Official Ministry of Justice figures show that 65,254 applications for probate grants were made across England and Wales between January and March 2026.

Behind those applications are thousands of families dealing with the practical and legal responsibilities that follow a death.

For families in Richmond, Teddington, Twickenham and across south west London, understanding estate administration can make it easier to know what needs to happen, who is responsible and when professional support may be useful.

What is estate administration?

Estate administration is the wider process of dealing with someone's money, property, possessions and other affairs after they die.

It can include identifying and valuing assets, settling debts and taxes, dealing with property, applying for the appropriate grant where required and distributing the remaining estate to beneficiaries.

What is the difference between probate and estate administration?

The terms are often used together but they are not exactly the same.

Probate generally refers to the legal authority obtained by an executor under a valid Will to deal with relevant estate assets.

Estate administration is the broader process from the initial fact-finding and valuations through to settling liabilities and distributing the estate.

Not every estate needs a Grant of Probate, but every estate still needs to be dealt with appropriately.

What does the process usually involve?

Locate the Will and identify the personal representatives. Establish whether there is a valid Will and who has been appointed to act. If there is no valid Will, an eligible person may instead apply to administer the estate.

Identify and value the estate. Build a clear picture of property, savings, investments, possessions and other assets, alongside debts and liabilities. The values may also be needed for Inheritance Tax purposes.

Apply for the appropriate grant where required. Banks, investment providers and other organisations may require a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration before assets can be released.

Settle debts and taxes. Outstanding liabilities and any tax due need to be dealt with before the estate is fully distributed.

Distribute the estate. Once the administration is sufficiently complete, assets can be transferred to the beneficiaries under the Will, or under the intestacy rules where there is no valid Will.

How long can it take?

It is useful to separate the time taken to obtain a probate grant from the time taken to administer the whole estate.

Ministry of Justice data for January to March 2026 shows probate grants taking approximately five weeks on average from application to issue.

The full administration of an estate commonly takes much longer because assets still need to be collected, liabilities dealt with and distributions made.

More complex estates, property sales, tax issues, overseas assets or disagreements between interested parties can all extend the process.

Can I administer an estate myself?

Yes. Many executors and administrators handle estates themselves. Professional support may be useful where the estate includes property, Inheritance Tax, complicated investments, multiple beneficiaries or difficult family circumstances, or simply where the personal representative does not want to manage a substantial administrative burden at a difficult time.

Estate administration support in South West London

Richmond Wills & Probate supports families with probate and estate administration across Richmond, Teddington, Twickenham and the wider South West London area.

Support can range from helping families understand whether a grant is required through to managing the wider estate-administration process.

For a no-obligation conversation visit its website here or call 07487 851555 or 020 3930 3457.

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