What to do in the first month after someone dies
A plain guide to the first few weeks: registering the death, finding the will, and what can wait.
Solicitors in Guildford for your home, your family and your work
Clear advice from people who know Surrey. Most of our work is done for a fixed fee, published on our website, and the first 20 minutes are free.
- SRA authorised and regulated
- Conveyancing Quality Scheme member
- Resolution family lawyers
- STEP full member
- 4.9 out of 5 from 212 client reviews
How we can help
Seven solicitors and consultants, each working in the area of law they know best.
For you and your family
- Buying and selling a homePurchases, sales, remortgages and leasehold, at a fixed fee
- Wills and lasting powers of attorneyPlan ahead for your family, your home and your health
- Probate and estatesHelp after someone dies, from the grant to the final accounts
- Separation and divorceFinances and arrangements for children, settled calmly
- Problems at workSettlement agreements, dismissal and discrimination
For your business
You'll know the cost before we start
Fixed fees for most work, set out in writing with the likely extras. Here are our starting prices.
| Service | From, plus VAT |
|---|---|
| Buying a home up to £400,000 | £1,250 |
| Selling a home up to £400,000 | £1,050 |
| Grant of probate | £1,450 |
| Single will | £295 |
| Settlement agreement advice | £450 |
The people you'll speak to
Meet everyone at the firm
Sarah Merrow
Partner, head of residential property
Founded the firm in 1998 and still runs sales and purchases herself. Chairs the Guildford conveyancing group.
Admitted 2004
Helen Vale
Partner, wills, probate and trusts
Advises families on wills, lasting powers of attorney, estates and inheritance tax. Full member of STEP.
Admitted 2001
James Hollis
Associate, employment
Advises employees and employers on settlement agreements, dismissal and discrimination claims.
Admitted 2012
Rachel Price
Associate, family
Handles divorce, finances and children arrangements. Accredited member of Resolution and a trained mediator.
Admitted 2014
What clients say
"Sarah explained every stage of our purchase in plain English and told us what the searches actually meant. Fixed fee, no surprises, and we completed on the day we wanted."
House purchase, March 2026
"After Dad died I had no idea where to start. Helen took it from there, kept me updated every fortnight and dealt with the tax return."
Mark W., Godalming
Probate, January 2026
"Calm, practical advice when I needed it. James checked my settlement agreement within two days and my employer paid the fee."
Leanne S., Woking
Settlement agreement, June 2026
Insights
All insightsHow long does buying a house take in Surrey?
Most purchases take 10 to 14 weeks from offer to completion. Here is where the time goes.
Settlement agreements: what to check before you sign
Your employer has offered a settlement agreement. These are the points we look at first.
Visit us in Guildford
- Address
- 14 Chapel Row, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3XX
- Opening hours
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm
- Parking
- Castle car park, 4 minutes' walk
- Station
- Guildford, 8 minutes' walk
- Access
- Ground floor meeting room with step-free access
Before you get in touch
Is the first call free?
Yes. The first 20 minutes are free and there's no obligation. We'll tell you whether you need a solicitor and what it should cost.
Do you only act for people in Guildford?
No. Most clients live in Guildford, Godalming, Woking and the villages around them, but we act for clients across England and Wales by phone and video.
Do you offer legal aid?
No. We don't hold a legal aid contract. If you may qualify, we'll point you to the government's legal aid checker and to firms that do.
Can you visit me at home?
Yes, for wills and powers of attorney, anywhere in Surrey. There is no extra charge within 10 miles of Guildford.