Full Assistance For Executors From Probate Experts
Avery Associates’ aim is to help executors carry out the directions of a deceased person’s will, which may include bequests, handwritten wishes, or gifts. Some executors may not be legal professionals and may find administering the testator’s estate somewhat daunting. Here is some useful information on the legal processes involved in dealing with the goods and chattels that form part of the estate, along with key things to avoid.
All-Inclusive Range Of Probate Valuation Services
Currently supporting a large number of law firms in the UK and with over 20 years’ experience working alongside solicitors, private executors and legal professionals, we are experts at providing a full range of services including, HMRC compliant probate reports of chattels and property, detailed reports including bequests, gifts and deceased wishes, sale of houses or commercial premises through auction or via one of our network of estate agents, complete reinstatement of land, garden and grounds, will search, document retrieval, trauma and deep cleaning, vehicle disposal and sale.
Avoid HMRC Investigation While Dealing With Probate
We have provided a link to explain the things to avoid while obtaining valuations for probate, which can be found below http://www.averyassociates.co.uk/critical-use-rics-registered-valuers-iht-section-160-house-contents-valuations/
How To Arrange Probate Property And Contents Valuations
You may have arrived at this page after reading HMRC guidelines or because you have been requested by your solicitor to obtain an official typed, written probate valuation report, produced on headed note paper, which confirms to the authorities the open market value of the goods and chattels of the estate for probate purposes.
Avery Associates Can Help Executors Through The Probate Process
It is difficult to know where to begin when faced with the house contents, personal possessions and belongings of a relative, beloved friend or client, but there are a number of practical considerations which arise from a bereavement, and with our many years of experience, we can assist you by reducing the administrative burden involved.
Useful Information On Our Probate Valuation Services
The purpose of the following information is to explain the process of obtaining probate or letters of administration, and the services which Avery Associates can provide which can assist you in your function as an executor or administrator.
We Help Executors Deal With The Deceased Wishes In A Will
If you are named as an executor in a will, whether or not you are a beneficiary, it will be your task to take control of the deceased person’s assets and distribute them according to his or her wishes. In many cases, the executor will not be a legal professional but a relative or friend of the deceased.
Applying The Courts For Grant Of Probate
Your right to deal with the goods, chattels (the possessions contained in the dwelling which are not part of the fabric of the property) and other assets does not derive directly from the will itself, but as the named executor you have the right to apply to the courts for a grant of probate, and in order to do this, you will require, amongst other documents, a valuation of the contents of the deceased’s home. This document, known as a written open market valuation report or chattels valuation for IHT calculations and probate purposes, will need to be submitted to the courts and the tax authorities for Inheritance Tax calculations.
You Will Need Letters Of Administration To Wind Up The Estate
If the deceased did not leave a will, probate cannot be granted. Instead, the court appoints a relative to administer the property and distribute the assets in accordance with the law. The relative in this case is granted letters of administration, and is legally known as the Administrator.
Avery Associates “One Stop Shop” And Full Probate Assistance
Avery Associates, have over 35 years’ experience in assisting executors, and we do this by first valuing the house contents, any vehicles, valuable collections, the property itself and providing the documentation in a format which will mean that it is unlikely that the valuation will be queried by HMRC, which will result in the reduced risk of financial penalties and fewer delays in the granting of probate.
Even Low Value Estates Need Valuations, Dont Gamble With HMRC
Please note: it is advisable for a written market valuation for the purposes of probate to be obtained, even if the contents have little or no value, as the court needs to be made aware of this. In addition, it is always possible that there may be valuable items which can be missed by the untrained eye.
Accurate Valuation By Professionals Safeguard Executors From Investigation
Another important reason for obtaining a valuation of chattels is that an overvaluation by untrained individuals and unqualified valuers could result in challenge, investigation as well as increased tax liability. This is the reason that solicitors normally insist that a professional valuation is obtained from a reputable firm of RICS valuers. Avery Associates currently support over one hundred law firms with their valuation requirements.
All valuations are carried out by our RICS Chartered Surveyors, to ensure an accurate valuation.
Avery Associates Offer The Additional Services
We can then offer additional services, including
- The complete clearance of the property, including cases where the premises are extremely cluttered, possibly as the result of hoarding.
- Transportation of items you wish to retain to a destination of your choice.
- Clearance and reinstatement of gardens
- Deep cleaning, where the property has been neglected, possibly as the result of illness or disability.
- Probate House Clearance
Our aim is to simplify the process of dealing with this aspect of estate administration, and to assist executors and administrators to ensure that the property is ready for sale or transfer to a landlord, with the minimum of fuss and effort, thereby relieving relatives and executors of at least a part of the administrative burden of dealing with a bereavement.
This page contains a brief explanation of the probate process, and is not an authoritative statement of the law. For more detailed information, we will be pleased to recommend a solicitor who can assist you further.
For more information, visit our Executors Probate Valuation FAQs page or call us on 0800 567 7769.
