Probate: The Process, Pitfalls, and Planning
Category: Tax | Date: 31/03/2026 14:00 | Duration: 1hr | Tag: WEBUK26ADD7 | Type: Webinar | Speaker: Barry Jefferd
Course Details
From understanding legal requirements and timelines to avoiding costly mistakes, the process of obtaining probate can often raise questions for families, executors, and professionals alike, and without the right knowledge and preparation, even straightforward estates can be affected by unnecessary costs and delays.
In this practical webinar, we’ll explore what probate really involves, consider some of the challenges people encounter (inspired by real world cases), and discuss how to proactively navigate these issues with tax efficiency and current legislation in mind.
The session will help you to gain a stronger understanding of the probate journey, and get you thinking about how careful planning can help to protect against later complications.
In this session, we will consider what is involved in obtaining probate, and we will walk through a number of practical examples to showcase potential pitfalls and the importance of careful planning.
Key areas being covered
- What is probate and when is it required
- What does the process of obtaining probate involve – i.e., Simple v Full application
- Common pitfalls associated with estate planning, accompanied by relevant case studies (encompassing RNRB and Pensions)
- The importance of a valid Will
By the end of this webinar, professionals will have a clear, structured understanding of the probate process, along with practical insight into the most common planning pitfalls that can lead to delays, disputes, or increased costs. The session will also explore how proactive probate and estate planning considerations can lead to better outcomes for clients.
This session will be of most interest to Tax advisers, probate practitioners, estate planning specialists.
Course level: Intermediate
CPD Course Speaker
George Hay Chartered Accountants
Barry Jefferd
Barry Jefferd is the Taxation Partner at George Hay Chartered Accountants, a successful regional accountancy firm with offices in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
He is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Tax Adviser and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
He advises on the complete range of taxes, with a particular interest in Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, and property and land transactions, and he lectures widely on behalf of Taxation Institutes who are providing training for other professionals.
Barry was one of the first accountants in the country to pass the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ probate qualification, and now heads up GH Probate Ltd – the probate division of George Hay – which has been providing non-contentious probate services for over 10 years.
He also supports other accountancy firms with probate services for their clients, where they may not offer the service themselves or otherwise require specialist advice.
He is also a director of GH Wills Ltd, George Hay’s division providing bespoke Will writing services.
Barry is the co-author of two publications; Tax planning, a joint publication between the UK200 Group and the Daily Telegraph, and the Innovation Handbook, endorsed by the Intellectual Property Office.
He is an expert in Share and Business Valuations and has appeared in both the High and County Courts as an expert witness.
As well as his services to clients, Barry offers a tax consultancy service for smaller practices throughout the UK, as well as advising on one off tax problems for other accountants and taxpayers.
He is currently Deputy President of the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT), the country’s leading professional body dealing with tax compliance.
He is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Tax Adviser and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
He advises on the complete range of taxes, with a particular interest in Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, and property and land transactions, and he lectures widely on behalf of Taxation Institutes who are providing training for other professionals.
Barry was one of the first accountants in the country to pass the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ probate qualification, and now heads up GH Probate Ltd – the probate division of George Hay – which has been providing non-contentious probate services for over 10 years.
He also supports other accountancy firms with probate services for their clients, where they may not offer the service themselves or otherwise require specialist advice.
He is also a director of GH Wills Ltd, George Hay’s division providing bespoke Will writing services.
Barry is the co-author of two publications; Tax planning, a joint publication between the UK200 Group and the Daily Telegraph, and the Innovation Handbook, endorsed by the Intellectual Property Office.
He is an expert in Share and Business Valuations and has appeared in both the High and County Courts as an expert witness.
As well as his services to clients, Barry offers a tax consultancy service for smaller practices throughout the UK, as well as advising on one off tax problems for other accountants and taxpayers.
He is currently Deputy President of the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT), the country’s leading professional body dealing with tax compliance.