Through our close association with Bonhams we offer a unique service to executors and beneficiaries by being able to provide valuations for probate purposes for both properties and their contents. This provides the comfort and security of having consulted a leading valuation and auction house with over 200 years experience.

Bonhams office in Whitstable is part of a worldwide network of salerooms and offices. As well as valuing and advising the best method of sale for the property our local valuers have access to the resources of our international experts in London to deal effectively with more important or unusual items amongst the contents.

We are happy to inspect any furniture and other goods for general advice on value and disposal. This advice can lead to formal Inheritance Tax valuations for the Inland Revenue and advice where goods should be auctioned through the London and international salerooms or through a local saleroom.

We can also arrange for any residual un-saleable items to be cleared from the property and for any necessary cleaning works or sale preparation works to the property and gardens to help achieve a successful sale at the best price.

In order to realise the best results for executors, we may recommend that the goods from the estate be sold through different specialist and general auctions. In these circumstances, estates are supervised by experienced staff who will track the progress and provide regular reports and updates.

When a death has occurred and a property is left unattended the contents can be left vulnerable. Bonhams can arrange, at short notice, to remove the small valuable items to our premises for temporary safe keeping on behalf of the executors.

Specific bequests can be held at Bonhams and distributed to the beneficiaries via specialist shippers or sold speedily on behalf of the new owner should they wish to dispose of the item and realise the asset.

Advice can be given at the planning stage, from general discussion to the provision of a full valuation of the client’s assets.

Accurate descriptions can be prepared for inclusion as specific bequests in a will, to avoid the often messy discrepancies which can otherwise occur later in allocating goods to beneficiaries.