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.
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Complete form PA1P online or by post, value the estate, submit inheritance tax forms (IHT205 or IHT400), and pay £273 fee. You'll take an oath confirming information is true. Grant of Probate arrives in 8-12 weeks. DIY costs £273 vs £2,000+ for solicitor. Needed if estate over £5,000 or deceased owned property. For comprehensive coverage of the full UK probate process, see our complete guide to probate in the UK.
Fill 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 £273 application fee 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.
Probate applications typically take 8-12 weeks to process, sometimes longer if there are complications. 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.
Probate applications typically take 8-12 weeks to process from submission to receiving the Grant of Probate. This timeline can be longer if there are complications with the application, missing documents, or if the estate is particularly complex.
The probate application fee is £273 for estates worth over £5,000. You'll also pay £1.50 for each additional certified copy of the Grant of Probate you need. If you use a solicitor, their fees typically range from 1-5% of the estate value plus VAT.
No, probate isn't always required. You typically don't need probate if the estate is worth less than £5,000, all assets were jointly owned and pass by survivorship, or all assets had nominated beneficiaries. Banks and other institutions set their own thresholds for releasing funds without probate.
Yes, you can apply for probate yourself without using a solicitor. The process involves completing form PA1P, submitting inheritance tax forms, and providing the original will and death certificate. Many people successfully handle straightforward estates themselves, though complex estates may benefit from professional help.
You need the original will and any codicils, the original death certificate, completed inheritance tax forms (IHT205 or IHT400), form PA1P, and a detailed list of all assets and debts. You'll also need to pay the £273 application fee.
Once you receive the Grant of Probate, you have legal authority to collect the deceased's assets, pay any debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining estate to beneficiaries according to the will. You should send certified copies of the Grant to banks, insurance companies, and other asset holders.
Find out if you need probate in the UK. Property always needs probate. Small estates under £5K-£50K may not (depends on bank). Joint assets exempt.
Complete checklist of documents needed for probate in the UK. From death certificates to asset valuations - everything executors need to gather for probate applications.
Probate timeline UK: how long from death to grant of probate to distributing estate. Average 3-12 months. Delays, speeding up probate, what affects timeline.
Should you do probate yourself or use a solicitor? Complete cost comparison: DIY £273-£800 vs Solicitor £1,500-£10,000+. Time, risk, and decision framework.
Ultimate step-by-step probate guide: 10-stage process, realistic timelines (6-18 months), complete costs (DIY vs solicitor), IHT forms, executor duties, common problems & solutions.
Ready to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order, and what to do when it gets complicated.
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