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Probate is the legal process of administering a person's estate after they die. It involves proving that a will is valid, valuing all assets and debts, paying any inheritance tax, and then distributing what remains to the beneficiaries. The term 'probate' is often used loosely to describe the whole administration process - strictly speaking, probate refers to the grant issued by the Probate Registry that gives the executor legal authority to act.

Probate is still usually required when there is no will. Without a will, you apply for Letters of Administration rather than a Grant of Probate, and the estate passes under the rules of intestacy. You will likely still need a grant if the estate includes property in the deceased's sole name or assets above the bank's release threshold. Our free assessment tool can help you work out your specific situation.

The court fee for a Grant of Probate is £526. Estates worth £5,000 or less pay no court fee. Official sealed copies of the grant cost £2 each when ordered with your application, or £16 each if you order them later - order at least five to seven with the application, as many banks and institutions will each want to see one. If you use a solicitor, costs vary widely but typically run to 1–4% of the estate value, or a fixed fee for straightforward cases. DIY probate is entirely possible for straightforward estates.

GOV.UK says probate is usually granted within 12 weeks of submitting the application, although straightforward cases may be quicker and more complex or delayed applications can take longer. The full estate administration - from the date of death through to final distribution - often takes 6–18 months. The most common causes of delay are inheritance tax forms, disputed wills, property sales, and assets that are difficult to locate or value.

Yes. Many executors handle straightforward probate themselves rather than paying a professional to manage the process. Settle is designed to make that DIY route clearer and easier to organise, with personalised next steps, task tracking, institution logging and document management in one place. For complex estates, disputes, trusts, overseas assets or serious tax uncertainty, professional advice may still be appropriate.

An executor is the person named in a will who is legally responsible for administering the estate after the person dies. If there is no will, the equivalent role is called an administrator. Executors have significant legal duties: they must identify all assets and debts, value the estate, pay any inheritance tax, apply for probate, pay outstanding debts, and distribute the remaining estate to the beneficiaries.

The IHT205 was a simplified inheritance tax declaration form used for straightforward estates below the nil-rate band. It was abolished for deaths on or after 1 January 2022. For most simple estates today, no inheritance tax form is needed at all - the estate qualifies as an 'excepted estate' and you simply confirm this on the probate application. Larger or more complex estates use the IHT400.

No. Settle is an administrative organiser designed to help executors understand the probate process and keep track of what needs to be done. It is not a law firm, is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. The information on this site is for general guidance only. For complex estates, consult a qualified solicitor.