Applying for Probate

What do I do When Someone Dies?

Google Rating
5.0
Based on 175 reviews
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The loss of a friend or loved one can be a very stressful time with many people needing to be notified in the first few days.

In addition to the immediate tasks you need to attend to, such as arranging the funeral, there is a lot of paperwork to be dealt with and official documents which need to be completed over the next few weeks.

Let Us help

One of the duties you may have to undertake is applying for Probate. This can often be a complex and extremely time consuming process and needs attending to at a time when you may not feel able to perform this task.

Our preferred partner are experts in dealing with all aspects of Probate.

Their specialist Probate Team have a sympathetic and patient approach when dealing with bereaved relatives and will happily arrange a visit to discuss your requirements, in the comfort of your own home.

Our partners’ online system allows you to see the letters and documentation sent and received by the Probate team at any time and so, provides you with both up to date information and total transparency in all dealings.

Our partner provides a Fixed Fee Probate Service, which unlike Solicitors and many other Legal companies, usually charge an hourly rate, (typically from around £250 to £300 per hour), which is open ended, in addition to charging a fixed percentage of the gross estate value!!

This could be a considerable saving on the fees you would typically need to pay a High Street Bank or Solicitor

Some of our Google Reviews

Frog Financial Management
5.0
Based on 175 reviews
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If you're looking for mortgage, insurance or any other financial protection advice, you really couldn't do any better than Greg, Charley and the rest of the Frog team. Since putting our house on the market, Greg was very quick to respond and generous with his time - always explaining things clearly and what our options were. With Frog's support, we had trust that we were making the right choices for our family.
Owen Adkins
Owen Adkins
1728940246
We have just recently finalised the purchase of our house and I can't thank Frog Financial enough! They made buying our first home so easy and stress free. Greg was really helpful during the process and took time to explain things in detail as this was all new to us.Charlie was amazing when it came to helping us find The right home insurance at The best price. The rest of the frog financial team were also helpful and so responsive to our emails. I really cannot recommend them enough to anyone who needs help
Louise Wilson
Louise Wilson
1728923689
The team at Frog are oustanding. A big thanks to Charley (who is amazing) at helping with my home insurance.Thank you very much
John Vassallo
John Vassallo
1727261810
I can't thank Frog Financial enough! They made buying our first home so easy and stress free. Greg was so helpful throughout the whole process and really took time to explain things in detail. The rest of the team were also super helpful and proactive and so responsive to our emails and phone calls. I honestly cannot recommend them enough!
Tom Harding
Tom Harding
1727018918
Greg, Ruth & the whole team at Frog Financial have been amazing at securing mortgages for myself and my sister. We have had lots of changes & challenges and they have been very helpful & quick at responding to multiple questions! For myself, being self employed, Greg worked wonders to find a lender that worked. Fingers crossed until it all completes!
sarah heduan
sarah heduan
1725377138
I highly recommend Frog Financial Management. Charley is fantastic, so helpful and sorts us out every year. Than you
Lesley Ashton
Lesley Ashton
1724154889
Can't recommend Craig and his team enough! Amazing family ran business who will work tirelessly to provide you the best service. Got us exactly what we wanted and was always just a phone call away if we had any queries or needed some advice and support.Will definitely be using them again.
Sacha Podda
Sacha Podda
1724067412
I could not recommend using Frog financials more!They are quick to reply to any queries via email and on the phone. They provide well informed advice and are exceptionally friendly when answering questions.I will definitely be using them again in the future!
Katie Bryden
Katie Bryden
1723557747
Greg and the team have been super helpful throughout the whole mortgage process! Greg has explained each part of the application with great detail to make sure we understand it fully. They were prompt in their replies and made this a completely stress-free experience, highly recommend!
Emma Hooley
Emma Hooley
1722871153
Very professional and knowledgeable service with great detail and kindness, I have been using frog services now for 12 years and am very happy with the products they find for me
Paul Singh
Paul Singh
1721049224
After trying various agents and insurers, Frog FM was able to secure exactly what I needed and for a reasonable premium. Professional and friendly service. I know who to go to first next time!
Simon Gardner
Simon Gardner
1720201499
I first contacted Frog several years ago and they are now my "go to" company for all financial matters and advice. I have always found them friendly, efficient and easy to deal with, and I applaud their ability to convert "financial jargon" into everyday understandable language.I also especially appreciate that they will contact and remind me when I need to review some aspect of my finances. I can without hesitation fully recommend Frog and all their team members
Roger James
Roger James
1719570412
Charley and Danni have been exceptional in assisting me with managing my insurance requirements. They offer an outstanding and effortless service.
Alex Woodford
Alex Woodford
1718270992
Amazing.Charley and Greg were amazing in listening to my needs and being able to offer the best solution for me.Thank you Charley for your patience with me. You have been incredible.I like the fact that they are a local company.I strongly recommend them.
mireille lavollee
mireille lavollee
1718203179
I have used Frog Financial for several mortgages and cannot recommend them enough. Extremely helpful, professional and efficient and always going above and beyond to make the process as smooth as possible and finding the best options for me. Everyone in the team is brilliant to work with and I will of course be using them for all future mortgages! Sam x
Samantha Simpson
Samantha Simpson
1713710984
I dealt with Greg to get a mortgage on my first property - he was fantastic, helped educate me on the process as well as coming up with outside of the box solutions, really happy with the service and will 100% use him again in the future.
Tom Evans
Tom Evans
1713279680
An exceptional service given. Everyone we have spoken with has gone above and beyond to help us and answer all questions we have. Can not recommend Frog financial management enough and will be using them again in the future.Helena & Jason
Jason Benn
Jason Benn
1712763206
Greg and the team at Frog Financial have been excellent with finding me a mortgage a couple of years ago and managing the renewal recently. They have been able to find the best deals in the market and provide good options and advice based on our conversations. They are friendly, attentive and responsive and I highly recommend them.
Carl Goodman
Carl Goodman
1712568081
Amazing team could not have done it without them.
Grace Kearns
Grace Kearns
1711487336
Excellent service from Charley on a non-standard building and contents insurance. She was prompt, and knowledgeable, and helped clarify various issues
andrew grant duff
andrew grant duff
1709556163
Phenomenal service. I have and will recommend Frog Financial to everyone. Informative, helpful, great communication, so kind, and we really felt like the whole team cared about us. Took so much of the stress out of the process. We have no doubt that we will use Frog again! 🐸
Elena Prokopiou
Elena Prokopiou
1708805074
Arranged our mortgage deal and building insurance with Frog. They were really helpful throughout the whole process and we would have no hesitation at all recommending to others.
William Oakes
William Oakes
1708085925
Just the best, Greg helped me find a mortgage for my first property when other mortgage brokers couldn't find one to fit my needs. They were great answering any questions I had and helped me a lot throughout the house buying process. Also helped find and set up house insurance. Will be continuing to use them in the future and I highly recommend them.
K.K. Gres
K.K. Gres
1707130758
I was directed to Frog Financial in September 2018 and received excellent financial advice and general guidance. Since then I have requested them to investigate house insurance for me and have always signed up to the suggested policies.I would have no hesitation in suggesting they are approached by my friends to discuss their requirements.
Dave Shirvell
Dave Shirvell
1706109059
Charley was fantastic to work with. She was super efficient, working swiftly to find the best deal and to make it happen. I would be thrilled to recommend her and Frog Financial.
Jackie Samuel
Jackie Samuel
1705480246
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Read through our short guide to the Grant of Probate

