Probate guides: plain English, no jargon
Everything an executor needs to know about probate in England and Wales. Written clearly, kept accurate, and updated to reflect current rules and fees.
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Getting started
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What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process of administering a person's estate after they die. Learn what it means, when it's required, and how it works.
6 min readDo I Need Probate?
Not every estate requires probate. Find out when a Grant of Probate is required, bank thresholds, and which assets pass automatically.
7 min readWhat to Do When Someone Dies and Leaves a Will
A practical guide to the immediate steps when someone dies and leaves a will — who does what, what to do first, and how to begin the probate process.
7 min readProbate Checklist for Executors
A complete step-by-step probate checklist for executors in England and Wales — from registering the death to final distribution, in the right order.
8 min readWhat to Do in the First Week After Someone Dies
A practical day-by-day guide to the most urgent tasks in the week after a death: registering the death, Tell Us Once, securing the property, notifying the bank, and finding the will.
7 min readHow to Register a Death in England and Wales
You must register a death within five days. Who can register, which register office to use, what documents are needed, death certificates, and Tell Us Once explained.
6 min readHow to Find a Will After Someone Dies
Where to look for a will, the National Will Register, Certainty, unclaimed estates, what to do if no will can be found, and how to confirm a will is legally valid.
6 min readApplying for probate
The application process, documents, fees and timelines.
How to Apply for Probate
Step-by-step guide to applying for probate online or by post. PA1P and PA1A forms, documents needed, fees, and timelines.
8 min readDocuments Needed for Probate
A complete list of documents required to apply for probate in England and Wales — death certificate, will, asset valuations, ID and more.
6 min readHow Much Does Probate Cost?
Court fee is £300 for most estates. Sealed copies cost £16 each. Full breakdown of every cost and a comparison of DIY vs professional probate.
6 min readHow Long Does Probate Take?
GOV.UK says probate is usually granted within 12 weeks of applying. Full estate administration typically takes 6–18 months. What affects the timeline.
5 min readIHT205 Form Guide
The IHT205 was replaced in January 2022. Current rules for excepted estates, when IHT400 is needed, and how inheritance tax reporting works today.
7 min readWhat Happens After Probate Is Granted?
After probate is granted the real work of estate administration begins. This guide explains next steps from notifying institutions to final distribution.
7 min readThe Probate Registry: What It Does and How to Apply
What the Probate Registry is, how to apply online or by post, what happens after you submit, timelines, and contact details.
6 min readEstate Valuation for Probate: What Date, What Assets Count
How to value an estate for probate. The date of death valuation rule, what assets to include, property, investments, joint assets, and debts to deduct.
7 min readDIY vs using a solicitor
Whether to handle probate yourself or instruct a professional.
Can I Do Probate Without a Solicitor?
Many executors handle straightforward probate themselves. This guide explains when DIY is suitable, the steps involved, and when professional help may be worth it.
7 min readDIY Probate vs Using a Solicitor
A clear comparison of handling probate yourself versus using a solicitor — costs, time, complexity, and which route makes sense for your estate.
6 min readExecutor duties
Your responsibilities from death through to final distribution.
Executor Duties Explained
As executor you have legal responsibilities and potential personal liability. Everything you must do from death through to final distribution.
8 min readWho Do Executors Need to Contact After a Death?
A comprehensive guide to every institution, organisation and authority an executor may need to notify after someone dies in England and Wales.
7 min readTell Us Once: How to Notify Government After a Death
Tell Us Once notifies HMRC, DWP, DVLA and councils in one step. What it covers, what it does not, and how to use it after registering a death.
5 min readSection 27 Notice in The Gazette: Protecting Executors
A Section 27 Trustee Act notice protects executors from unknown creditor claims. When to place one, what it costs, and how long to wait before distributing.
6 min readMultiple Executors: How Probate Works With More Than One
When a will names more than one executor, they must act together. Power reserved, disagreements between executors, what happens if an executor dies, and practical guidance.
6 min readRenouncing Probate: Can an Executor Step Down?
An executor can renounce probate before they have intermeddled in the estate. The process, form PA1R, what happens next, and the difference between renouncing and power reserved.
6 min readHow to Deal With HMRC After Someone Dies
HMRC obligations after a death: final tax return, income tax to date of death, estate income, Self Assessment, PAYE, and how to close HMRC records as an executor.
7 min readHow to Stop the State Pension and Benefits After a Death
How to notify DWP, how to stop the state pension, overpayments and what happens to them, other benefits to cancel, and how Tell Us Once simplifies the process.
6 min readExecutor vs Administrator: What Is the Difference?
An executor is named in a will; an administrator is appointed when there is no will. The duties are similar but the legal process differs. Letters of Administration vs Grant of Probate explained.
5 min readFuneral Costs: Who Pays and Can They Be Reclaimed From the Estate?
Funeral costs are a first charge on the estate and take priority over debts and beneficiaries. Who pays upfront, how to reclaim from the estate, and what is reasonable.
