How To Choose A Probate Solicitor: Know The Complete Details

Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult time. It can be made more stressful if you are the person responsible for making funeral arrangements, organising the property and legal affairs of the relative who has passed away. 

Whether you need a Solicitor to fully deal with all aspect of someone’s estate from start to finish, require some assistance with obtaining probate so that you can manage the process yourself or need to speak to someone to ask a few questions or clarify points – it can be difficult to know where to turn. Especially when you are grieving, and your mind is elsewhere.

Here are a few considerations when choosing a solicitor to deal with probate / winding up an estate:

1. Was there a Will left by the deceased? 

This is very important to know at the beginning. If you find that they did make a valid Will with a firm of Solicitors, then you may wish to remain with that same firm – however, often people have moved around since making their Will, or you may have your own local Solicitors that you would prefer to use. 

You do not have to use the same Solicitor that wrote the Will. If they made a Will with a Will Writer or company that doesn’t offer probate services, then you will need to instruct a Solicitor.

2. Choose a Local Person 

It may be easier for you to use a local firm of solicitors specialising in wills near Wexham or whoever is responsible for the estate as an executor. There will be quite a bit of paperwork involved, including original documents and ID requirements that are more practical to do face-to-face. 

It can be helpful to have meetings in person rather than dealing with things over the phone and email because it is such a personal and upsetting time when you lose a family member or partner. It just makes the experience a little more personable.

3. Conduct Your Research

Nowadays, we have many products and services to choose from. Take some time to look up Solicitors, check their websites and read reviews from real clients to see what they say about the firm’s service. Google Reviews is a great starting point.

4. Choose Someone You Feel Comfortable With 

This is an emotionally difficult time, and it is important to feel supported at all angles. Although your Solicitor cannot provide emotional support, it is helpful to have someone who is sympathetic, nice and understands your situation.

5. Choose a Specialist

Estates can be complex – especially if there are properties, Trusts, pensions, investments or complicated family structures involved. It is important to choose a Solicitor that specialises in Private Client or Wills and Probate work. Many law firms will have a specialist department dedicated to this area of the law. 

Choosing a specialist will help to avoid running into any difficulties or needing to get additional advice at an extra cost.

Find the Top probate solicitors near Windsor

Our probate solicitors near Windsor help families across the Windsor to navigate the administration and the sometimes-stressful process of probate when someone has died. 

They offer a compassionate, personal service, backed by years of experience and expertise. If you need some assistance dealing with the Will or winding up of a loved one’s affairs, then please get in touch so that we can offer our advice. 

We also deal with families or individuals who are in a dispute regarding the Will or inheritance of a loved one who has passed away. If there are questionable circumstances around changes to a Will, upset about someone being unfairly left out of a Will, a conflict about how the estate is being managed by executors or complicated family relationships have caused the probate to come to a halt – please contact us to find a way forward.