Probate

Helping you with probate

Howard Chadwick Funeral Service 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?

Howard Chadwick Funeral Service 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.

Have used Chadwicks several times. They are very professional which makes the day well. Can't thank these peace enough

Sandra Chivers

We are so grateful to the team at Chadwick (especially Emily) for their understanding and professionalism throughout the entire process. Emily selected an amazing funeral celebrant, Erica Harley, who led a beautiful service with such compassion for everyone involved. Thank you all for making a…

Tony Bucknall

They guided us through every step with kindness, respect and understanding making a very difficult time a little easier. We are very grateful for their help and would highly recommend their services.

R Kears

Excellent all round service and would highly recommend

Robert Cantwell

I’d like to thank and praise the team at Chadwicks (especially Emily and Thomas) for handling all our needs with delicacy and professionalism from start to finish. Thank you all for making a tough situation as painless as was possible.…

Diana Ray (Di)

My husband chose Howard Chadwick following a terminal diagnosis. A meeting was arranged with Ashley with whom we made an instant connection. We felt confident that the cremation would be handled with dignity and the utmost car, which they did. All the staff who were…

linda kelly

Chadwicks served us really well - would highly recommend them for their professionality, yet down to earth and friendly manner.

Nigel Gordon-Potts

Very helpful and caring staff that made our difficult time go smoothly and well. Would highly recommend

Ged O'Brien

Wonderful. I can't say enough good things about them. They made a terrible situation so much more bearable. Everyone was absolutely fantastic. Professional, kind, patient and supportive. They introduced us to a wonderful celebrant who provided us with exactly the kind of celebration of life…

Katrina Whitehead

We have unfortunately needed to use the services of an undertaker recently after losing my mother . We had no hesitation to use Howard Chadwick Funeral Services again ( we have used them three times before). They are professional, discreet , efficient and supportive whilst…

Janet Powell