Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
Complete form PA1P online or by post, value the estate, submit inheritance tax forms (IHT205 or IHT400), and pay the £300 fee (for estates over £5,000 — increased January 2025). Digital applications are currently taking approximately 4–8 weeks to receive the grant from HMCTS; the full estate administration process typically takes 6–12 months. DIY costs £300 vs 1–4% of the estate value for a solicitor. For comprehensive coverage of the full UK probate process, see our complete guide to probate in the UK.
Before you apply — let us check everything first.
Farra walks you through the entire process and flags common reasons applications get sent back.
Get startedFill out form PA1P online or on paper. The form asks about the deceased, the executor, and the estate value. Take your time and double-check all details.
Pay the £300 application fee (for estates over £5,000; increased from £273 in January 2025) plus £1.50 for each additional copy you need. Submit everything to the probate registry by post or online.
You'll be invited to swear an oath that the information is true. This can be done at a probate registry office or with a solicitor.
Digital probate applications are currently taking approximately 4–8 weeks to receive the grant once submitted to HMCTS. The full estate administration process — valuing the estate, dealing with HMRC, applying, and distributing — typically takes 6–12 months. For a detailed walkthrough of the entire probate timeline, read our full UK probate process guide. Be patient and don't hesitate to contact the probate registry if you have concerns.
Once you receive the Grant of Probate, you have the legal authority to deal with the estate and can begin distributing assets to beneficiaries.
Completing these forms yourself?
1 in 3 applications are sent back for form errors. In 2 minutes, we'll check the fields people most often get wrong — before you submit.
Yes — most people can apply online at gov.uk/applying-for-probate. You pay £300 (estates over £5,000) and don't need a solicitor. Solicitors typically charge 1–4% of the estate value, so for a £300,000 estate that's £3,000–£12,000. DIY is suitable if the estate is straightforward with a clear will.
The original will, the original death certificate (or a certified copy), the completed PA1P form (with a will) or PA1A form (without a will), and the probate fee of £300. If inheritance tax is due, you'll also need IHT400 form submission confirmation.
Digital applications are currently taking approximately 4–8 weeks to receive the grant once submitted to HMCTS. Postal applications take longer. The full estate administration process (valuing estate, paying IHT, applying, distributing) typically takes 6–12 months.
Having a will doesn't remove the need for probate — it just means you use form PA1P instead of PA1A. You still need a Grant of Probate to access most assets above institutional thresholds (typically £5,000–£50,000 depending on the bank).
The court fee is £300 for estates over £5,000. Additional costs include death certificate copies (£11 each — order 8–12), and any professional valuation fees for property or unusual assets. Total DIY cost is typically £400–£600 plus professional valuations.
1 in 3 probate applications are sent back. The most common reason: errors on exactly these forms.
Answer 5 questions in under 2 minutes. We'll tell you which forms apply to your estate, what goes in the fields people most often get wrong, and check your answers before you submit.
Free to check · 2 minutes · No account needed · £179 for your full probate pack