Probate is legal authority to deal with someone's estate after death. It confirms the will is valid and the executor has power to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate. Without probate, institutions won't release assets over certain thresholds.

How long does probate take UK?

Application to grant: typically 8-16 weeks. Full estate administration: 6-12 months for straightforward estates, 1-2+ years for complex ones. The 'executor's year' recognises most estates take about 12 months. Delays common with property, disputes, or tax issues.

Do I need probate if there's a will UK?

Usually yes, if assets require it. Probate is about value and type of assets, not whether there's a will. You need probate to: access bank accounts over threshold (varies by bank), sell or transfer property, deal with shares and investments. Small cash amounts often released without probate.

Can I do probate myself UK?

Yes, many people do. Straightforward estates with UK assets, clear beneficiaries, and no tax complications are often manageable DIY. Complex estates with property abroad, business interests, IHT complications, or disputes benefit from professional help. Apply online at gov.uk.

Probate UK — Step-by-Step Guide to the Process | PocketWise

Probate can seem daunting, but many estates are straightforward. Here’s how the process works.

What Is Probate?

Understanding Probate

Term	Meaning
Probate	The whole process
Grant of Probate	Certificate when there’s a will
Letters of Administration	Certificate when there’s no will
Personal Representative	Executor (with will) or Administrator (no will)

What Probate Does

Purpose	Effect
Confirms will is valid	Legal recognition
Authorises executor	To manage estate
Allows access	To release assets
Protects institutions	Know who to deal with

When Is Probate Needed?

Usually Required For

Asset	Why
Property	To sell or transfer
Bank accounts over threshold	Banks require it
Shares and investments	Registrars need grant
Insurance policies	Payable to estate
Large sums	Generally £5,000-£50,000+

Usually Not Required For

Asset	Why
Joint property	Passes to survivor
Joint bank accounts	Usually passes automatically
Life insurance in trust	Paid to trust
Small bank balances	Banks may release
Pensions with nomination	Paid to nominee

Bank Thresholds

Bank	Typical Threshold
Most high street banks	£5,000-£50,000
Each bank different	Check with them
Discretionary	May release without

Step-by-Step Process

Phase 1: Preparation

Step	Details
1	Find the will
2	Identify all assets
3	Identify all debts
4	Value everything
5	Complete IHT forms

Phase 2: Application

Step	Details
6	Complete probate application (PA1P/PA1A)
7	Submit IHT forms
8	Pay IHT (if due)
9	Apply online or by post
10	Swear statement of truth
11	Submit original will

Phase 3: After Grant

Step	Details
12	Receive grant of probate
13	Send copies to banks, etc.
14	Collect all assets
15	Advertise for creditors
16	Pay debts
17	File tax returns

Phase 4: Distribution

Step	Details
18	Wait 6 months (Inheritance Act)
19	Obtain tax clearance
20	Prepare estate accounts
21	Distribute to beneficiaries
22	Get receipts

Applying for Probate

Required Documents

Document	Purpose
Original will	Must send
Death certificate	Proves death
Completed PA1P form	Application
IHT forms	Tax position
Fee	£273 (estates over £5,000)

Application Methods

Method	Details
Online	gov.uk/applying-for-probate
Paper	Download and post forms
Solicitor	Can submit on your behalf

IHT Forms

Form	When Needed
IHT205	Excepted estate, no IHT due
IHT400	Full IHT return
IHT421	Probate summary
IHT217	Claiming spouse exemption

Timeline

Typical Timescales

Stage	Duration
Valuation and IHT forms	2-8 weeks
Probate application processing	8-16 weeks
Collecting assets	4-8 weeks
Creditor advertisement	2 months
Final tax clearance	Variable
Distribution	After 6 months from grant

Total Timeline

Estate Complexity	Expected Duration
Simple	6-9 months
Moderate	9-12 months
Complex	12-24+ months

What Causes Delays

Issue	Delay Impact
Property sale	Months
IHT investigation	Months
Missing documents	Weeks
Disputes	Months to years
Foreign assets	Significant

Costs

Official Fees

Fee	Amount
Probate application	£273
Estate under £5,000	No fee
Extra copies of grant	£1.50 each

Professional Costs

Option	Typical Cost
DIY	Just application fees
Probate-only service	£500-£1,500
Full administration	1-4% of estate value
Solicitor hourly	£200-£400/hour

What Affects Professional Costs

Factor	Impact
Estate value	Higher value = higher fees
Complexity	More work = more cost
Property sale	Additional legal work
Tax complications	Professional needed
Disputes	Significantly more expensive

DIY vs Solicitor

DIY Suitable If

Factor	DIY Likely OK
All UK assets	☐
No property abroad	☐
No business interests	☐
Clear beneficiaries	☐
No disputes expected	☐
No IHT complications	☐
You have time	☐

Use Solicitor If

Factor	Solicitor Recommended
Property abroad	☐
Business assets	☐
IHT due/complex	☐
Disputes likely	☐
Missing beneficiaries	☐
Complex family	☐
Trust involvement	☐

Middle Ground Options

Option	What You Get
Probate-only service	Application done for you
Advice retainer	Pay for guidance as needed
Online services	Digital guidance
Citizens Advice	Free basic help

Valuing the Estate

Assets to Include

Category	Examples
Property	House value (gross)
Bank/building society	All accounts
Investments	Shares, ISAs, bonds
Personal effects	Car, valuables
Money owed to deceased	Loans made
Pensions	Some death benefits

How to Value

Asset	Valuation Method
Property	Estate agent estimate
Shares	Stock price on date of death
Bank accounts	Balance on date of death
Personal effects	Reasonable estimate
Unusual assets	Professional valuation

Date of Death

Rule	Details
Value at date of death	Not when you apply
Shares	Middle market quote
Property	Market value then
Debts	Amount owed then

After Probate

With the Grant

Task	Action
Send to banks	They release funds
Land Registry	Transfer property
Share registrars	Transfer or sell shares
Collect all assets	Into executor account

Paying Debts

Do	In Order
Pay funeral	First
Pay probate costs	Administration
Pay secured debts	Mortgages
Pay unsecured debts	Credit cards, etc.
Keep reserves	For unknown debts

Distribution

Before Distributing	Check
All debts paid	☐
Tax clearance received	☐
6 months from probate	☐
No Inheritance Act claims	☐
Prepare accounts	☐

Summary: Probate Checklist

Gathering Information

Task	Done
Locate original will	☐
Order death certificates	☐
List all assets	☐
List all debts	☐
Value assets	☐
Identify beneficiaries	☐

IHT Forms

Task	Done
Determine which forms needed	☐
Complete IHT205 or IHT400	☐
Calculate any IHT due	☐
Arrange IHT payment	☐

Probate Application

Task	Done
Complete PA1P/PA1A	☐
Submit application	☐
Pay fee	☐
Send original will	☐
Wait for grant	☐

After Grant

Task	Done
Collect assets	☐
Place creditor ads	☐
Pay debts	☐
File tax returns	☐
Wait 6+ months	☐
Get tax clearance	☐
Distribute estate	☐
Get receipts	☐

Key Resources

Resource	Details
Gov.uk probate	gov.uk/applying-for-probate
HMRC bereavement helpline	0300 200 3300
Citizens Advice	Free guidance
STEP solicitors	step.org/find-member

Probate is administrative, not mysterious. Take it step by step, keep good records, and don’t hesitate to get professional help if the estate is complex. Most delays come from waiting — for valuations, for institutions to respond, for time limits to pass.