Shelly Wainwright of Ansons Solicitors wills and probate team in Cannock, Staffordshire, explains: “This may not be true.”

It will depend on the value and the type of assets in the estate. You need to find out the full extent of the deceased’s estate before you decide if a grant of probate is needed. The usual assets that trigger the requirement for a grant of probate to be needed are shares or property. If the estate has these, then the grant will be needed for you to have the legal authority to deal with them. Obtaining probate can take a little while and it is better that you tackle it sooner rather than later. We can help and advise you through all the stages. The cost of instructing a solicitor to act on your behalf is a legitimate expense to be deducted from the estate and this means the executors will not be out of pocket in doing so.

For further, please contact Shelly Wainwright in the wills and probate team, on 01543 267984 or email swainwright@ansonsllp.com. Ansons Solicitors has offices in Cannock and Lichfield, Staffordshire.