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.
Zopa Bank is a digital bank that originated as a peer-to-peer lending platform and now offers savings accounts and credit cards. It applies a probate threshold of approximately £10,000. Below this amount, Zopa Bank may release savings funds using a small-estate indemnity process. Above £10,000, a full grant of probate is required.
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Zopa Bank applies a probate threshold of approximately £10,000 across all savings accounts held with them by the deceased. Where the total balance is below this figure, Zopa can deal with the estate using a small-estate indemnity — releasing funds without requiring the executor to obtain a full grant of probate.
For estates above £10,000, Zopa will require a sealed grant of probate or letters of administration before releasing any funds. As a digital-first bank, all communications with Zopa are handled primarily through digital channels and telephone. For a broader comparison of UK probate thresholds, see our guide to the 2026–27 UK probate threshold.
If you are unsure whether probate is needed for the estate at all, our guide on when you don't need probate explains the exceptions clearly.
For estates below £10,000:
For estates above £10,000:
Our guide to documents needed for probate and the estate administration checklist will help you manage the paperwork across multiple institutions.
Zopa Bank can be contacted through the following channels:
Zopa Bank will freeze accounts upon receiving notification of the death. You do not need to access the deceased's account to begin the process. For guidance on notifying multiple institutions, see our guide on notifying banks after a death.
As of 2026, Zopa Bank does not participate in the Death Notification Service (DNS). You will need to contact Zopa directly and separately from any DNS submissions you make for other financial institutions. Zopa Bank is also not covered by the government's Tell Us Once service.
Zopa Bank does not currently participate in the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS). If the estate has an inheritance tax liability, the executor will need to fund the IHT payment from other sources before applying for probate. Our guide on probate delays and IHT interest covers the risks of late payment, and our 2026–27 inheritance tax guide sets out the current rates and allowances.
For estates below the £10,000 threshold, Zopa Bank typically processes claims within two to four weeks of receiving the required documentation. For estates above £10,000 — which require probate — processing begins once the sealed grant is received. The full timeline therefore depends on how quickly probate is obtained, typically three to six months.
Our complete UK probate guide for 2026 sets out the full estate administration timeline in detail.
Where the total Zopa Bank balance is below approximately £10,000, the bank can release funds using a small-estate indemnity. Given that Zopa primarily offers savings accounts, estate claims are typically straightforward. However, the £10,000 threshold is lower than many comparable savings banks, meaning a higher proportion of accounts will require probate compared to institutions with thresholds of £20,000 or above.
Before deciding whether to apply for probate, check whether other assets in the estate also require it. Our guide on when you don't need probate sets out the full range of scenarios. If probate is needed, our DIY probate vs solicitor cost comparison helps you decide on the best 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.
Situations where probate isn't required, including small estates, joint assets, and nominated beneficiaries.
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.
Atom Bank's probate threshold is £5,000 (as of 2026) — one of the lowest among UK digital banks. Learn what documents Atom Bank requires, how to contact their bereavement team, and how long fund release takes.
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