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Farra publishes information about death administration in England and Wales. It is not legal, financial or tax advice, and we are not solicitors — for a disputed will or a complicated estate, speak to one.

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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.

Estate & Probate

Managing an estate and applying for probate can be complex. Get clear guidance on executor responsibilities, the probate process, and estate administration.

70 guides

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Farm Inheritance Tax: APR and BPR Changes ExplainedFrom April 2026, Agricultural Property Relief is capped at £1 million. Learn how this affects family farms and what executors need to know.
New Year Estate Planning 2026: Getting Your Affairs in OrderEstate planning guide covering wills, LPAs, and the IHT changes that took effect in April 2026 and are due in April 2027.
Pensions and Inheritance Tax: The 2027 ChangesFrom April 2027, unused pension funds will be subject to inheritance tax. Learn what's changing and how it affects bereaved families.

Everything else

APR and BPR: What Changed on 6 April 2026Since 6 April 2026 a £2.5m allowance applies to property qualifying for 100% agricultural or business property relief, transferable between spouses, with 50% relief above it.
Autumn Budget 2025: What Actually Changed for Inheritance TaxThe November 2025 Budget confirmed IHT changes. Learn what was announced, what the rumours got wrong, and what it means for bereaved families.
Capital Gains Tax on Inherited Property UK: CGT Rates, Reliefs & How to Calculate 2026Do you pay Capital Gains Tax on inherited property? CGT rates, Private Residence Relief, lettings relief, CGT allowance, how to calculate CGT on property sale after death.
Complete Guide to Applying for ProbateStep-by-step probate application process, forms needed, costs, and typical timeframes for grant of probate.
Complete UK Probate Guide 2026Ultimate 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.
Contesting a Will UK: Grounds, Process, Costs & Success Rates 2026How to contest a will: valid grounds, who can contest, caveat process, mediation vs court, costs £3K-£100K+, success rates, and timeline.
Deceased's Tax Return UK: Executor Guide to Final Self Assessment 2026Executor's guide to deceased tax returns: who must file, final tax return deadlines, claiming refunds, reporting income after death, HMRC notification.
Dependants' Claims Against an Estate: The Inheritance Act ExplainedThe Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 lets certain people challenge a will or intestacy that leaves them without reasonable financial provision. Who can claim, the 6-month deadline, and what courts consider.
Digital Assets After Death: Complete UK GuideWhat happens to digital assets after death? Handle social media, email, cloud storage, cryptocurrency, online banking. Complete executor guide.
DIY Probate vs Solicitor Costs UK 2026Should you do probate yourself or use a solicitor? Complete cost comparison: DIY £550-£1,000 vs Solicitor £1,500-£10,000+. Time, risk, and decision framework.
Do You Need Probate UK? Complete Guide 2026Find 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.
Does a Pension Go Through Probate When Someone Dies?Most DC pensions bypass probate entirely — they pass in discretionary trust outside the estate. Find out which pensions are exceptions, what executors must do, and how IHT rules change in April 2027.
Does Life Insurance Count as Part of the Estate for Probate?Life insurance only counts as part of the estate if it is NOT written in trust. How to find out, what executors must do, IHT implications, and how to claim as executor or beneficiary.
Estate Administration Checklist: Complete UK Guide for ExecutorsComprehensive estate administration checklist for UK executors. Step-by-step guide covering probate, asset collection, debt payment, and distribution with timelines.
Executor Refusing to Act UK: Rights, Removal & What to Do 2026Executor won't act or communicate? Your rights, removing executors, court proceedings, delays, disputes, and alternative solutions.
Executor's April 5th Tax Year-End Checklist 2026Urgent checklist for executors before April 5th tax year-end. Capital Gains Tax allowances, IHT planning, and estate admin actions before April 6th changes.
Filing a Tax Return for a Deceased Person UK: Step-by-Step GuideHow to file Self Assessment tax return for someone who died. HMRC bereavement relief, deadline extensions, executor responsibilities, and penalty cancellation.
Finding the Will: Where to LookCommon places to search for a will, using the National Will Register, and what to do if you can't find one.
Fixed Fee vs Percentage Probate: How to Compare What You're Actually PayingPercentage probate fees are almost always more expensive than fixed fees on UK estates. How to compare quotes properly, identify hidden VAT and disbursement costs, and what to ask before instructing anyone.
Grant-Only Probate Services: What They Are and Whether You Need OneA grant-only service means a professional applies for the grant while you handle the administration. Costs £400–£800. When it makes sense, what's included, and what you still do yourself.
