Wills and Probate
Wills & Probate Solicitors
Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your legacy and provide security for your loved ones. At Ally Randall Solicitors, our experienced private client solicitors advise clients on Wills, Codicils, Probate, estate administration, inheritance tax matters and executor responsibilities.
Based in Northwood Hills, we support clients across Northwood, Pinner, Harrow, Rickmansworth, Watford, Ruislip, Eastcote and surrounding London areas. For clear advice, contact our Wills and Probate solicitors today.
Service Overview
Planning for Your Future with Confidence
At Ally Randall Solicitors, we provide clear, practical and compassionate legal advice designed to give you peace of mind. Whether you want to prepare a Will, update an existing Will, deal with a loved one’s estate or understand the probate process, our team can guide you with care and attention to detail.
We understand that Wills and Probate matters often involve important family decisions, sensitive circumstances and long-term financial planning. Our role is to explain your options clearly, help you make informed decisions and ensure your wishes are recorded properly.
At Ally Randall Solicitors, we provide clear, practical, and compassionate legal advice designed to give you complete peace of mind—helping you protect your estate, secure your assets, and ensure your wishes are fully understood and legally honoured with confidence, care, and absolute attention to detail at every step.
Wills and Codicils
A professionally drafted Will helps ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes. It can also help reduce uncertainty, avoid unnecessary disputes and provide clear instructions for your executors and beneficiaries.
A well-prepared Will can help you:
- Decide who should inherit your estate
- Appoint executors to administer your estate
- Appoint guardians for minor children
- Make gifts to family, friends or charities
- Set up trusts for long-term asset management
- Reduce the risk of disputes after death
- Provide clarity for loved ones at a difficult time
Our Wills and Probate solicitors can help you prepare a Will that reflects your wishes and personal circumstances.
Review your Will:
We recommend reviewing your Will every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if there has been a major life event. This helps ensure your Will remains up to date and continues to reflect your wishes.
You should consider reviewing your Will after:
- Marriage or civil partnership
- Divorce or separation
- The birth or adoption of children
- The death of a beneficiary or executor
- Buying or selling property
- Significant changes in assets or finances
- Starting or selling a business
- Moving to a new country or acquiring overseas assets
If you need to update your Will, our team can advise whether a Codicil is suitable or whether a new Will would be more appropriate.
Clients preparing or reviewing a Will may also wish to consider Power of Attorney advice for future decision-making.
Estate Administration and Probate
Probate is the legal process of administering a person’s estate after they have died. This may include identifying assets and liabilities, dealing with inheritance tax, applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, paying debts and distributing the estate to beneficiaries.
If there is a valid Will, the executors named in the Will are usually responsible for administering the estate. If there is no Will, the estate may need to be administered under the intestacy rules and a close relative may need to apply for Letters of Administration.
At Ally Randall Solicitors, our probate team provides practical legal support to executors, administrators and beneficiaries, helping make the process clearer and less stressful.
For guidance with estate administration, speak to our probate solicitors.
How Our Probate Solicitors Can Help
Our specialist team can support you throughout the probate and estate administration process.
We can assist with:
- Checking whether there is a valid Will
- Advising executors and administrators on their duties
- Identifying estate assets and liabilities
- Valuing property, savings, investments and personal assets
- Reviewing jointly owned assets and overseas assets
- Preparing probate applications
- Applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
- Assisting with inheritance tax calculations and payments
- Preparing estate accounts
- Communicating with beneficiaries
- Distributing estate assets correctly
- Advising on Deeds of Variation where appropriate
If the estate includes property, our team can also assist with related residential conveyancing or commercial conveyancing matters.
Key Steps in the Probate Process
Will Verification
The first step is to check whether there is a valid Will and whether it is the latest version. If a Will exists, the named executors will usually be responsible for administering the estate.
Asset and Liability Review
The deceased person’s assets and debts must be identified and valued. This may include bank accounts, property, investments, personal possessions, business interests, jointly owned assets and overseas assets.
