Guiding You Through Probate and Estate Administration

Expert Support During Life’s Difficult Moments

Need help navigating probate and estate administration? Our compassionate team is here to provide expert guidance every step of the way.

The loss of a friend or family member is a difficult and emotional time. It can therefore be a daunting task to have to deal with the affairs of the person who has died whilst dealing with your own grief.

The legal process of handling a deceased person’s estate and making sure their assets are allocated in accordance with their wishes is known as probate. If a will exists, the designated “executors” are in charge of carrying out the terms of the will. Without a will, the estate will be divided in accordance with the Intestacy Rules.

Except where an estate is very small it is likely that the executors will need to deal with the administration of the estate including arranging payment of any inheritance or other Taxes that may be due.

We can help you with every step of the process, including valuing the assets and liabilities, putting together the Inheritance Tax forms (if required) and making the application for the Grant of Probate, realising the assets, settling the debts and making distributions from the estate.

Clear and frequent updates will be provided and once the administration has been completed, we will provide a full set of estate accounts to the executors and residuary beneficiaries.  

Our team has experience dealing with estates of all sizes of from modest estates to high net worth with varying degrees of complexities.  Our advice is bespoke to your personal circumstances and we can assist you with as much or as little of the probate process as you would like.

Should you have any questions about what to do following the death of a loved one then our team are always happy to have an initial no obligation chat free of charge to see how we might be able to assist and put your mind at rest.

Our team are always happy to have an initial no obligation chat free of charge to see how we might be able to assist and put your mind at rest.

Meet The Probate and Estate Administration Team

Zoë Le Fort

Zoë Le Fort

Partner & Head of Private Client

Kingsbridge: 01548 857000

Zoë Le Fort

Zoë Le Fort

Zoë is Head of our Private Client Department and joined Beers initially as a locum solicitor in August 2021, having relocated from a firm in Hampshire where she was an equity Partner.

Zoë specialises in advising clients on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Administration of Estates, creation and administration of Trusts, Court of Protection and general tax advice. As a fully qualified member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE)), she is able to advise clients on all aspects of their personal lifetime planning and tax queries, including protection for the more vulnerable and elderly clients.

Zoë has over thirteen years’ experience dealing with administration of estates and has advised on hundreds of probate and estate matters since qualifying. She is happy to see clients either in the office or in their homes, to ensure the process is as comfortable as possible for them.

Away from work Zoë can be found with her husband working on their 17th Century North Cornish cottage renovation project.

Michael Le Fort

Michael Le Fort

Partner and Higher Rights Solicitor

Kingsbridge: 01548 857000

Plymouth: 01752 246000

Michael Le Fort

Michael Le Fort

Michael started his career outside law when he worked for his family business manufacturing and supplying cosmetics and fragrances to the likes of Superdrug, Tesco and New Look. However, nail polish colours were not for him, and he left the business and qualified as a Barrister. He worked as a Barrister for several years specialising in family law in particular financial remedies and public law matters, civil litigation, contract matters, personal insolvency and crime. He remains a member of Middle Temple and is a fully accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly).

He later cross qualified as a Solicitor and was awarded higher rights of audience by the Law Society. He has spent most of his career acting in divorce, children law and private client work and has been head of three private client departments and so is well versed in all aspects of private client work.

Michael specialises in advising clients in the preparation of new Wills and in reviewing existing Wills both for individuals and couples. He also deals with the question of succession planning which includes advising on Inheritance Tax, Agricultural Property Relief, Business reliefs and Capital Gains Tax issues with a view to helping you think about ways in which tax after death can be mitigated as far as possible. He advises on and prepares Lasting Powers of Attorney and deals with the registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney, this also includes Court of Protection matters including deputy applications. He advises clients in estate administration, deeds of variation and Trust matters. Michael also deals with cases with a more contentious element when necessary. His wide experience of different areas of law and of the Court process allows Michael to bring a different and pragmatic approach to any issue that may arise.

Kate Shute

Kate Shute

Associate Member of CILEx

Kingsbridge: 01548 857000

Kate Shute

Kate Shute

Kate joined Beers in July 2000 as an office assistant following her graduation from Agricultural College. Since joining Beers, she has progressed through the ranks and has been part of the Private Client team since 2002. She is a valued and trusted member of the team. Kate continued her education with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) and became an Associate Member of CILEX in 2012. Kate is also a member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly).

Kate currently deals with all aspects of private client work to include Administration of Estates and Trusts, preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, registration of Enduring Powers of Attorneys, applications for Deputy Orders and management of clients’ financial affairs. This includes dealing with clients’ day to day finances, arranging payment of their bills and household expenses, settling their tax position and ensuring that their investments are properly managed.

Elliot Brooking

Elliot Brooking

Trainee Solicitor

Kingsbridge: 01548 857000

Elliot Brooking

Elliot Brooking

Elliot graduated from Swansea University in 2023 and achieved an Upper Second-Class Honours degree in LLB Law. During his degree, Elliot volunteered for the Miscarriage of Justice project which aims to correct clear miscarriages of justice for individuals who cannot afford legal advice and achieved a Silver HEAR award for his contributions. He is passionate about making sure that clients feel supported throughout the legal process and ensuring that client’s concerns are dealt with compassionately.

Elliot started his role as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2023, working within the Property team and now in the Private Client team. Elliot is currently enrolled with Exeter University undertaking the LPC and is on route to qualify as a Solicitor in September 2025.

In his free time, Elliot enjoys playing football on the weekends for his local team, as well as playing golf and watching the GT World Challenge.

Gillian Inch

Gillian Inch

Assistant

Kingsbridge: 01548 857000

Kate Cawley

Kate Cawley

Assistant

Kingsbridge: 01548 857000

Rhianna Stone

Rhianna Stone

Assistant

Kingsbridge: 01548 857000

Let Us Simplify the Probate Process

Losing a loved one is difficult without managing their estate. Our experienced team provides tailored advice, handling everything from asset valuation to estate distribution, offering as much or as little support as needed for modest or complex estates.

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