Probate

Helping you with probate

Payne & Sons Funeral Directors is working with the National Bereavement Service (NBS), a not-for-profit organisation, to assist and support customers and their families. NBS provides practical advice post funeral to help when dealing with legal issues, many of which may be unfamiliar.

Probate is a legal term which means the official proving of a will. You ‘apply for probate’ to have the legal right to deal with someone’s land, property, money and possessions, in other words their ‘estate’.

If the person that has passed away has made a will, they will have appointed an Executor, and may have even identified a legal firm to deal with the probate. Fortunately in most cases the process is simple and straightforward. We can help if you need guidance on DIY probate. If there is no will it can be a little more complicated and the will is resolved according to the Rules of Intestacy.

How to apply

To apply for probate you make the application to the Probate Registry and this gives the Executors named in the application the authority to act in the administration of the estate of the deceased. There are a number of stages to go through when dealing with the administration process and it can vary depending on where you are in the UK.

NBS can help guide you through all of this, call them free on 0800 0246 121 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm or visit them at www.theNBS.org where you’ll find more useful information. 

Useful links:

Applying for probate

Intestacy – Who inherits when there is no will?

Dealing the estate of someone who has died

Valuing the estate of someone who has died

Stopping a probate application

Cremations

We can assist you in every step of the funeral and cremation arrangements so please ask us about any queries you may have.

Cremations

Our pricing

Funeral prices vary depending on the type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. There are many options to choose from to make it unique and special.

View pricing

Planning ahead?

It is now really easy to plan ahead, making a huge difference by easing the burden on your family when the time comes, so they can focus on the arrangements.

Prepaid plans

Need advice?

Payne & Sons Funeral Directors can assist you in every step of the funeral so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

Contact us

Latest Reviews

Google

Payne and Sons is a wonderfully supportive company, my heartfelt thanks go to Emily, Karen, Ian and Celine, It was like being looked after and helped by understanding friends, Thankyou all so much you eased us through a very difficult time…

julia mackie

Google

The family would like to thank Lee and the whole team for their support and guidance for Mrs Ada Heartfield Funeral. This is the second funeral they have arranged for us and you can not fault them in any way. Highly recommended and deserve a…

graham bennee

Google

These people understand human nature! Sadly mum died recently. We have a great sense of humour and they understood people deal with grief differently! Nothing.was to much for them..their kindness is beyond compare..the private chapel to the rear of this beautiful building ( previously a…

Jane Archer

Google

If you're worried about anything to do with organising a funeral for a loved one, we cannot recommend Payne & Sons highly enough. They looked after Dad beautifully, from collecting him from the care home, to planning and handling his funeral; Dad was in their…

Maddie Grant

Google

The staff at Payne & Sons ( Hampden Park) were so kind, thoughtful, professional, and understanding at arranging my father's funeral. He died early December 2024, and they stepped up and made all the arrangements for the family being so close to Christmas. We couldn't…

Amanda Ivimy

Google

I can't thank Tara, Mark & all at Payne & Sons enough. Tara has taken such great care with myself & the family. Helping us through everything with so much Grace & patience. And the care you all took with my beautiful Mum was Amazing…

Karen Platt

Google

We were able to give my wonderful Nan a personalised, beautiful send off thanks to Tara and all at Payne and sons in Hampden Park. Tara was so kind and caring throughout the whole process making sure everything was just perfect, and completely stress free…

Michele Allsopp

Google

Amazing experience with Payne and sons seaside branch. The team were friendly and polite! They went the extra mile to make sure our elvis loving grandad had the perfect send off! Could not fault the team at all made a difficult situation so much more…

chloe wyer

Google

What can I say? My sister Miriam aged was a legend. She had Down Syndrome and autism and was non verbal. She died of cancer on 9th March which seemed to come from nowhere and her time in hospital was very difficult time for the…

jez obbard

Much Loved

All I can say is that all of the staff treated my family with sensitivity, understanding, and professionalism. They made the whole process as easy as it can be in such difficult circumstances.

andy may

Thinking about a Funeral Plan?

Choice

Choice Funeral plans enable you to arrange and pay for your Funeral Director Services in advance, which could provide peace of mind to you and your family.

Learn more

Funeral Notice, Donations and Tribute Service

muchloved

View funeral notices and tributes to your loved one and leave a donation in their memory

View funeral notices

We're available 24 hours 365 days a year

Call 01323 649 049 visit branch or arrange a home visit