With probate applications rising sharply, as shown by recent HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) statistics, The Probate Department, led by Stephen Pett, is offering essential, cost-effective support for families navigating the complexities of probate. In July 2024, the HMCTS processed 32,002 probate applications—nearly 9,000 more than during the same period in 2023—highlighting the need for expert guidance on handling estates, executors, inheritance taxes, and disputes.
Stephen Pett, founder of The Probate Department, brings personal experience to this challenging process. Following his father’s death, Pett confronted the financial and emotional challenges that probate presents. After many years as an Estate Planning Practitioner, Pett co-founded a specialist solicitors’ practice and encountered the difficulties of controlling probate solicitors’ fees. When the practice lost its lead solicitor, Pett shifted the company’s mission, establishing www.TheProbateDepartment.co.uk in 2001, dedicated to helping families manage probate without excessive legal costs.
Reflecting on his experience, Stephen said: “When I had to obtain probate for my father’s small estate, I saw both sides of the process—the emotional toll and the financial strain. That’s when I realised there had to be a better way to guide people through probate without the high costs. I’ve made it my mission to offer families affordable, expert help and I have developed a number of different cost-saving services to give executors just the amount of help they need.”
One notable success for The Probate Department was saving a client £64,000 in solicitors’ fees on a £23 million estate, with other cases seeing reductions of up to 96%. Stephen Pett has built a reputation for connecting clients with qualified professionals who can reduce probate fees by up to a third or more.
The Probate Department also offers extensive free resources to assist families in navigating inheritance tax, executor duties, will disputes, and more. The company’s website, which has received over 4 million visitors, hosts almost 1,000 pages of guidance, as well as downloadable resources like “A Guide to Probate” and “What the Registrar Needs to Know.” These tools help families make informed decisions while managing the probate process.
Stephen added: “Our free service is meant to empower people with the knowledge they need to tackle probate confidently. From understanding inheritance tax obligations to resolving disputes and appointing executors, we cover it all. And if they need professional help, we’re here to connect them with affordable, trustworthy experts.”
As probate applications reach their highest level in a year, The Probate Department is ready to help more families find affordable solutions. By providing free guidance alongside access to expert professional services, Stephen Pett and his team are making probate more transparent and cost-effective for all involved.
