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Vacancy

Job ID: PCS1 Closing Date: 30/09/2026
Position: Probate Specialist / Probate Lawyer

About Us

We are a well-established and highly regarded Private Client department with a strong reputation for delivering exceptional client service. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Probate Specialist to join our team.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on a broad range of high-value, high-net-worth and complex estate administration matters, supporting individuals, families, executors, trustees and professional advisers with expert guidance and exceptional client care.

The Role

The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload of probate and estate administration matters, with a particular focus on complex and high-net-worth estates.

Key responsibilities will include:

  • Managing all aspects of estate administration from initial instruction through to final distribution.
  • Handling high-value and complex estates, including those involving business interests, agricultural assets, trusts, investment portfolios and overseas assets.
  • Preparing applications for Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration.
  • Advising executors, trustees and beneficiaries on estate administration and succession matters.
  • Liaising with accountants, financial advisers, wealth managers, valuers and other professional advisers.
  • Preparing inheritance tax returns and dealing with HMRC enquiries.
  • Identifying inheritance tax planning opportunities during estate administration.
  • Preparing estate accounts and arranging distributions.
  • Managing matters involving contested estates, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and other complex issues where appropriate.
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with high-net-worth clients and professional referrers.
  • Contributing to the growth and development of the Private Client department.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Significant experience in probate and estate administration.
  • Proven experience handling high-net-worth and complex estates.
  • Strong technical knowledge of inheritance tax, trusts and estate administration.
  • A thorough understanding of probate practice and procedure.
  • Excellent client relationship and communication skills.
  • The ability to manage sensitive matters with professionalism, empathy and discretion.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy caseload independently.
  • A commercial and proactive approach to client service.


The following would be advantageous, but not essential:

  • Qualification as a Solicitor, Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX), STEP-qualified practitioner or equivalent experience.
  • Experience advising on trusts, succession planning and wider private client matters.
  • Experience mentoring/supporting others.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary and benefits package.
  • Bonus scheme.
  • The opportunity to work on high-quality, interesting and often complex matters.
  • A supportive and collaborative working environment.
  • Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
  • Flexible and hybrid working options.
  • Generous holiday entitlement.
  • Pension scheme.
  • Support towards relevant professional qualifications

Eaton Smith LLP is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment and in which all decisions are based on merit. We aim to ensure that all staff are treated and treat others with dignity and respect.

…with you every step of the way!

Eaton Smith is a strong, modern, forward-thinking, award winning Yorkshire law firm that continues to grow and develop. Our large team of solicitors and other legal advisors have been using their extensive experience to get results for both individuals and businesses for many years, throughout the region, across the UK and internationally.

We provide a full range of services to both businesses and private individuals and each year we help over 6,000 individuals and businesses who value our practical support and advice.

Eaton Smith’s highly regarded Business Services Team advises on starting out in business through to high profile corporate and international transactions, helping businesses with trading agreements, internet trading, business structures, reorganisations, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, disposals, investments, intellectual property, employment law, property, debt collection and disputes.

Our private client teams of legal professionals have an extensive range of skills and experience to offer our clients, who also enjoy the added benefit of dealing with a firm that is large enough to provide specialists in the many areas of legal issues that we cover including family matters, employment problems, house purchases and sales, wills, trusts and probate, personal injury, medical negligence and dispute resolution.

We are proud to have been nominated for and won multiple awards over the years.

We had the privilege of winning the award for Best Legal Service Supplier for the video games industry for a second time in three years at the national TIGA Games Industry Awards in 2022, having previously won the award in 2020. We were also shortlisted in both 2021 and 2023.

In 2022, our Corporate & Commercial team were honoured to win the award for the ‘Team of the Year – Business Law’ at the LawNet Awards and in 2023 our Commercial Property team were shortlisted for the same Business Law category. In 2023 our Corporate & Commercial team were shortlisted in the Corporate & Commercial category of the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards.

We are members of LawNet, a national group of quality assured law firms who must all hold and maintain the ISO 9001 quality standard, something that we are very proud to do.

Working at Eaton Smith means you will not only work with experienced and competent lawyers and legal advisors, but will also enjoy a range of excellent employee benefits, including:

  • Holidays
    • Minimum of 24 days’ holiday plus bank holidays;
    • Birthday holiday and additional days at Christmas;
    • Extra days of holiday are accrued after 5 years at 1 day per year up to 5 extra days (taking you to 29 days at 10 years);
    • Buy/Sell holidays – Option to buy or sell annual leave each year;
  • Group Pension Scheme - 4% Employer/5% Employee with the option to make additional contributions.
  • Life Assurance - 3 x Annual Salary in the unfortunate event of death in service.
  • Perkbox Membership - Employee Discounts on hundreds of high street stores.
  • Remote Flexible Working - Dependent On Role
  • On-Site Parking - Dependent On Role

Eaton Smith Solicitors have some exciting opportunities available - if you think you have what it takes to join our team, we would love to hear from you! The vacancies available include:

Contact Jonathan Clegg (Head of HR) on 01484 821311 or by email at jonathanclegg@eatonsmith.co.uk

We are always interested in receiving CVs from talented individuals who would like to contribute to the future of our firm so even if there are no vacancies listed, please do send in a CV if you are considering a job move and you think that we could be a good match.