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

If someone has just died and you don't know where to begin, start here.

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 read

Do 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 read

What 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 read

Probate 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 read

What 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 read

How 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 read

How 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 read

Applying 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 read

Documents 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 read

How Much Does Probate Cost?

The court fee is £526 for estates over £5,000. Sealed copies are £2 each with the application. Full breakdown of every cost and a comparison of DIY vs professional probate.

6 min read

How 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 read

How Long Does Probate Take in 2026? A Realistic Timeline

A calm, step-by-step walkthrough of the probate timeline in 2026 — from registering the death to distributing the estate — with realistic ranges for simple and complex estates.

8 min read

IHT205 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 read

Probate Forms Explained: PA1P, PA1A and the Others

PA1P is the paper probate form when there is a will, PA1A when there is not. Every current probate form, when you need it, and the £526 fee.

7 min read

What 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 read

The 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 read

Estate 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 read

Is There a Time Limit to Apply for Probate?

There is no deadline to apply for probate in England and Wales, but Inheritance Tax is due by the end of the sixth month and claims against the estate run from the grant. Every date that matters.

7 min read

DIY 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 read

DIY 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 read

Executor 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 read

Who 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 read

Tell 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 read

Section 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 read

Multiple 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 read

Renouncing Probate: Can an Executor Step Down?

An executor can renounce probate before they have intermeddled in the estate. The process, form PA15, what happens next, and the difference between renouncing and power reserved.

6 min read

How 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 read

How 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 read

Executor 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 read

Funeral 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 read

Banks, 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 read

How 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 read

Bank 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 read

What 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 read

What Happens to Direct Debits When Someone Dies?

Direct debits and standing orders stop when the bank is told about the death. Which bills to keep paying, which to cancel, refunds and joint accounts.

6 min read

Selling Property During Probate

Can you sell before probate is granted? Practical steps, Land Registry requirements, capital gains tax considerations for executors.

7 min read

Transferring 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 read

What 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 read

How 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 read

Wills, 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 read

Intestacy 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 read

Do 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 read

Do I Need Probate If I'm the Sole Beneficiary?

Being the only beneficiary does not remove the need for probate. What decides it is what the person owned and how: sole-name property and larger balances still need a grant.

7 min read

Do 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 read

Probate 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 read

Letters 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 read

What 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 read

How 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 read

Probate 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 £4 fee, how the process works, and what happens next.

6 min read

Deed 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 read

Joint 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 read

Inheritance 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 read

Inheritance 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 read

How 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 read

IHT205 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 read

Life 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 read

Assets 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 read

What 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 read

What 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 read

What 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 read

Overseas 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 read

Equity 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 read

Estate 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 read

How Long After Probate Do Beneficiaries Get Their Inheritance?

Often 3 to 6 months after the grant for a simple estate. The 2-month creditor notice, the 6-month claim window, the executor's year and interim payments.

7 min read

Rights 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 read

What 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 read

What 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 read

How Long to Keep Bank Statements and Estate Records After a Death

HMRC can ask for Inheritance Tax records up to 20 years after the tax is paid. What executors should keep, and what can safely go.

5 min read

Bank 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

NS&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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Closing 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 read

Bank of Scotland Bereavement: 0800 015 0012 & What to Send

Bank of Scotland's bereavement team: 0800 015 0012 (8am–6pm, 7 days; +44 (0)1733 261630 from abroad). Online form, the two things to bring, joint accounts, and the group firms it tells for you. Checked on bankofscotland.co.uk, Oct 2026.

4 min read

RBS Bereavement Service: 0800 161 5904 & What to Send

RBS bereavement advisors: 0800 161 5904 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm; +44 (0)1204 684 659 from abroad). Online forms, the BER reference, documents, and how RBS pays funeral bills. Checked on rbs.co.uk, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Metro Bank Bereavement: 0203 824 4815 & What to Send

Metro Bank's bereavement team is on 0203 824 4815 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Up to £10,000 needs no grant; £10,000.01–£35,000 needs an indemnity form; above £35,000 you need probate. Checked on metrobankonline.co.uk, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Tesco Bank Bereavement: 0345 071 6153 (Now Part of Barclays)

Tesco Bank's bereavement team: 0345 071 6153 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm). Probate is only needed over £50,000 in a sole name. Tesco Bank is now part of Barclays but won't tell Barclays for you. Checked on tescobank.com, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Post Office Savings Bereavement: 0800 169 7500 & the £30,000 Rule

Post Office savings are provided by Bank of Ireland UK. Bereavement line 0800 169 7500; under £30,000 no grant is needed, over £30,000 send the Grant of Probate. Card account line 0345 722 3344. Checked on postoffice.co.uk, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Pension, life insurance and investment providers

Who to call, what to send and how payouts are decided, checked on each provider's own site.

Aviva Bereavement: 0345 268 2194 & How to Notify

Aviva's bereavement line is 0345 268 2194 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Separate online forms for life cover, pensions, annuities and bonds, and what Aviva asks for. Checked on aviva.co.uk, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Legal & General Bereavement: Life Claims 0800 137 101 & Annuities

Legal & General life claims: 0800 137 101 (over 50s plans 0800 009 3506). Annuity bereavements: 0345 026 3858. What to have ready, policies in trust, and the 15-working-day aim. Checked on legalandgeneral.com, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Scottish Widows Bereavement: 0345 601 4179 & What to Send

Tell Scottish Widows about a death on 0345 601 4179 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) or online. Already told Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland? You don't need to. Where to post the death certificate. Checked on scottishwidows.co.uk, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Royal London Bereavement: Which Number to Call (0345 646 2092)

Royal London uses a different bereavement number for each policy type. Not sure which? Call 0345 646 2092 or use the online form. Numbers for over 50s, pensions, CIS, Royal Liver and more. Checked on royallondon.com, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Prudential Bereavement: 0800 000 000 & Online Form (Now M&G)

Prudential's bereavement line is 0800 000 000 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm), or report a death online in about 10 minutes. Post to Prudential, Lancing, BN15 8GB. Prudential UK is now part of M&G. Checked on mandg.com, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Standard Life Bereavement: Online Form & the 2-Year Rule

Standard Life asks you to report a death with its online form; a bereavement specialist contacts you within 2 weeks. Why the 2-year pension deadline matters, and what to have ready. Checked on standardlife.co.uk, Oct 2026.

4 min read

Hargreaves Lansdown Bereavement: 0117 906 7806 & Next Steps

HL's bereavement team: 0117 906 7806 (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm). Under £50,000 (excluding pensions) a certified will can replace probate. What to post to HL Estates in Bristol and how SIPPs are paid. Checked on hl.co.uk, Oct 2026.

4 min read

More guides and checklists

Specific situations, smaller banks and building societies, and printable checklists.

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