GCSD Accountants - the largest practice in the Stroud Valleys - is pleased to see its recently launched probate and estate administration growing fast.

Following an important change in the law, the Stonehouse-based business is pleased to be one of the first accountancy companies in the UK to be officially licensed to carry out probate work.

Experienced in all areas of accounts, tax and estate administration, GCSD can be trusted to complete the whole process in a professional and sensitive manner at a competitive price.

Only solicitors were able to carry out probate work before the shake-up of the law.

Partner Julian Owens said: "We know how terribly difficult it can be to attend to someone's legal and financial affairs, particularly at a time when family and friends are trying to come to terms with the loss of someone close.

"On top of that, probate and estate administration can be a very complicated and lengthy process to complete - but we're here to help every step of the way.

"As accountancy and tax specialists, we're used to gathering and calculating financial and tax-related information, so we are able to reduce the amount of time it takes to compile the necessary information.

"Whilst solicitors can carry out probate work, they tend to charge a fixed percentage based on the value of the estate, which even for simple estates could be as high as four per cent.

"We feel that we are very competitively priced compared with other probate specialists and we're happy to provide a quote based on an hourly rate for the volume and complexity of the work that needs to be carried out.

"Our approach to gathering the relevant information, calculating what tax is due and administering the estate, is quick and succinct, which keeps costs to a minimum."

GCSD Accountants, based in Stonehouse Park, Sperry Way in Stonehouse, is offering the probate and estate administration service to new and existing clients.

Its team of experts will: can deal with all matters re non contentious probate to include; apply for the grant of representation; administer the estate; prepare the estate accounts; distribute the assets to the beneficiaries of the estate.

Partner Tim Dipple said: "If the deceased was a client of ours, we're virtually certain to have all the necessary financial information and background details to make the probate process as smooth as possible.

"If they weren't a client, we can still deal with the probate application if their accountant is not licensed to carry it out or they prefer not to use a solicitor."

In addition to providing the probate and estate administration service, GSCD can help in the following related areas: estate planning; executorships; financial planning and wealth management; inheritance tax planning; retirement planning.

For more information about GCSD Accountants, visit www.gcsd.co.uk or telephone 01453 822818.

Picture caption: (left to right) GCSD directors Gavin Hollywell, Julian Owens, Tim Dipple and Ian Sutton.