Do You Need a Will? Top Reasons to Write a Will in Scotland
September 10, 2026
It is one of the most put-off pieces of paperwork there is, yet a Will is one of the few...
Read More →Managing the estate of a loved one after they pass can be a complex, emotional and time-consuming process. At Jones Whyte, our experienced probate and executry solicitors provide clear legal guidance to help you wind up and estate after a death. We assist executors throughout Scotland, England and Wales.
If you are responsible for winding up an estate in the UK, there is a set process to follow. Our experienced team will be there to guide you through the procedure step by step.
The process to be followed when winding up an estate depends on whether or not the deceased had a valid Will at the time they died. Generally, you can expect to follow these steps when winding up an estate:
Winding up an estate in Scotland involves managing the deceased’s estate, which includes all the assets, such as bank accounts, property, and household bills. Executors must obtain confirmation from the local sheriff court, a legal document granting them authority to handle the deceased’s affairs. This process requires paying court fees, settling outstanding debts like credit card balances, and covering funeral expenses.
Our experienced team of executry solicitors can provide essential legal support to navigate this complex process. They can help draft an inventory list of the deceased’s assets, including the deceased’s property, any insurance policies, and ensure compliance with inheritance tax rules. Larger estates might require a bond of caution, and excepted estates have specific legal requirements.
We can provide advice to surviving relatives or a civil partners to address all legal issues and finalise the estate efficiently. This includes releasing funds from different banks and managing property belonging to the deceased. The entire process can be time-consuming, often taking at least six months, but professional guidance ensures all details are properly addressed and the deceased’s wishes are fulfilled.
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From £1500 excluding VAT and outlays. This service includes:
The Executor will need to obtain date-of-death valuations for all items in the deceased’s estate. This includes houses and other land, bank accounts, shareholdings, jewellery and other assets, as well as any debts. The Executor can then complete an inventory of the estate and its total value.
Once all details are known about the estate in terms of assets and liabilities, an application for Confirmation (in Scotland ) or Probate (in England and Wales) can be drafted. If the estate is taxable for Inheritance Tax these forms will also be drafted at this stage.
Once the forms have been approved by the Executor, they will be sent to HMRC if tax is payable and then sent to the Sheriff Court (Scotland) or Probate Registry (England and Wales).
Once Confirmation/probate has been granted, the Executor can gather the assets. If the house is to be sold/transferred, this can now take place.
Once all the funds have been gathered, the Executor can pay out the estate. Any debts owed by the deceased person are paid first, such as household bills, department of work and pension claims, outstanding credit card balances and any funeral expenses that have not already been settled.
Then they can payout to the beneficiaries. If there is a Will, this will state how the estate is to be paid out. If there is no Will, the beneficiaries are determined by law (known as the laws of intestacy).
At Jones Whyte, we realise that acting as an executor can be a daunting process and and a stressful experience. That’s why our lawyers for winding up an estate are here to support you.
This depends on the complexity of the estate. On average, it takes around six months to wind up an estate.
This varies depending on the value of the estate. There are no court fees on estates worth less than £50,000. On estates of between £50,000 and £250,000 the fee is £261. Court fees on estates over £250,000 will be £522.
At Jones Whyte, we offer a wide range of family law services.
These include:
Contact Jones Whyte today if you are facing any issues with wills and probate.
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September 10, 2026
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