With a notable rise in probate applications, The Probate Department, led by Stephen Pett, is stepping up to support families facing the complexities of probate. July 2024 saw a significant 32,002 probate applications processed by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), marking nearly 9,000 more than the same period last year. Pett, who founded The Probate Department in 2001 after his own challenging experience handling his father’s estate, offers cost-effective solutions to ease the probate process.
Pett’s personal involvement in probate began when he encountered firsthand the emotional and financial strains of dealing with his father’s estate. This experience inspired him to provide affordable, expert help for families. Through www.TheProbateDepartment.co.uk, Pett has developed services designed to minimise legal fees and simplify the process for executors and beneficiaries. Pett shared, “I realised that people shouldn’t have to face excessive costs when dealing with the loss of a loved one. My aim is to offer a better way to manage probate without the high legal fees.”
The Probate Department has earned a reputation for significantly reducing probate costs. In one case, the firm helped a client save £64,000 in solicitors’ fees on a £23 million estate. Pett is known for connecting clients with professionals capable of slashing fees by a third or more. His mission remains clear: to make the probate process affordable, efficient, and accessible.
Beyond offering professional services, the department provides extensive free resources to help families navigate probate. Their website, which has over four million visits, hosts almost 1,000 pages of guidance on topics such as inheritance taxes, executor duties, and will disputes. Free downloadable guides, including “A Guide to Probate” and “What the Registrar Needs to Know,” ensure families have access to essential information.
Pett emphasised the department’s dual role in empowering families: “Our free service is designed to give people the confidence they need to manage probate. If they need professional help, we can connect them to trusted experts at sensible rates.”
As probate applications continue to rise, The Probate Department is positioned to assist the growing number of families seeking transparent and cost-effective solutions. Pett’s services are tailored to provide both professional assistance and accessible guidance, ensuring probate remains a manageable process for everyone involved.