6 min readBanks, property and estate admin
Notifying institutions, closing accounts, selling and transferring property.
Closing Bank Accounts After Death
How to notify banks, documents needed, bank thresholds for releasing funds without probate, joint accounts, and bereavement contacts.
6 min readHow to Notify Banks After Someone Dies
Step-by-step guide to notifying banks of a death — what documents to send, what to expect, and how the bank bereavement process works.
6 min readBank Probate Thresholds Explained
Banks set their own thresholds for releasing funds without probate. This guide explains how they work and what to expect from UK high-street banks.
5 min readWhat Happens to Joint Bank Accounts When Someone Dies?
Joint bank accounts usually pass to the surviving account holder by right of survivorship. When probate is needed, how banks handle joint accounts, and IHT implications.
6 min readSelling Property During Probate
Can you sell before probate is granted? Practical steps, Land Registry requirements, capital gains tax considerations for executors.
7 min readTransferring Property After Probate: Assents and Sales Explained
After probate is granted, property must be formally transferred. The difference between a sale and an assent, Land Registry requirements, AP1 form, and what executors must do.
7 min readWhat Happens to a Mortgage When Someone Dies?
What happens to a mortgage after death depends on whether it is held jointly or in a sole name. This guide explains the options, mortgage protection insurance, and what executors must do.
7 min readHow to Value a Property for Probate
How to value residential property for probate. Using an estate agent, RICS surveyor, VOA challenge, the date-of-death rule, and how to report the value to HMRC correctly.
7 min readWills, intestacy and legal process
Wills, intestacy rules, contesting, deeds of variation and specific situations.
Probate Without a Will (Intestacy)
Rules of intestacy, who inherits, applying for Letters of Administration, who can apply, and how it differs from probate with a will.
7 min readIntestacy Rules: Who Inherits If There Is No Will?
The rules of intestacy in England and Wales determine who inherits when someone dies without a will. Spouse, children, parents, siblings: the full order of priority explained.
7 min readDo I Need Probate If There Is a Will?
Having a will does not always mean probate is required — and not having one doesn't mean it isn't. This guide clarifies the common misconception.
5 min readDo I Need Probate for a House?
If the deceased owned a property in their sole name, probate is almost always required. Land Registry requirements, exceptions, and next steps explained.
6 min readProbate for Small Estates: When Is It Needed?
Small estates may not need probate at all. This guide explains when small estates can be administered without a grant and what counts as 'small'.
5 min readLetters of Administration Explained
When there is no will, executors apply for Letters of Administration. Who can apply, the order of priority, costs, timelines, and how it differs from probate.
7 min readWhat Is a Grant of Representation?
A Grant of Representation is the legal document that gives an executor or administrator authority to deal with an estate. The three types, when each applies, and how to apply.
6 min readHow to Contest a Will in England and Wales
Grounds for contesting a will: lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud, improper execution. The process, timelines, costs, and what happens if a challenge succeeds.
8 min readProbate Caveat: How to Stop Probate Being Granted
A probate caveat prevents a grant of probate being issued for six months. Who can enter one, why, the £20 fee, how the process works, and what happens next.
6 min readDeed of Variation: Redirecting an Inheritance After Death
A deed of variation allows beneficiaries to redirect their inheritance within two years of death. IHT and CGT implications, how it works, and when it makes sense.
7 min readJoint Tenants vs Tenants in Common: Probate and Inheritance
Joint tenants and tenants in common are treated very differently when someone dies. This guide explains the difference, right of survivorship, severance, and what probate is needed.
6 min readInheritance tax
Nil-rate bands, exemptions, IHT forms, and how to minimise the tax bill legally.
Inheritance Tax Explained for Executors
Nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band, transferable allowances, excepted estates, IHT400, payment deadlines and instalment options explained.
8 min readInheritance Tax Nil-Rate Band and Residence Nil-Rate Band Explained
The nil-rate band (£325,000) and residence nil-rate band (£175,000) reduce the inheritance tax bill on most estates. Transferable allowances, tapering, and examples explained.
7 min readHow to Pay Inheritance Tax Before Probate Is Granted
HMRC requires IHT to be paid before probate is granted, but banks will not release funds until after. How to use the HMRC Direct Payment Scheme to pay IHT from estate accounts without probate.
7 min readIHT205 Form Guide
The IHT205 was replaced in January 2022. Current rules for excepted estates, when IHT400 is needed, and how inheritance tax reporting works today.
7 min readLife Insurance and Probate: Does a Policy Go Through the Estate?
Whether life insurance forms part of the estate depends on how the policy is written. Policies written in trust, nomination of beneficiaries, IHT implications, and what executors must do.
6 min readAssets and the estate
Pensions, shares, digital assets, life insurance, overseas assets and more.
What Happens to a Pension When Someone Dies?
