Probate Solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester
When someone close to you passes away, dealing with their estate can feel overwhelming on top of everything else. Whether there’s a Will or not, Probate is the legal process that gives someone the authority to administer the estate, and our Probate solicitors are here to help, taking on as much or as little of the process as you need.
Call us on 0330 111 3131 or get in touch via our online enquiry form. We’ll give you straightforward advice on where you stand and what it’s likely to cost.
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone’s estate after they die: identifying and valuing their assets, paying debts and any tax due, and distributing what’s left to the beneficiaries. Where there’s a valid Will, the named executor applies for a Grant of Probate; where there isn’t, a close family member applies for Letters of Administration instead.
Either document gives the personal representative the legal authority to access accounts, sell property, and otherwise deal with the estate. Without it, banks and other institutions generally won’t release funds or transfer assets, whatever paperwork you can otherwise show them.
The Probate process step by step
Once we have the paperwork we need, the process follows a fairly consistent path.
Valuing the estate: We identify and value the assets and debts, needed both for the Probate application and for calculating any inheritance tax due.
Applying for the Grant: We prepare and submit the application to the Probate Registry, along with any inheritance tax return required.
Collecting in the assets: Once the Grant is issued, we close accounts, sell property where needed, and gather in the estate’s assets.
Settling debts and distributing: We pay any outstanding debts and tax, then distribute what’s left to the beneficiaries in line with the Will or the intestacy rules.
Straightforward estates can often be dealt with in a few months. More complex estates, with property to sell, multiple beneficiaries, or assets abroad, typically take longer, often 6 to 12 months from start to finish.
How much of the process do you need us for?
Some clients want us to handle everything; others just need help with a specific task, such as the inheritance tax return or dealing with a particular asset, while they manage the rest themselves. We’re happy to work either way, and we’ll be upfront about what makes sense given the size and complexity of the estate. There’s no benefit to us taking on more than you actually need, and we’d rather you felt in control of the process than handed it over out of habit.
Inheritance tax and Probate
Inheritance tax must generally be paid within 6 months of the death, or HMRC starts charging interest, and in many cases some or all of it needs to be paid before the Grant of Probate is even issued. This can create a genuine cash-flow problem if the estate’s money is tied up in property.
Executors can sometimes access funds directly from the deceased’s accounts to pay the tax, or arrange a short-term loan against the estate, before the Grant comes through. We can talk you through the options that fit your specific situation, see our inheritance tax solicitors page for more detail on inheritance tax generally. Getting this timing right matters: interest builds up from day one after the deadline, regardless of how complicated the estate turns out to be.
When there’s no Will
When someone dies without a valid Will, the process becomes more complicated. We can advise you on your legal rights, help you apply for Letters of Administration, and guide you through your responsibilities under the intestacy rules, which decide who inherits and in what order, regardless of what the person might have wanted.
When Probate becomes contentious
Most estates are administered without any dispute, but occasionally questions arise about a Will’s validity, or someone feels they’ve been unfairly excluded. This is more common than people expect, particularly in blended families or where a Will was changed shortly before death. If that happens on an estate you’re dealing with, or you’re concerned it might, see our Contentious Probate solicitors page.
Probate solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester
Our Manchester, Sale and Chester Probate solicitors are trusted by clients across the UK to provide clear, expert Probate advice, even in the most complex cases. We also act for clients overseas dealing with a UK estate.
Our offices in Manchester, Sale and Chester are open for face-to-face meetings, and we work with clients across the UK and overseas, with appointments available at our other locations in London, Liverpool, Leeds, York and Sheffield when that’s more convenient for you.
Why choose Slater Heelis for Probate
We’ve been advising families across the North West for over 250 years, and we’re listed in The Times Best Law Firms for 2026 and recognised by The Legal 500 as one of the leading firms in the North West.
Straight-talking advice: No jargon, no hedging, just a clear explanation of your options and what they’re likely to cost.
Genuinely experienced team: Alex Sealy leads our Wills, Trusts and Probate team, and several of our Private Client partners are members of STEP and Solicitors for the Elderly.
Rated by real clients: Over 1,900 five-star reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 average rating on ReviewSolicitors.
Dealing with an estate?
Get in touch and we’ll explain what’s involved and what it’s likely to cost, in a straightforward first conversation. Call us on 0330 111 3131, or get in touch via our online enquiry form.
Straightforward estates can often be dealt with in a few months. More complex estates, involving property, multiple beneficiaries or assets abroad, typically take 6 to 12 months, sometimes longer.
Do I need Probate if there's no property in the estate?
Not always. Some smaller estates, or those made up mostly of jointly-owned assets that pass automatically to a surviving owner, don’t need a formal Grant. We can quickly tell you whether your situation needs one.
Who can apply for Probate?
The executor named in a valid Will applies for the Grant of Probate. If there’s no Will, a close family member, usually the closest relative under the intestacy rules, applies for Letters of Administration instead.
How much does Probate cost?
Costs depend on the size and complexity of the estate. We can offer a fixed fee for straightforward matters or an hourly rate for more complex ones, and we’ll always confirm costs in writing before starting work. See our fees for more detail.
Can I be an executor if I live abroad?
Yes, though it can add practical complications around signing documents and accessing UK accounts. We regularly support executors based overseas and can advise on the smoothest way to manage this.
What happens if the executor doesn't want to act?
An executor can formally renounce their role if they haven’t already started acting in the position, allowing another executor, or an administrator, to take over instead.
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