Probate Application
The appropriate application must be prepared for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Where inheritance tax is due, or where full estate details are required, HMRC forms and inheritance tax reporting may also be needed.
Post-Grant Administration
Once the Grant has been issued, executors or administrators can collect assets, sell property where required, pay debts, settle tax matters and continue with the administration of the estate.
Beneficiary Communication and Distribution
Estate accounts should be prepared and beneficiaries should be kept informed. Once liabilities and tax matters have been dealt with, the estate can be distributed according to the Will or intestacy rules.
Cost Structure
| Probate Fees | |
| Excepted or Non-Taxable Estate | £900 – £3,000 plus VAT |
| Taxable or Complex Estate | £2,400 – £6,000 plus VAT |
| Estate Administration Fees | 0.75% – 2.5% of the gross estate value, subject to a minimum fee of £1,500, plus an hourly rate of £120 – £350 plus VAT where applicable. |
| Common Disbursements | |
| Probate Application Fee | £300 if the estate is over £5,000. No probate application fee is payable if the estate is £5,000 or less. |
| Additional Copies of the Grant | £16 per additional copy. |
| Bankruptcy Land Charges Department Searches | Usually £2 per beneficiary. |
| Notices in The London Gazette | Usually from £80, subject to publication charges. |
| Local Newspaper Notices | Usually £120 – £200, depending on the publication. |
Fees are a guide only and may vary depending on the complexity of the estate, inheritance tax position, number of beneficiaries, property matters, third-party costs and any additional work required.
Why Choose Ally Randall Solicitors for Wills and Probate?
Our team provides clear, compassionate and practical legal advice for Wills, Probate, estate administration and future planning matters.
Clear Advice in Plain English
We explain Wills, Probate and estate administration in clear language so you understand your options and responsibilities.
Sensitive and Supportive Guidance
We understand that probate matters often arise during a difficult time. Our team provides calm, professional and compassionate support throughout the process.
Experienced Private Client Team
Our private client team advises on Wills, Codicils, Probate, estate administration, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection matters and related future planning issues.
Local Solicitors in Northwood Hills
Based in Northwood Hills, we assist clients across Northwood, Pinner, Harrow, Rickmansworth, Watford, Ruislip, Eastcote and nearby London areas.
Practical Future Planning
We help clients protect their wishes, plan ahead and reduce uncertainty for loved ones through carefully prepared legal documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Wills, Probate, estate administration and executor support.
What does a Wills and Probate solicitor do?
A Wills and Probate solicitor helps clients prepare Wills, update existing Wills, apply for Probate, administer estates, advise executors and deal with inheritance tax, estate accounts and beneficiary distributions.
Why should I make a Will?
Making a Will allows you to decide who should inherit your estate, who should act as executor and who should care for minor children. Without a valid Will, the law decides how your estate is distributed.
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process of administering someone’s estate after death. It may involve applying for a Grant of Probate, collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, preparing estate accounts and distributing assets to beneficiaries.
Do I need Probate if there is a Will?
Probate may still be needed even if there is a Will, depending on the type and value of assets in the estate. Banks, financial institutions or property ownership arrangements may require a Grant of Probate before assets can be released.
What happens if someone dies without a Will?
If someone dies without a valid Will, they are said to have died intestate. The estate will usually be distributed according to intestacy rules, and a close relative may need to apply for Letters of Administration.
Can Ally Randall Solicitors help executors?
Yes, Ally Randall Solicitors can advise executors on their legal duties, probate applications, inheritance tax, estate accounts, beneficiary communication and estate distribution.
How much does Probate cost?
Probate costs depend on the complexity of the estate, whether inheritance tax is involved, the number of assets, beneficiaries and any property matters. For a tailored quote, contact our Wills and Probate solicitors.
Speak to Our Wills and Probate Experts
Get clear, reliable legal advice for your Will, Probate or estate administration matter today.
Whether you want to prepare a Will, update an existing Will, apply for Probate, deal with estate administration or understand your duties as an executor, Ally Randall Solicitors can provide practical guidance tailored to your circumstances.
Contact our Wills and Probate solicitors to request a consultation.