PROMOTION Applying for probate during the coronavirus outbreak Debenhams Ottaway... the trusted law firm W /ith the doors to most banks, building societies and law firms elosed across the UK, many people have been left concerned about how to deal with their loved one's Relationships Authenticity People estate. We have put together some FAQs to help you apply for probate from home. Personal Legal Advice IWills, Trusts and Inheritance I Private Wealth I Family & Divorce I Residential Conveyancing I Lifetime Planning I Personal Injury I Commercial law services Can I still get a grant of probate during the UK's lockdown? Yes. You can apply for probate by speaking to one of our probate solicitors over the telephone, who will help you to get your application sorted as quickly and safely as possible. We will work with you to gather as much information about your loved one's estate as possble and prepare your application. We will then send it to you in the post to sign. Once you are content, your application can be submitted to the probate registry. Your grant of probate will then be sent in the post to you as soon as it is been approved. Can a solicitor still help me apply for probate? Yes. Although our offices are currently closed, we are offering all the same services as normal and our team can help you sort out probate over the telephone or online. Once your application has been submitted and approved by the probate registry, your grant of probate or grant of letters of administration will be sent out to you in the post. How do you register a death during the lockdown? Most register offices across the UK are offering telephone appolntments to register a death. Ir's important to register a death within 5 days. You can find your local register office's contact mumber on the Govermment's website www.gov.uk/register-offices. You can then set up a telephone appointment to register the death. The appointment is free, but it is E11 for each death certificate, which will be sent to you in the post. How is a property valued when estate agents are closed? Estimates can be used while physical valuations are difficult to obtain. You can get an online valuation by going to Purplebricks' free valuation page on their website or Zoopla. Proper valuations may still be needed at some point especially if an estate is liable to pay inheritance tax or if it is close to the threshold. How do you calculate the value of someone's estate when the banks are closed? Due to the coronavinus lockdown, banks and building societies across the country are closed. You will not be able to go to your local branch to enquire about your loved one's account. However, they are available by telephone. Can you administer an estate during the coronavirus lockdown? Yes. After receiving your grant of probate or grant of administration, you can close the accounts, sell the property, subject to below, and collect funds from the estate in one place. You can deal with banks over the telephone, but you will need to send them the grant via post. There can be different requirements depending on the institution, but most are adapting to the change in circumstances. Selling the property may be a little more difficult. The most up to date advice from the Government is to delay if you haven't exchanged contracts, Tel 01727 837161 Pioase contact the team at Dobenhams Ottaway it you have any questions about administering an estate or want to speak to a probate specialist about your situation on 01727 837161. debenhamsottaway.co.uk Susan Glenholme DEBENHAMS OTTAWAY Wills, trusts and probate partner T: 01727 735636 Your pirotionis ore our inspintion E: sgedebenhamsottaway.co.uk W: debenhamsottaway.co.uk PROMOTION Applying for probate during the coronavirus outbreak Debenhams Ottaway... the trusted law firm W /ith the doors to most banks, building societies and law firms elosed across the UK, many people have been left concerned about how to deal with their loved one's Relationships Authenticity People estate. We have put together some FAQs to help you apply for probate from home. Personal Legal Advice IWills, Trusts and Inheritance I Private Wealth I Family & Divorce I Residential Conveyancing I Lifetime Planning I Personal Injury I Commercial law services Can I still get a grant of probate during the UK's lockdown? Yes. You can apply for probate by speaking to one of our probate solicitors over the telephone, who will help you to get your application sorted as quickly and safely as possible. We will work with you to gather as much information about your loved one's estate as possble and prepare your application. We will then send it to you in the post to sign. Once you are content, your application can be submitted to the probate registry. Your grant of probate will then be sent in the post to you as soon as it is been approved. Can a solicitor still help me apply for probate? Yes. Although our offices are currently closed, we are offering all the same services as normal and our team can help you sort out probate over the telephone or online. Once your application has been submitted and approved by the probate registry, your grant of probate or grant of letters of administration will be sent out to you in the post. How do you register a death during the lockdown? Most register offices across the UK are offering telephone appolntments to register a death. Ir's important to register a death within 5 days. You can find your local register office's contact mumber on the Govermment's website www.gov.uk/register-offices. You can then set up a telephone appointment to register the death. The appointment is free, but it is E11 for each death certificate, which will be sent to you in the post. How is a property valued when estate agents are closed? Estimates can be used while physical valuations are difficult to obtain. You can get an online valuation by going to Purplebricks' free valuation page on their website or Zoopla. Proper valuations may still be needed at some point especially if an estate is liable to pay inheritance tax or if it is close to the threshold. How do you calculate the value of someone's estate when the banks are closed? Due to the coronavinus lockdown, banks and building societies across the country are closed. You will not be able to go to your local branch to enquire about your loved one's account. However, they are available by telephone. Can you administer an estate during the coronavirus lockdown? Yes. After receiving your grant of probate or grant of administration, you can close the accounts, sell the property, subject to below, and collect funds from the estate in one place. You can deal with banks over the telephone, but you will need to send them the grant via post. There can be different requirements depending on the institution, but most are adapting to the change in circumstances. Selling the property may be a little more difficult. The most up to date advice from the Government is to delay if you haven't exchanged contracts, Tel 01727 837161 Pioase contact the team at Dobenhams Ottaway it you have any questions about administering an estate or want to speak to a probate specialist about your situation on 01727 837161. debenhamsottaway.co.uk Susan Glenholme DEBENHAMS OTTAWAY Wills, trusts and probate partner T: 01727 735636 Your pirotionis ore our inspintion E: sgedebenhamsottaway.co.uk W: debenhamsottaway.co.uk