10 Wills and Probate
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5. What does an executor or administrator do?
7. Will I have to pay inheritance tax?
8. Who takes charge if there is no will?
9. Who gets the estate if there is no will?
10. What can I do if I think there is something wrong with the will?
11. What can I do if I think the will is unfair?
12. What if there isn´t enough money to pay for the funeral?
13. What if there isn´t enough money to pay the person´s debts?
14. Terms used in wills and probate matters
15. Further help
Probate registries
There are probate registries in cities and larger towns. The Probate and Inheritance Tax Helpline will tell you where your nearest registry is, and can also answer questions and send you information about applying for probate or letters of administration.
phone: 0845 302 0900
There is also a list or probate registries on the Courts Service website.
Social Security
For more information about getting financial help if the person who died did not have enough money to pay for their funeral, contact your local Social Security Office. It is listed in the phone book under 'Job Centre Plus'. Ask for leaflet SB16.
The Law Society
phone: 020 7242 1222
London Gazette
phone: 0870 600 5522
Citizens Advice
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau is listed in the phone book
The Community Legal Service
The Community Legal Service has been set up to help you find the right legal information and advice to solve your problems.
You can get help through a national network of organisations including Citizens Advice Bureaux, Law Centres, many independent advice centres and thousands of high street solicitors. All of these services meet quality standards set by the Legal Services Commission, look for the Community Legal Service logo:
Many of the organisations offer some or all of the their services for free. If you cannot afford to pay for advice you may be eligible for financial support through the Community Legal Service Fund (Legal Aid). You can order leaflets about funding from the LSC Leaflet line on 0845 3000 343.
You can use the Directory on the Community Legal Advice website http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/ to find details of quality assured advice providers.
The Legal Services Commission (LSC)
The Community Legal Service and the Community Legal Service Fund are managed by the Legal Services Commission. To find out more about us visit our website at http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/ or find the details for your local Legal Services Commission office in the phone book.
More about the CLS Quality Mark
Use the
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This leaflet is published by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). It was written in association with Paul Elmhirst, a solicitor specialising in wills and probate.
Leaflet version: July 2007
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