Probate and Estate Administration
We are a specialist law firm recognised as a Band 3 ranked firm for Private Wealth Law in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2026, shortlisted for Boutique Firm of the Year (Legal) at the STEP Private Client Awards 2026, and awarded Highly Commended in the Probate Law Firm of the Year category at the Probate Industry Awards 2026.
We have extensive experience of administering estates and guiding executors through the probate process. We are able to deal with all types of estates and have a particular focus on complex and high-value estates, including those worth between £1 million and £4 million, as well as estates with an international element. We are also able to advise on estates exceeding £4 million on a case-by-case basis.
We believe that probate should be handled by a solicitor who takes the time to understand your family’s circumstances and guide you through the process from start to finish. You will have a dedicated solicitor who will be your main point of contact throughout the administration of the estate.
Paul Clark is a full member of STEP and has extensive experience managing complex and multi-jurisdictional estate administrations. He was shortlisted for Private Client Practitioner of the Year at the Wills and Probate Awards 2025 and received Highly Commended for Private Client Leader of the Year at the Modern Law Awards 2026.
Natasha Yelland is a solicitor and affiliate member of STEP who advises on a wide range of probate and estate administration matters. She is recognised as an Associate to Watch in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2026 and was a finalist for the Rising Star (Legal) Award at the STEP Private Client Awards 2025. She was also shortlisted for the One to Watch Practitioner of the Year Award at the Wills and Probate Awards 2025.
Melissa Howman is a solicitor with over eight years’ post-qualification experience and a particular focus on probate and estate administration. She advises on a broad range of estates, including those with cross-border elements, and was shortlisted for Probate Lawyer of the Year at the Probate Industry Awards 2026 and the Twilight Awards 2026.
We understand that administering an estate can be both time-consuming and emotionally demanding. Our role is to provide clear, practical advice in plain English and to support executors and families throughout the process.
We appreciate that probate often needs to fit around work, family and other commitments, so we offer flexible appointments at our office, your home, online or at another location that suits you.
‘The care and professionalism shown has been above and beyond’
Client Feedback 2025
Our services
Grant of Probate applications
We have experience of dealing with all types of probate applications from straightforward applications for Grant of Probate to complex applications for taxable estates.
Our grant only service is suitable when the executor wishes to deal with the estate themselves but need a solicitor to complete the Grant application. Please click here for an overview of the process.
Letters of Administration
When there is there isn’t a will the rules of Intestacy apply and an administrator will obtain a Grant of Letters of Administration. We are able to deal with all types of applications and we often deal with less common applications such as when an administrator has died without completing an estate administration.
Our grant only service is suitable when the administrator or family wishes to deal with the estate themselves but need a solicitor to complete the application for Letters of Administration. Please click here for an overview of the process.
Estate administration
We offer a full administration service where we take care of the estate administration from start to finish. We can act for executors and administrators have experience of dealing with all aspects of estate administration.
Areas of Specialism
Probate for business owners
We offer a specialised service for owner managed businesses and have experience of managing probate for owners of businesses where the business is passed onto beneficiaries through to businesses that need to be wound up as part of the administration process.
Cross border estate administration
Paul ClarkTEP leads our cross border offering and all our solicitors have experience in dealing with cross border estates. Please click here for further information about our cross border service.
Complex estate administration
Complex matters will be lead by Paul Clark and supported by the Natasha Yelland and Melissa Howman. As a specialist law firm, we often deal with complex administrations including those with an international element which require specialist advice. We have experience of dealing with home made wills which contain issues that need to be addressed before probate can be obtained.
Probate for professionals
Doctors
We have significant experience in acting for doctors and our clients include GPs and surgeons. We work closely with financial advisors who specialise in providing financial advice to doctors and their families.
Solicitors and legal professionals
As solicitors, we naturally have a deep understanding of the legal profession. As specialist private client solicitors, we have been trusted by other lawyers to act for them. Our clients have included a top barrister, a former magic circle solicitor and partners of successful law firms.
Teachers
We act for numerous teachers and we can assist with all aspects of probate.
Recommended guide
Probate / Estate Administration
Contact us
Make an appointment
Further information
Our approach
We offer a sensitive and compassionate service for all of our clients and we put you at the centre of everything we do. You will be allocated your own solicitor who will work with you to guide you through the process. They will also act for you whenever you instruct Spall Clark Solicitors.
We understand that the probate process will often come with a change in financial circumstances for the beneficiaries. Although many of our clients already have financial and tax advisors, we can make appropriate introductions for those clients that wish to take advice about their inheritance.
How much does it cost
For further information please see our price list
How long will it take
The time frame depends on the service required. We work hard to ensure that the legal process is completed as quickly as possible. However, we are often dependent on third party organisations such as The Probate Registry when dealing with probate and estate administration. Please click here for detailed information about the process and estimated timescales.
Who will deal with your matter
Natasha Yelland and Melissa Howman deal with the majority of matters including complex administrations and cross border matters.
The most complex estate administrations which require specialist advice will involve the whole team and will be lead by Paul ClarkTEP.
What our clients say about our solicitors
‘The service received was fast, explanative and friendly’
‘Clear communication at all stages’
‘Professional, prompt and polite. Everything we needed’
‘Efficient yet personal service’
‘Matter approached in a sensitive manner’
‘I was kept updated all through the probate process of everything happening at such an awfully devastating time’