HMRC Processing Times for Deceased Estates 2026: IHT400 + MoreHMRC IHT400 review takes ~12 weeks before IHT421 issues for probate. Tax repayments 8–10 weeks. Bereavement Service helpline, delays and the full timeline.
How to Complete the IHT400 Form: Step-by-Step Walkthrough (2026)How to complete IHT400 Inheritance Tax form: step-by-step guide, schedules needed, common mistakes, IHT400 vs IHT205, deadlines, submitting to HMRC.
How to Write a Will UK 2026: Complete GuideLearn how to write a legally valid will in the UK. Legal requirements, what to include, DIY vs solicitor costs, and common mistakes to avoid.
I've Found a Will: How Do I Know If It's Legally Valid?A valid will in England and Wales must be signed by the testator and two independent witnesses. Use our four-point checklist to assess formal validity before applying for probate.
IHT402 Form: Transferring Unused Nil Rate Band — Complete Guide 2026IHT402 transfers unused nil rate band from a deceased spouse or civil partner. Claim up to £325,000 extra tax-free allowance. Step-by-step completion guide with worked examples.
IHT405 Form: Houses, Land and Buildings — Complete Guide 2026IHT405 lists all property, land, and buildings in the estate for inheritance tax. Get the valuation right to avoid HMRC enquiries. Step-by-step completion guide.
IHT406 Form: Bank and Building Society Accounts — Complete Guide 2026IHT406 lists all bank accounts, savings, and ISAs in the estate. How to get date-of-death balances, handle joint accounts, and include accrued interest.
IHT407 Form: Household and Personal Goods — Complete Guide 2026IHT407 covers furniture, jewellery, cars, art, and personal items in the estate. How to value household goods for HMRC, when professional valuations are needed.
IHT409 Form: Pensions — Complete Guide 2026IHT409 reports the deceased's pensions for inheritance tax — lump sum death benefits, drawdown, annuities, and changes in the last two years, plus the April 2027 change bringing pensions into the estate.
IHT410 Form: Life Assurance and Annuities — Complete Guide 2026IHT410 reports the deceased's life assurance and annuities for inheritance tax — why a policy written in trust falls outside the estate, joint-life and mortgage policies, and common mistakes.
IHT417 Form: Foreign Assets — Complete Guide 2026IHT417 reports the deceased's foreign assets for inheritance tax — when it applies (UK domicile), how to value overseas property and accounts in sterling, and double taxation relief.
IHT419 Form: Debts Owed by the Deceased — Complete Guide 2026IHT419 deducts debts from the taxable estate — mortgages, credit cards, loans, care fees. Which debts HMRC allows and common mistakes that trigger enquiries.
IHT435 Form: Claiming the Residence Nil Rate Band — Complete Guide 2026IHT435 claims the Residence Nil Rate Band (up to £175,000). Conditions, downsizing rules, taper for estates over £2m. Step-by-step guide.
IHT436 Form: Transferring Unused Residence Nil Rate Band — Complete Guide 2026IHT436 transfers unused RNRB from a deceased spouse or civil partner — potentially adding up to £175,000 extra tax-free allowance. Conditions and calculation guide.
Inheritance Tax Thresholds Frozen Until 2031The IHT nil-rate band has been frozen at £325,000 since 2009. Learn how fiscal drag affects estates and what it means for families.
Inheritance Tax UK 2025–26 Guide: Thresholds, Reliefs & How to PayComplete guide to inheritance tax in the UK for 2025–26. Nil-rate band, reliefs, how to calculate IHT, and how to pay HMRC.
Inheritance Tax UK 2026/27: £325K Threshold ExplainedUK inheritance tax 2026/27: £325K nil-rate band, £175K RNRB, 40% rate, 7-year rule. Complete guide with thresholds, exemptions and how to calculate.
Inherited House With Mortgage UK: Options, Responsibilities & Tax 2026Inherited property with mortgage? Your options, mortgage liability, taking over payments, selling with mortgage, insurance claims, and tax implications.
Inherited Rental Property with Tenants UK: Landlord Duties & Rights 2026Inherited property with tenants? Your landlord obligations, taking over tenancy, deposit protection, rental income tax, selling with tenants, eviction rights.
Is an Old Will Still Valid? How to Check Before Starting ProbateThere is no expiry date on a will in England and Wales — but marriage revokes it, divorce lapses gifts to the ex-spouse, and a later will supersedes it. Full checklist before applying for probate.
Joint Bank Account When One Owner Dies: What Happens to the Money?Joint accounts pass automatically to the surviving owner by the right of survivorship — no probate needed. Find out what to tell the bank, how long it takes, and the IHT position.
Living in Inherited Property Rent-Free UK: Rights, Tax & CGT Implications 2026Can you live in inherited property rent-free? Executor rights, beneficiary occupancy rules, council tax, CGT relief, permission needed, living there during probate.
Multiple Wills: Which One Is Valid When There's More Than One?The most recent validly executed will with a revocation clause governs. Learn about partial revocation, mirror wills, foreign wills, destroyed wills, and what to do when two wills have the same date.
