Chester · Cheshire · North Wales
Probate Solicitors Chester
Compassionate, expert probate and estate administration for families across Chester, Cheshire and North Wales.
Based in Chester, we support executors and families through every stage of the probate process — from applying for the grant to full estate administration and contentious probate.
Chester-based
Local office, national reach
Fixed fees
Confirmed in writing upfront
STEP member
Darren Steele, STEP since 2011
10+ years qualified
Laura Kirton, Wills & Probate
Probate Services in Chester
We offer a full range of probate and estate administration services from our Chester office.
Applying for Probate
Grants of probate and letters of administration — prepared correctly to reduce delays and avoid common mistakes.
Full Estate Administration
We manage the entire process from asset valuation to final distribution, keeping you informed throughout.
Executor Advice
Practical guidance to help you fulfil your duties correctly, avoid personal liability and navigate family disagreements.
Disputed Estates
Contentious probate and estate disputes — challenging or defending wills, Inheritance Act claims and executor removal.
Intestacy (No Will)
When someone dies without a will, the intestacy rules determine who inherits. We guide families through this process clearly.
Probate Fees
Clear, transparent pricing for probate and estate administration. Costs confirmed in writing before any work begins.
Areas We Cover
Our Chester probate team acts for clients across Chester, Cheshire and North Wales — including the following areas.
Not listed? We act for clients across England and Wales. Call us to discuss your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer probate services in Chester?
Yes. PDA Law is based in Chester and our probate team regularly acts for executors and families across Chester, Cheshire and North Wales. We offer a full range of probate services — from applying for the grant of probate to full estate administration and contentious probate.
How much does probate cost in Chester?
Our probate fees are transparent and confirmed in writing before any work begins. Applying for probate (grant only) typically costs £900–£1,500 including VAT. Full estate administration is priced as a percentage of the estate value or a fixed fee, depending on complexity. See our probate fees page for full details.
How long does probate take in Chester?
A straightforward probate application — from instruction to grant — typically takes 3–6 months. Full estate administration usually takes 9–12 months. Complex estates with property, inheritance tax or disputes can take longer. We keep you updated throughout the process.
Can I use a Chester solicitor for probate if the estate is elsewhere?
Yes. Probate in England and Wales is a national process — you do not need to use a solicitor local to where the deceased lived or where the assets are held. We regularly act on estates across England and Wales from our Chester office.
Do you handle contentious probate in Chester?
Yes. Our team handles contentious probate matters — including challenges to the validity of a will, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and disputes between executors and beneficiaries. Early advice is important as time limits apply.
Can you help with probate for a North Wales estate from Chester?
Yes. We regularly act on estates involving property and assets in North Wales. Our Chester office is conveniently located close to the North Wales border, and we have extensive experience with cross-border estates involving property in Wales.
What areas near Chester do you cover for probate?
We act for clients across Chester, Cheshire and North Wales — including Ellesmere Port, Neston, Tarporley, Northwich, Wrexham, Flintshire, Deeside and Mold. We also act for clients further afield who prefer to instruct a Chester-based solicitor.
Do I need to visit your Chester office for probate?
Not necessarily. Many clients prefer to deal with probate by telephone, email and post — particularly during what can be a difficult time. We can conduct initial consultations by telephone or video call. Where documents need to be signed, we can arrange this at our Chester office or by post.
Speak to Our Chester Probate Team
Call us on 01244 757 352 or request a confidential callback. We will explain the process clearly and confirm our fees in writing before any work begins.
Probate Solicitors in Chester: How We Can Help
PDA Law is a full-service solicitors firm based in Chester, providing expert probate and estate administration services to families across Cheshire, North Wales, Merseyside and the Wirral. Our probate team — led by Laura Kirton and supported by Darren Steele, David Stahler and Nikolina Vukovic — has extensive experience in all aspects of probate, from straightforward grant applications to complex multi-jurisdictional estates.
Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person's estate is administered. It involves obtaining the grant of probate (or letters of administration where there is no will), collecting and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries. The process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate and the efficiency of the institutions involved.
Our Chester office is conveniently located at Crown Buildings, 121A Saughall Road, Chester CH1 5ET — easily accessible from the M53, A55 and A483. We serve clients across the full Chester and Cheshire West postcode area, including CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5, CH6, CH7, CH8, CH64, CH65 and CH66, as well as clients in Ellesmere Port, Neston, Tarporley, Northwich and across North Wales.
We offer a fixed-fee service for straightforward probate applications and a tailored service for more complex estates. All fees are confirmed in writing before any work begins — there are no hidden charges. We also offer a "grant only" service for executors who wish to manage the administration themselves but need assistance obtaining the grant of probate.
Whether you are dealing with a straightforward estate or a complex situation involving property, inheritance tax, multiple beneficiaries or family disputes, our Chester probate team is here to help. Call us on 01244 757 352 or contact us online for a free initial discussion.
Speak to a probate solicitor today. Compassionate, professional advice — costs explained clearly before any work begins.
No obligation — talk through your options first.
Free Confidential Enquiry
Request a Callback
Complete the form below and our probate team will be in touch. No obligation — strictly confidential.
Our Probate Team
Speak to a Member of Our Team
Nikolina Vukovic
Legal Executive — Wills, Trusts & Estates
Nikolina specialises in probate, wills, trusts and estate administration. She supports clients through what is often one of the most difficult periods of their lives — from straightforward administrations to complex estates involving property, inheritance tax and sensitive family circumstances.
Darren Steele
Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member
Darren has worked in the legal sector since 1998 and has been a STEP member since 2011. He specialises in wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney and probate — with particular expertise in inheritance tax planning and complex estate structuring.
Laura Kirton
Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified
Laura is a qualified solicitor with ten years' post-qualification experience, specialising in wills, probate, and lasting powers of attorney. Known for her calm, methodical approach, she brings both legal expertise and genuine insight to every matter — particularly in emotionally complex family situations.
David Stahler
Wills, Trusts & Estates Executive
David is our first point of contact for clients enquiring about probate and estate planning. He brings a warm, personable approach to what can be a sensitive subject — and clients consistently remark on how at ease he makes them feel. Discreet, approachable, and thorough.
Explore Further
Related Probate Services
Related: Lasting Power of Attorney
Dealing with a loved one's estate often prompts people to put their own affairs in order. A Lasting Power of Attorney ensures someone you trust can manage your affairs if you ever lose capacity — avoiding the need for a costly Court of Protection application.
Related: Wills, Trusts & Estates
Probate is closely connected to will writing, trust planning and inheritance tax. Our wills, trusts and estates team can help you plan ahead — so that when the time comes, the administration of your estate is as straightforward as possible.