Probate & Administration of Estates
Our long history of advising on trusts, wills and probate provides us with the practical experience and technical expertise to guide our clients through the challenging times when someone dies.
Probate and administration of estates
The highly experienced team guide you through the process ensuring that probate can be obtained efficiently. They have a wealth of experience in advising clients on UK and cross-border estates meaning that they are well placed to advise on:
- Cross-border estates for both UK domiciled and non-domiciled individuals
- Post death variations
- Taxes including inheritance tax, including business and agricultural property reliefs
- Intestacy
- Heritage assets and reliefs, conditional exemption and offers in lieu of tax
- Complex asset types
See here for further details and information on our fees.
Wills & Probate Disputes
Sadly, when someone dies, problems can occur. The Will itself might be unclear or not legally binding; family members or dependants may feel they have been unfairly treated and make a claim; or there may be a conflict with a Will from another country. In these circumstances, our highly rated Trust & Probate Disputes team are well placed to advise on how best to solve the problem.
Planning for the Future
Often, a death might impact on a business or trust structure and the probate team work closely with other Boodle Hatfield lawyers to review the structures in place for the heirs and beneficiaries.
Recommended reading
Private Client & Tax Senior Associate, Anna Davies explains the intricacies and importance of Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Read more 03 Feb 2026 Andrea Zavos speaks at Trusts and Estates Litigation ForumSenior Partner, Andrea Zavos will speak at the Trusts and Estates Litigation Forum on a panel exploring the evolving challenges facing trustees during periods of uncertainty. The session will highlight key emerging risks – including criminal investigations, privacy issues, governance failures and recent contentious decisions in Guernsey and Liechtenstein. She will be joined by Basil Zirinis, Johannes Gasser and Simon Davies.
Read more 28 Jan 2026 Leaving a lasting impact: The adviser’s role in guiding clients toward meaningful legaciesIn her guest blog for Remember A Charity, Private Wealth Partner Clare Stirzaker reflects on how philanthropy is becoming an increasingly thoughtful part of wealth planning. She shows how advisers now help clients frame their values and long‑term intentions, moving beyond a purely technical approach. Clare also emphasises that impactful giving relies on coordinated thinking across the advisory landscape, where legal, financial and investment professionals work together to support clients in shaping purposeful, well‑rounded legacy plans.
Read more 06 Jan 2026 Confirmation of £2.5m IHT relief threshold for farmers and businessesThe Finance Bill published yesterday confirms that, as we highlighted in our 23 December briefing, the increased £2.5m inheritance tax relief for agricultural and business property will apply from 6 April 2026. Qualifying ‘relevant property’ trusts can also benefit from 100% relief up to this threshold, aligning trustee allowances with individual transfers.
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