Online Probate Services UK 2026: Farewill, Settle and the Alternatives ComparedCompare UK online probate services in 2026 — Farewill, Settle, Co-op Legal Services, DIY via GOV.UK, and Farra. Costs, what's included, and a decision framework for choosing the right option.
Probate ChecklistNot sure if you need probate? Use this guide to understand the process and gather everything you'll need.
Probate Delays and IHT Interest ChargesHMRC charges interest on unpaid inheritance tax — 7.75% since 9 January 2026, tracking Bank Rate plus 4 percentage points. Learn how to pay IHT before probate and avoid unnecessary interest charges.
Probate Fees UK 2026: How Much Does Probate Cost in 2026/27?UK probate application fee is £300 for estates over £5,000. Help with Fees, total costs by scenario, fee history and how to pay from a frozen estate.
Probate Specialist vs Solicitor: What's the Difference and Which Do You Need?Probate specialists and solicitors both have the legal authority to apply for probate but differ significantly on cost and scope. How to verify credentials, compare fee structures, and choose correctly.
Probate Threshold UK 2025: Do I Need Probate? Complete GuideWhen probate is required in the UK in 2025. Asset thresholds by bank and institution, small estate rules, and how to avoid probate where possible.
Probate Threshold UK 2026: How Much Before You Need ItThere is no legal probate threshold. Each bank sets its own limit and most publish none at all, so the figure that matters is the one your bank applies. Property always needs probate.
Probate Waiting Times 2026: How Long Probate Takes Right NowPublished probate processing times for England and Wales, from the Ministry of Justice's quarterly Family Court Statistics, how to check your application, and what causes delays.
Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB) Explained UK: £175K IHT Allowance 2026What is Residence Nil-Rate Band? £175K extra IHT allowance when passing home to children. RNRB eligibility, taper threshold, downsizing relief, how to claim.
Selling an Inherited House: Executor's Step-by-Step Guide 2026Complete guide to selling inherited property: when you can sell, probate requirements, Capital Gains Tax, empty property issues, estate agent vs auction.
The 7-Year Gifting Rule ExplainedHow gifts before death are taxed, taper relief rates, exempt gifts, and what executors need to report on IHT forms.
Transferring Property Title After Death UK: Land Registry Forms, Process & Timeline 2026How to transfer property ownership after death: Land Registry forms (AS1, DJP, AP1), probate requirements, changing deeds, joint tenants vs tenants in common, fees and timeline.
UK IHT Receipts 2026: How Much Inheritance Tax Britain PaysUK inheritance tax receipts hit ~£8.2bn in 2025/26, up 52% in 7 years. Why fiscal drag is driving record IHT — and what April 2027 pension reforms change.
UK Probate Registries 2026: Waiting Times by Court & Location11 UK probate registries: current waiting times by court (Edinburgh fastest, London slowest). Why you can't choose, and how to track yours.
Understanding Inheritance Tax BasicsCurrent IHT thresholds, who needs to pay, exemptions, and how to calculate what's owed on an estate.
Valuing an Estate for Probate UK: Property, Assets, Debts & IHT205/IHT400 2026How to value an estate for probate: property valuation, bank accounts, investments, personal belongings, debts, IHT205 vs IHT400, excepted estates, HMRC requirements.
What Counts as an Asset for Probate? The Complete UK GuideComprehensive guide to what forms part of the probate estate — property, bank accounts, investments, pensions, life insurance, digital assets — and what passes outside probate.
What Documents Do I Need for Probate? Complete UK ChecklistComplete checklist of documents needed for probate in the UK. From death certificates to asset valuations - everything executors need to gather for probate applications.
What If There's No Will (Intestacy Rules)Who inherits when there's no will, intestacy rules explained, and how to apply for letters of administration.
What to Do With Inherited Property UK: Keep, Sell or Rent Guide 2026Inherited property? Decide whether to keep, sell, or rent. Tax implications, CGT, SDLT relief, mortgage options, and step-by-step process.
When You Don't Need ProbateSituations where probate isn't required, including small estates, joint assets, and nominated beneficiaries.
Will Amended by Hand: What Does It Mean for the Estate?Handwritten amendments to a will are presumed invalid — the original wording applies. Find out when an amendment is valid, what obliteration means, and how the Probate Registry assesses amended wills.
Will Signed But Only One Witness: Is It Valid?A will with only one witness is legally invalid in England and Wales — there is no way to fix this after death. Find out what happens to the estate and how to apply for Letters of Administration.
Will Witnessed by a Beneficiary: Is It Still Valid?A will witnessed by a beneficiary is valid, but the beneficiary's gift fails under s.15 Wills Act 1837. The rule catches the witness's spouse too. What executors must do when this problem arises.