Probate

Here to support and guide you through every step

Personal Approach

Here to support you during a difficult time

Planning

Guidance on Estate, Inheritance Tax and Financial Planning

Clear Pricing

Easy and reasonable fees so you know what to expect

Collection and Distribution

Our team will accurately collect and distribute the estate assets

Estate Accounts

We will prepare the final accounts for the estate

Compliance

We will complete and submit the necessary forms to HMRC and the Court

What is Probate?

Put simply, Probate is a term used generically to refer to the process of dealing with the estate of a deceased person. Its purpose is to make sure all relevant taxes are collected, money owing to creditors is paid, debts owed to the deceased are collected, and the remaining assets from the estate are distributed to the relevant beneficiaries in accordance with their wishes.

As such, probate can be an incredibly complicated procedure. So, with this in mind, we have created a Probate and Estate Administration Guide to help explain what’s involved, and the terminology that you may hear or read.

Our Probate Guide also provides you with an insight as to the timescales, pricing and services that you can expect if you choose to work with us.

Meet our Probate Team

Sarah Alexander - Managing Director, Charities Independent Examination and Audit Services Specialist, and Solicitors Accounts Rules Audits Specialist — Managing Director
Sarah Alexander FCCA FCA

Tom Foster - Tax Chichester — Director of Tax
Tom Foster BSc (Hons) MSc ATT CTA

Tax and Probate Assistant
Ellie Finn BA GDL

Managing Director

Sarah Alexander FCCA FCA

Sarah has worked in the accountancy profession for in excess of 25 years, and been a partner/director for over 15 years.

As Managing Director of Lewis Brownlee, Sarah has a large and varied portfolio. Her passion is working with owner-managed SMEs to ensure they get the best out of their business and not pay a penny more in tax than absolutely necessary!

Clients have described Sarah as “professional and straight-talking”, and said her “approach is both refreshing and informative”.

Expertise:

Virtual FD/FC
Accountancy
Management accounting and bookkeeping, including budgeting and cashflow forecasting
Occupational pension schemes
Solicitors and professional firms
Charities
Subsidiaries of foreign parent companies

Director of Tax

Tom Foster BSc (Hons) MSc ATT CTA

Tom is the Head of Taxation at Lewis Brownlee. Having joined Lewis Brownlee from a top 20 firm in March 2014, he was promoted to the position of Tax Director in April 2017.

He has over 20 years’ experience as a general tax practitioner, during which time he has assisted both individuals and businesses to ensure their tax affairs are operated in an efficient and legitimate manner.

In his spare time, Tom enjoys sea fishing, playing cricket and spending time with his family.

Expertise:

Capital Gains Tax
IHT Planning
EMI Share Schemes
Property taxation
Personal tax planning
EIS and SEIS
Trusts and Estates
Research & Development
Tax investigations

Tax and Probate Assistant

Ellie Finn BA GDL

Ellie joined Lewis Brownlee in 2022 and within her role, she loves supporting clients with their Personal Tax or Capital Gains matters, and really enjoys the Probate and Estate Administration. Her expertise includes guiding clients through the Probate process, managing Estate Administration, and assisting with personal tax compliance.

Expertise:

Probate and Estate Administration
Private Client / Personal Tax

Ellie’s proudest personal achievement to date is buying her first property – a milestone she cherishes. Outside of work, Ellie enjoys horse riding, baking, and going on long hikes in the countryside.

Delivering Peace of Mind

Relieving you of the financial and legal responsibilities so you can focus on what matters

Get in touch

How can we help you?

Losing a loved one can be one of the most stressful and emotional times of your life. The last thing on your mind is dealing with the additional responsibilities of overseeing the legal and financial aspects of the deceased’s estate.

It is possible to undertake this process yourself. However, we have a dedicated team who can hold your hand and help you with every step along the way. We focus on removing as much of this burden from you as possible, while keeping you completely in control.

Most people assume that only solicitors and bankers are able to deal with probate, but thanks to a change in law some specially trained Chartered Accountancy firms are now also able to assist you.

Our team are fully trained, qualified and experienced to handle the probate and estate administration process for you. So, when you need clear and concise guidance on estate planning, inheritance tax planning, trusts, and executorships, we are here to help!

If you are feeling stuck, confused or just want some help, please call our dedicated Probate team on 01243 782 423 or head to our Contact page.

For further information on how Lewis Brownlee can assist you in these matters, please see our Probate Guide.

Registered to carry on audit work in the UK and licensed to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Details of the firm’s probate registration can be viewed at icaew.com/probate, under the firm’s reference number C003643128.

Further information and guidance can be seen here:

Details of our complaints procedure

Provision of Services – this includes details of our Professional Indemnity Insurance

Our most recent Diversity Survey results

Probate Guide – this includes details of our services, pricing, timescales and more

Would you like to discuss your situation with our team?

Book an appointment with one of our directors