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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.
You can do most of probate yourself. Registering the death, locating the will, applying for the grant, collecting the money and paying it out are all within reach for an ordinary, solvent estate. The parts that trip people up are valuing everything accurately and, where inheritance tax is due, completing the IHT400. Applications do get rejected — usually for small, avoidable mistakes — so care matters more than legal training.
"Can I really do this myself?" is one of the first things executors ask. For a straightforward estate the honest answer is: yes, mostly — but go in with your eyes open about the two hard stages and the rejection risk. Here's the stage-by-stage picture.
Do-it-yourself applications are stopped or returned by the registry more often than most people expect — a meaningful share of them, in practice. It's rarely anything dramatic; it's small, avoidable slips. The common causes are:
A returned application isn't a disaster, but it does add weeks and stress. The takeaway isn't "don't DIY" — it's "DIY carefully, and check everything twice." This is general guidance, not legal advice; if the estate has any of the complicating features below, treat that as your cue to get help.
Whichever way you go, a few steps protect you personally as executor:
Not sure if you need probate?
1 in 3 applications are sent back. In under 2 minutes, we'll tell you whether you need it and what to do next.
Broadly there are three ways to get the grant. Here's how they compare on the things that actually matter when you're grieving and busy:
| Feature | DIY yourself | Guided DIYRecommended | Solicitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | £300 fee + valuations | One fixed fee, well below a solicitor | Percentage of estate or fixed fee (often thousands) |
| Who does the work | You, unaided | You, with step-by-step guidance | The firm |
| Your time | Highest | Moderate | Lowest |
| Risk of an avoidable rejection | Higher | Lower | Lower |
| Best for | Confident with forms, simple estate | Simple estate that feels daunting | Tax due, disputes, or complex assets |
Costs indicative and last reviewed July 2026. The £300 application fee is due to rise to £526 on 13 July 2026, subject to parliamentary approval; there is no fee for estates of £5,000 or less.
Stop and get professional help if inheritance tax is payable, there are business, farm or overseas assets, there is no will and the family is complicated, a dispute looks likely, or the estate is insolvent. And if it all simply feels like too much right now, that's reason enough — there is no prize for struggling alone. Our honest guide to whether you need a solicitor walks through each case.
Not sure a grant is even needed? Use the do I need probate checker. Want to see what each route would cost? Try the probate cost calculator, or read up on the cheapest way to get a grant of probate. When you're ready to apply, our step-by-step guide to applying for probate covers the forms.
1 in 3 probate applications are sent back.
Answer 5 questions in under 2 minutes. We'll tell you whether you need probate, which route to take, and the mistake most people make at this stage.
Where they normally lived, even if they died somewhere else.
Free to check · 2 minutes · No account needed · £295 for your full Farra plan