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.
Tesco Bank operates one of the highest probate thresholds among UK retail banks at £50,000. This means that for the majority of Tesco savings and current account balances, the estate can be dealt with without applying for a grant of probate. For balances above £50,000, a full grant of probate is required before Tesco will release any funds.
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Tesco Bank applies a probate threshold of £50,000. This means that where the total balance across all Tesco Bank accounts held by the deceased is below £50,000, the bank will release funds without requiring a grant of probate. Instead, Tesco Bank accepts a certified death certificate and a statutory declaration from the executor or administrator.
This threshold is notably higher than many comparable banks and building societies. For estates above £50,000, probate is required before any funds can be accessed. For context on how this compares across UK institutions, see our guide to the 2026–27 UK probate threshold.
If you are unsure whether probate is needed for the estate at all, see our guide on when you don't need probate.
For estates below £50,000:
For estates above £50,000:
Our guide to documents needed for probate and the estate administration checklist can help you manage the paperwork across multiple institutions.
Tesco Bank has a dedicated bereavement team that can be reached through the following channels:
Tesco Bank will freeze the account upon notification and send out a bereavement support pack. For guidance on notifying multiple financial institutions efficiently, see our guide on notifying banks after a death.
Tesco Bank participates in the Death Notification Service (DNS). This means you can notify Tesco Bank through the free DNS portal at the same time as other participating banks and building societies. This is particularly useful if the deceased held accounts at multiple institutions.
A DNS submission freezes the account and initiates Tesco Bank's bereavement process — but you will still need to submit the required documents separately to progress the estate claim.
Tesco Bank participates in the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS), which allows the bank to pay inheritance tax directly to HMRC from the deceased's accounts before the grant of probate is issued. This is useful for estates above the IHT threshold where the executor needs to pay tax before they can apply for probate.
To use the DPS, you will need to submit Form IHT423 to Tesco Bank and HMRC. Our guide on probate delays and IHT interest explains why timing matters. See our 2026–27 inheritance tax guide for the current rates and allowances.
For estates below the £50,000 threshold, Tesco Bank typically processes claims within two to four weeks of receiving the required documentation. For estates that require probate, processing begins once the sealed grant is submitted — meaning the full timeline depends on how quickly probate is obtained, typically three to six months.
Our complete UK probate guide for 2026 provides detailed timeline information and explains what to expect at each stage.
Tesco Bank's £50,000 threshold means a significant proportion of estates can avoid probate entirely for Tesco accounts. The bank accepts a statutory declaration — a formal sworn statement — as an alternative to the full grant of probate for balances below the threshold. This is typically quicker and less expensive than obtaining probate.
Even where Tesco Bank does not require probate, other institutions in the estate may. Check each institution's threshold separately. Our guide on when you don't need probate sets out the full range of situations. If probate is needed for other reasons, our DIY probate vs solicitor cost comparison can help you decide on the most practical approach.
Probate needed if estate has property or over £50K. Joint accounts exempt. Check bank thresholds: HSBC £50K, smaller banks £15K.
Step-by-step probate application process, forms needed, costs, and typical timeframes for grant of probate.
Free services that help notify companies about a death, saving you time and reducing stress.
Step-by-step guide to notifying banks after a death in the UK. What documents you need, how to access funds before probate, joint accounts, funeral payment releases, and full timeline.
Triodos Bank's probate threshold is approximately £25,000 (as of 2026). Learn what documents Triodos requires, how to contact their bereavement team, and how long fund release takes.
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