Grant-Only Probate Services: What They Are and Whether You Need One

What exactly is included in a grant-only service?

Scope varies between providers, so always confirm in writing what is and is not included. A typical grant-only service will cover:

• Reviewing the will (or confirming the intestacy position if there is no will)
• Advising on which IHT form is required and which schedules apply
• Completing the IHT forms (IHT205/online excepted estates process or IHT400) based on information you provide
• Completing the PA1P (with will) or PA1A (no will) application form
• Submitting the application to the Probate Registry with the original will and required documents
• Paying the £273 probate fee on your behalf (usually reimbursed)
• Corresponding with the Probate Registry if there are queries or the application is returned
• Providing you with the sealed grant of probate (or letters of administration) once issued

Some providers include a brief consultation at the outset to review the estate overview and identify any complications. Others offer additional services (such as IHT advice or a property valuation review) for an additional fee.

What is not included

This is the critical section. After the grant is issued, the grant-only service ends. You are responsible for:

• Collecting all estate assets: Presenting the grant to banks, investment platforms, pension providers, and other institutions to close accounts and transfer funds.
• Dealing with property: If the estate includes a property that needs to be sold or transferred to a beneficiary, you will need to instruct a conveyancer (or do the Land Registry transfer yourself, which is possible for straightforward transfers).
• Paying all debts: Including funeral costs, utility bills, credit cards, and any balance of IHT due on the instalment plan (for property).
• Advertising for unknown creditors: Placing the section 27 Trustee Act notice in the London Gazette protects you against unknown creditors appearing after distribution. See our guide to advertising for creditors in the Gazette.
• Distributing to beneficiaries: Following the terms of the will (or intestacy rules), obtaining receipts, and producing estate accounts.
• Dealing with HMRC correspondence: If HMRC has queries about the IHT return after the grant is issued, this is typically outside the scope of a grant-only service unless otherwise agreed.

Our estate administration checklist and what to do after the grant of probate cover each of these steps in detail.

When a grant-only service makes sense

A grant-only service is a good fit when:

• You are confident with the administration but not the application: You understand what needs to be done once the grant arrives, but the PA1P form, the IHT position, or the interaction with the Probate Registry feels daunting. A professional handles the hardest part and you take over.
• You want professional validation before submission: Even experienced executors sometimes value a professional reviewing the IHT forms and application before they are submitted, to catch errors before they become returned applications or HMRC enquiries.
• The IHT position is complex but the administration is simple: If the estate is above the IHT threshold and the IHT400 requires multiple schedules, but the actual administration (once the grant is issued) is straightforward, a grant-only service handles the difficult technical part while keeping costs down.
• You are time-poor for the application stage: The PA1P and IHT forms require sustained time and attention. If you cannot dedicate the necessary hours at this stage but can handle the administration later, a grant-only service fits that constraint.
• Cost is a significant factor: At £400–£800, a grant-only service costs a fraction of a full probate service (£1,500–£3,000+) or percentage-based solicitor fees. See our guide to fixed fees vs percentage fees.

When a grant-only service is not enough

There are situations where a grant-only service is not adequate and you need a fuller professional service:

• Disputed will or potential claims: If anyone is threatening to challenge the will or make a claim on the estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, you need a solicitor with litigation experience, not just probate experience.
• Overseas assets: A UK grant of probate does not automatically cover assets in other jurisdictions. Overseas property typically requires a separate legal process in the relevant country. This is outside the scope of any grant-only service.
• Business interests requiring specialist valuation: Valuing a share in a private company or claiming Business Property Relief on a farming estate requires specialist expertise beyond a standard grant-only service.
• HMRC IHT enquiries: If HMRC opens a formal enquiry into the IHT return — which can happen months after the grant is issued — handling this requires professional involvement beyond the grant-only scope.
• Insolvent estate: If debts may exceed assets, the rules governing priority of creditors are complex and your personal liability as executor is significant. You need comprehensive professional guidance.

Comparison: grant-only vs full service vs DIY

How to find a grant-only service

Most solicitors and probate specialists offer some form of limited scope service, though not all will call it “grant-only.” Ask for:

• A “grant-only” or “limited scope” probate service
• A service where they apply for the grant and you handle the administration
• A fixed-fee service for the application and IHT forms only

Before instructing anyone, verify their authorisation on the SRA register, CILEX register, or ICAEW register. Our guide to probate specialists vs solicitors explains the regulatory landscape in detail.

Online probate services increasingly offer grant-only packages at transparent fixed prices. See our comparison of online probate services for an overview of what is available.

What you need to provide to a grant-only service

To enable a professional to complete the IHT forms and probate application, you will typically need to supply:

• The original will (or confirmation there is no will)
• The death certificate (certified copy or original)
• Valuations for all estate assets as at the date of death: property (surveyors' valuation), bank accounts (balance letters), investments (probate valuations), pension values, and personal possessions
• Details of all known debts and liabilities
• Information about any gifts made in the seven years before death (for IHT purposes) — see our guide to the 7-year gifting rule
• Proof of your identity as executor

Our guide to valuing property and assets for probate covers how to obtain these valuations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still do the administration myself if I use a grant-only service?

Yes — that is the whole point of a grant-only service. The professional obtains the grant; you use it to collect the estate assets, pay debts, and distribute to beneficiaries. The grant belongs to you as executor, not to the solicitor. See our guide on what to do after the grant of probate for a step-by-step guide to the administration stage.

Is a grant-only service suitable if there is no will?

Yes. If there is no will, the professional applies for letters of administration rather than a grant of probate. The process is similar — they complete the PA1A and handle the Probate Registry interaction. The estate is then administered by you according to the intestacy rules rather than a will. See our guide to letters of administration when there is no will.

Does a grant-only service include dealing with HMRC?

It depends on the scope agreed at the outset. Most grant-only services include completing and submitting the IHT forms as part of the grant application. However, if HMRC subsequently raises queries or opens an enquiry after the grant is issued, that is typically outside the scope of the grant-only agreement and would require additional fees or a separate instruction. Always clarify this in advance.

Do I need probate if the estate is small?

Not necessarily. Many assets pass outside of probate — jointly held property passes by survivorship, nominated pensions pass directly to nominees, and some financial institutions release small sums without seeing the grant. See our guide on whether you need probate and when you do not need probate to assess your specific situation.

How do I know if the professional is properly authorised?

Check the SRA register for solicitors and law firms, the CILEX register for Chartered Legal Executives, and the ICAEW register for accountants with probate licences. Any regulated provider should be able to give you their firm number or registration number so you can verify it yourself. “Probate specialist” is not a protected title — always verify the underlying authorisation. See our full guide to probate specialists vs solicitors.