When someone dies, it can be a very difficult and confusing time and you cannot be expected to do everything right away.

In the first five days, it is important that you do the following:

  • Notify the deceased’s family Doctor.
  • Contact a Funeral Director to commence funeral arrangements (you will need to check any Will for any special requests or Pre-Paid Funeral arrangements which may have already been made).
  • Register the death at The Registry Office.
  • Advise any departments who may have been making payments to the deceased, such as tax credits, benefits, pensions, etc.

As soon as possible you should:

  • Contact the Executors of any Will to enable them to start the process of obtaining Probate.
  • If there is no Will the you should decide who will apply to sort out the deceased’s affairs and apply for Letters of Administration.

You will also need to contact relatives and people close to the deceased, for a full list of who to contact go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/ select Government Citizens and Rights – then Death and Bereavement and What to Do After a Death.

In this case one or more Executors may be named in the Will to deal with the person’s affairs after their death. The Executor applies for a ‘Grant of Probate’ from a section of the court known as the Probate Registry. The Grant is a legal document which confirms that the Executor has the authority to deal with the deceased person’s assets (property, money and possessions). They can use it to show they have the right to access funds, sort out finances, and collect and share out the deceased person’s assets as set out in the Will.

If there is no Will, a close relative of the deceased can apply to the Probate Registry to deal with the estate. In this case, they apply for a ‘Grant of Letters of Administration’. If the Grant is given, they are known as ‘Administrators’ of the Estate. Like the Grant of Probate, the Grant of Letters of Administration is a legal document which confirms the Administrator’s authority to deal with the deceased person’s assets.

If someone dies without making a Will, they are said to have died ‘Intestate’. If this happens, the law sets out who should deal with the deceased’s affairs and who should inherit their estate (property, personal possessions and money). This information covers England and Wales only.

When someone dies without leaving a Will, dealing with their estate can be complicated. It can also take a long time; months, or even years in some very complex cases.

Usually a close relative like a spouse, child or parent will have the legal right to sort out the estate of the person who has died.

In order to be able to administer someone’s estate, you normally need to apply to the Probate Registry for a ‘Grant of Letters of Administration’.

On receipt of the Grant you become the ‘Administrator’ of the Estate. The Grant provides proof to banks, building societies and other organisations that you have authority to access and distribute funds that were held in the deceased’s name. The overall process is often referred to as ‘obtaining probate’, though technically, this term applies where there was a Will.

These Grants appoint people known as ‘Personal Representatives’ to administer the deceased person’s estate.

A Grant is almost always needed when the person who dies leaves one or more of the following:

  • £5,000.
  • Stocks or shares.
  • Certain insurance policies.
  • Property or land held in their own name or as ‘Tenants in Common’.

In most cases above, the bank or relevant institution will need to see the Grant before transferring control of the Assets. However, if the estate is small, some organisations, such as insurance companies and building societies, may release the money to you at their discretion.

If the deceased’s estate is below £5,000, and doesn’t contain any land, property or shares, then it may be possible to deal with it without obtaining a Grant. Also, a Grant might not be needed if the whole of the estate is held in joint names and passes automatically to the surviving joint owner.

In some cases, for example, where the person who benefits is a child, the law states that more than one person must act as the Administrator.

To establish whether the Assets can be obtained without a Grant, the Executor or Administrator would need to write to each institution, informing them of the death and enclosing a photocopy of the death certificate (and Will if there is one).

The personal representative won’t be granted Probate until some or all of any Inheritance Tax that is due on the estate has been paid.

Applies to England and Wales.

If the person who died lived in Scotland, you must apply for a ‘Grant of Confirmation’.

To discuss how we can support your Probate needs
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH US TODAY