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A caveat costs £3 and lasts 6 months. It stops the Probate Registry from issuing a grant. Enter it online or by post (form PA8A). It can be renewed. The executor can issue a Warning Notice, which forces the caveator to respond within 8 days or lose the caveat.
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A caveat is the essential first step in any contentious probate dispute. By entering a caveat, you instruct the Probate Registry not to issue a Grant of Probate to the executor without first notifying you, giving you time to investigate and take legal advice without the estate being distributed.
This guide explains exactly how to enter a caveat, the process after it is entered, the Warning Notice procedure, renewal, and when a caveat should and should not be used.
Once a caveat is entered:
A caveat does not prevent the executor from continuing to manage urgent matters relating to the estate (such as paying care bills or maintaining a property) — it only prevents the formal legal authority of the grant from being obtained.
There are two methods:
Apply online via the HMCTS probate service at apply-for-probate.service.gov.uk. You will need to create an account or log in, then select “Enter a caveat” and complete the form with the deceased's details. Pay the £3 fee by card. The caveat is entered immediately.
Complete form PA8A (available from the HMCTS website or any Probate Registry) and post it with the £3 fee (cheque or postal order) to the Principal Registry of the Family Division, First Avenue House, 42–49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP.
The caveat must include:
A caveat lasts 6 months from the date of entry. Before it expires, you can renew it for a further 6 months by applying to the Probate Registry and paying a further £3 fee. There is no limit on the number of times a caveat can be renewed — a caveat can remain in place indefinitely if renewed before each expiry.
You should also consider entering a standing search (see our guide on standing searches in probate) alongside the caveat — a standing search notifies you if a grant is issued, which is useful if you are not certain whether a grant has been applied for.
Once a caveat is entered, the executor (if they wish to proceed with the grant) can issue a Warning Notice. The process is:
Filing an Appearance commits you to contentious court proceedings. You should only file an Appearance if you have legal grounds for challenging the will and are prepared to litigate. Legal advice before filing is strongly recommended.
You should consider entering a caveat if:
You should NOT enter a caveat without legal justification — doing so to harass or delay an executor without a genuine claim can lead to a costs order against you.
For the overall contentious probate process, see our introduction to contentious probate and the grounds for contesting a will. For capacity challenges, see our guide on lack of testamentary capacity. For undue influence claims, see our undue influence guide. For time limits, see our guide on time limits for contesting a will. For Inheritance Act claims, see our Inheritance Act 1975 guide. For the non-contentious probate process, see our guide to applying for probate and our complete UK probate guide. For estate administration once probate is granted, see our estate administration checklist.
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An introduction to contentious probate: what it covers, the two main types of dispute (will validity challenges and Inheritance Act claims), the courts involved, costs, and the first steps to take.
How to enter a standing search at the Probate Registry to monitor when a grant of probate is issued. This guide covers the difference from a caveat, cost (£3), duration (6 months), and why it matters for Inheritance Act time limits.
The five legal grounds for contesting a will in England and Wales: lack of testamentary capacity, lack of valid execution, undue influence, fraud and forgery, and lack of knowledge and approval. What each means and what you need to prove.
How to challenge a will on the grounds of lack of testamentary capacity. This guide covers the Banks v Goodfellow (1870) four-part test, what evidence is needed, the golden rule for solicitors, and the practical steps to bring a claim.
How to prove undue influence in a will challenge. This guide explains the strict legal test (coercion, not persuasion), the absence of any presumption in will cases, what circumstantial evidence courts consider, and why these claims are so difficult to win.
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