Property owned in the sole name of the deceased
If the deceased owned a property in their sole name, probate will be required, and the property will need to be professionally valued before you can apply.
Probate Services
Probate support that keeps things moving forward
Our dedicated team is ready to support you through every step of the estate administration process. Whether you need full support or just assistance with arranging a grant, we’re here to help.
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We were named Estate Planning Firm of the Year – Boutique at the 2025 British Wills and Probate Awards.
Choose the right option for you
Complete Probate Service
Not comfortable with doing it yourself? Sit back and let our experts handle everything from start to finish.
We will...
- Arrange the Grant of Probate through our regulated legal partners
- Value assets and identify liabilities
- Deal with banks, utility providers, and other institutions
- Settle debts and distribute inheritances to beneficiaries
- Prepare estate accounts and keep you informed throughout
So what does it cost
- From £2,000
Additional Fees
- Probate registry fee £526
- Additional grant copies £2 each
Grant of Probate Application
Simple estate or confident doing it alone? We'll help you get a Grant of Probate so that you can get started.
We will...
- Work out if any Inheritance Tax is due
- Help complete any necessary forms
- Arrange the Grant of Probate through our regulated legal partners
So what does it cost
- From £900
Additional Fees
- Probate registry fee £526
- Additional grant copies £2 each
What our customers say...
What is Probate?
Probate is a legal document that proves the validity of a Will and grants an Executor the authority to administer the deceased’s estate. Probate is also used to describe the process of dealing with the deceased’s property, money, debts, and possessions. If there is no Will, the deceased’s next of kin can apply to be an Administrator, granting them the authority to carry out this process.
Applying for Probate may be necessary before any asset transfers or distributions can occur, so it is best to check before making plans.
Do I need to apply for Probate?
Not every estate requires probate. Typically, if the estate is small or assets were owned jointly, such as a joint bank account or a property owned as joint tenants, it may not be needed at all.
However, probate is usually required in the following situations:
Property owned as tenants in common
Each person owns a distinct share that does not pass automatically, so probate is required to manage or transfer that share to a new owner.
Bank or savings accounts above the institution's threshold
Every financial institution sets its own probate threshold, with limits typically ranging between £5,000 and £50,000.
Stocks and shares held in the deceased's sole name
Probate is required when an estate includes stocks and shares.
Significant assets held solely in the deceased's name
This includes things like a valuable art collection, antiques, or a business.
There is no Will (intestacy)
If there’s no Will, you won’t apply for probate itself, but you may still need a Grant of Letters of Administration to deal with the estate. The process is similar, and we can help with that too.
Your questions answered
Only the named Executors can apply to administer an estate if there is a Will. If there is no Will, the deceased’s next of kin must apply to be an Administrator.
The order of who can apply to act as an Administrator is:
- Spouse or civil partner
- Children, which can include adopted children and children born outside of marriage
- Parents
- Brothers and sisters, or if they have died, their children
- Half-brothers or half-sisters, or if they have died, their children
- Grandparents
- Uncles or aunts, or if they have died, their children
- Half-uncles or half-aunts, or if they have died, their children
Applying for a Grant of Probate can take up to 16 weeks if you use a professional, and even longer if you make a personal application.
It can take between 6 and 12 months to complete the entire estate administration process, with complex estates taking longer.
No, you don’t have to act as an Executor as long as you haven’t started carrying out estate duties (known as intermeddling) and probate hasn’t been granted in your name.
If you do not want to act, there are several options available:
- Renunciation: You can formally give up your role, but you will not be able to act at any point.
- Power reserved: If there are other named Executors, you can step to one side and let them act without you, but you can choose to join later.
- Appoint a professional: You can instruct a professional to act on your behalf.
Once you begin acting, you are legally considered to have accepted the role and responsibilities of an Executor, and at that point, you cannot simply walk away.
If you are a named Executor in a Will, you can be held legally and financially responsible if you fail to carry out your duties correctly, even if they are genuine mistakes.
You’ll have a dedicated case handler who will guide you through the estate administration process, liaise with institutions, and manage communication. However, we ensure that any regulated activities, such as applying for the Grant of Probate, are completed by a fully authorised solicitor.
The two roles are very similar as they are both personal representatives of the deceased’s estate; they are just appointed differently. An Executor is appointed through a valid Will, and an Administrator is appointed after applying for the role.
Get in touch
For support with Wills, Trusts, LPAs or Probate, please complete our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.