Probate Expertise. Real People. A More Personal Way To Help.
Hello, I’m Phil Weston. I founded Berkeley Weston in 2004 to help people overcome tricky legal problems without spending a fortune on solicitors’ fees.
Today, DIY Probate brings that same approach to families dealing with probate: clear information, specialist help where you need it, and a small team you can get to know.
You should feel comfortable with the people helping you handle a loved one’s affairs. Here is a little more about us.
People Wanted To Keep Control. They Just Needed The Right Help.
I’m a former legal adviser and probate practitioner. When my colleagues and I were taking hundreds of calls a month, the same concern kept coming up.
People wanted to deal with straightforward probate matters themselves, but they were worried about how to go about it, what was involved, and how to avoid mistakes that could leave them out of pocket.
I put together the DIY Probate resource with those people in mind. The aim was to give them a clear, step-by-step way forward, backed by practical help when they needed it.
That is why our Probate Guide is now available free of charge. And if you want help with the more complicated legal and inheritance tax paperwork, our Assisted DIY Probate Service gives you that support while you keep control of the straightforward tasks.
More Than Help With A Form
Probate involves understanding the estate, checking the paperwork and knowing which questions need answering. Phil’s work, and the experience of the team around him, runs through the support we provide.
Probate And Inheritance Tax
Phil handles inheritance tax matters and personally oversees probate applications. His role is to help identify the issues that need attention and guide the application through the right process.
The Author Of Your Guide
Phil’s How To Apply For Probate guide explains the journey from the first steps and valuing the estate through to the application, estate accounts and distribution. It brings the work into a sequence you can understand.
Someone To Ask
Our assisted service includes help by telephone and email throughout the probate process, as well as a post-probate consultation to help you understand the steps needed to conclude the estate.
Phil And DIY Probate In The Public Eye
Our media page brings together coverage in The Sunday Times and This Is Money, alongside recognition for Berkeley Weston and DIY Probate.
The Sunday Times
Coverage of Phil’s DIY Probate resource is reproduced on our media page.
This Is Money
Read the coverage featuring Phil Weston and probate.
Probate Specialists Of The Year
Prestige Awards recognition for Berkeley Weston Ltd DIY Probate in Leicestershire.
2026 Gold Winner
SME Leicestershire & Rutland Business Awards.
A Small, Family-Owned Business With A Personal Approach
When you call, you can speak with Phil, Samantha or Sarah: the people involved in looking after your probate. We choose a small-team approach so there is room for questions, explanations and individual attention.
Phil Weston
Phil established Berkeley Weston in 2004 after recognising the need for accessible, expert probate guidance. A former legal adviser and probate practitioner, he is the author of the DIY Probate Guide, handles inheritance tax matters and personally oversees probate applications.
Samantha Pettit
Samantha studied law at Leicester and qualified as a solicitor in 1999. Her background includes drafting thousands of Wills, managing complex probate cases and heading Private Client departments at Legal 500 firms in the West Midlands.
She has also been a Business Mentor for The Prince’s Trust and provided pro bono advice through community clinics.
Sarah Bee
Sarah joined Berkeley Weston in 2016 as an apprentice and has built her expertise through hands-on work with probate processes. She now oversees day-to-day operations, keeping careful attention on applications, supporting documents and the practical details that help work progress.
Ellie Weston
Ellie joined the family business in 2025 while undertaking a degree apprenticeship in Digital Marketing. She helps with client communications and getting our educational resources to the families who need them.
Even Experienced Professionals Can Value Specialist Help
Andrew Botterill, a financial adviser with 30 years’ experience, was co-executor of his father’s estate alongside a chartered accountant. They wanted to do the groundwork themselves, but found the inheritance tax account and its supporting forms challenging.
In the experience he shared in our guide, Andrew explains how the assisted service gave them specialist support while allowing them to remain involved.
“Berkeley Weston’s assisted service seemed ideal. It allowed us to handle some of the groundwork while ensuring we avoided mistakes that could prolong an already lengthy process.”
Andrew Botterill · Client feedback published in Phil’s guide
Clear Advice Matters. So Does How You Are Treated.
These comments from our Probate Guide and assisted-service information describe the reassurance, patience and communication clients value.
Reassurance From The First Conversation
“I downloaded their guide and spoke to Sam, who immediately reassured me with clear, practical advice… They were prompt and professional, acknowledging documents immediately.”
Dr. Alison Halstead
Help At A Difficult Time
“Your help I found very comforting when it came to dealing with the paperwork, which I found most difficult at the time… thank you for taking the weight off my shoulders and help in dealing with the necessary formalities.”
Gerald Hardiman
Patience And Personal Support
“I cannot thank you enough and am more than grateful for all your patience and help at this time.”
Anne Charlton
Recent Experiences From Berkeley Weston Clients
Read what clients say about the advice, reassurance and personal support they received from the team.
Helpful Advice From A Caring Team
Selected Google reviews from Berkeley Weston clients.
“So pleased we got in touch with Berkeley Weston,Sarah was so helpful throughout and very patient and caring.Would definitely recommend.”
“I have found Berkeley Weston a very helpful company to use and they have made the IHT process much easier. All of the people I have spoken to have been friendly and polite and I have had no hesitation in phoning them when I needed help or advice.”
You Are Welcome To Meet Us
DIY Probate is part of Berkeley Weston Ltd. Our headquarters are at Business Box in Leicester, and private clients are welcome to visit by appointment.
We also help people at a distance using telephone, email and online meetings. You can get the guidance you need without having to live near our office.
Berkeley Weston LtdBusiness Box, Oswin Road
Leicester LE3 1HR
Registered company number: 5274731.
You Don’t Have To Work Everything Out Before You Call
Tell us a little about your situation. We will explain how our service works, answer your questions and help you understand the next step. There is no obligation or pressure to proceed.