Pension death benefits, nomination of beneficiaries, defined contribution vs defined benefit schemes, lump sums, drawdown, and whether pensions form part of the estate.
8 min readWhat Happens to Shares and Investments When Someone Dies?
Shares, ISAs, unit trusts and investment accounts after death. How to value them for probate, transfer or sell holdings, and deal with share registrars and platforms.
7 min readWhat Happens to an ISA When Someone Dies?
ISAs do not pass tax-free automatically. Additional Permitted Subscriptions (APS), when the ISA wrapper ends, IHT position, and how to deal with a deceased's ISA as executor.
7 min readWhat Happens to Digital Assets and Online Accounts After Death?
Digital assets after death: cryptocurrency, online bank accounts, PayPal, social media, email, and subscriptions. How executors access, value, and deal with digital estates.
7 min readOverseas Assets and Probate: What Executors Need to Know
Foreign property, bank accounts, and investments create complications for executors. Resealing grants, ancillary probate, double taxation treaties, and HMRC reporting explained.
8 min readEquity Release: What Happens When Someone Dies?
When someone with an equity release plan dies, the executor must notify the lender promptly. Repayment timelines, options for surviving co-borrowers, and what executors need to do.
7 min readEstate administration
Preparing estate accounts, understanding what beneficiaries are owed, and dealing with the details of the estate.
How to Prepare Estate Accounts as an Executor
Executors must prepare estate accounts showing all assets, debts, income, expenses, and distributions. What estate accounts must contain, who sees them, and how to prepare them.
7 min readRights of Beneficiaries in an Estate
Beneficiaries have the right to receive the estate within a reasonable time and to receive proper estate accounts. What you can ask an executor, when you can challenge them, and what recourse you have.
7 min readWhat Is the Residuary Estate?
The residuary estate is everything left over after specific gifts, debts, taxes and expenses have been paid. How it is calculated, who receives it, and what happens if a residuary beneficiary dies first.
6 min readWhat Are Chattels in a Will?
Chattels are personal possessions: furniture, jewellery, cars, art, household goods. How they are defined in law, how to value them for probate, and how they are distributed under a will.
5 min readBank and institution guides
How to notify specific banks and close accounts after a death, with probate thresholds and bereavement contacts.
Closing a Barclays Account After Death
How to notify Barclays of a death, documents required, Barclays probate threshold, what happens to direct debits, and bereavement team contact details.
7 min readClosing a Lloyds Bank Account After Death
How to notify Lloyds of a death, documents needed, the probate threshold, what happens to standing orders, and Lloyds bereavement team contacts.
7 min readClosing an HSBC Account After Death
How to notify HSBC of a death, documents required, the HSBC probate threshold, joint accounts, ISAs, and HSBC bereavement team contact details.
7 min readClosing a NatWest Account After Death
How to notify NatWest of a death, documents needed, NatWest probate threshold, direct debits, joint accounts and bereavement team contact details.
7 min readClosing a Nationwide Account After Death
How to notify Nationwide of a death, documents required, Nationwide probate threshold, joint accounts, ISAs, and Nationwide bereavement team contacts.
7 min readClosing a Santander Account After Death
How to notify Santander of a death, documents needed, Santander probate threshold, direct debits, joint accounts, and Santander bereavement contacts.
7 min readClosing a Halifax Account After Death
How to notify Halifax of a death, documents needed, Halifax probate threshold, what happens to direct debits, joint accounts, and bereavement contacts.
7 min readNS&I and Premium Bonds After Death
What happens to NS&I accounts and Premium Bonds after death. The NS&I probate threshold, prize draw rules for 12 months after death, and how to encash bonds.
7 min readClosing a TSB Account After Death
How to notify TSB of a death, documents required, TSB probate threshold, what happens to direct debits and standing orders, and TSB bereavement team contacts.
7 min readClosing a First Direct Account After Death
How to notify First Direct of a death, documents needed, First Direct probate threshold, joint accounts, and First Direct bereavement team contact details.
7 min readClosing a Virgin Money Account After Death
How to notify Virgin Money of a death, documents required, probate threshold, ISAs and savings accounts, and Virgin Money bereavement team contacts.
7 min readClosing a Co-operative Bank Account After Death
How to notify the Co-operative Bank of a death, documents needed, probate threshold, joint accounts, and Co-op Bank bereavement team contact details.
7 min readClosing a Yorkshire Building Society Account After Death
How to notify Yorkshire Building Society of a death, documents required, YBS probate threshold, ISAs, joint accounts, and YBS bereavement contacts.
7 min readClosing a Monzo Account After Death
How to notify Monzo of a death, Monzo bereavement process, documents required, what happens to funds in a Monzo account, and how to access the estate.
6 min readClosing a Starling Bank Account After Death
How to notify Starling Bank of a death, Starling bereavement process, documents needed, what happens to funds, joint accounts, and how to close the account.
6 min readNot sure what applies to your estate?
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