Probate and Bereavement

• What is probate?

  Probate is the legal right to deal with someone’s money, property and possessions after they die. In England and Wales it is given by a court document called a grant, which banks and other organisations may ask to see before releasing assets.

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• How do I know whether probate is needed?

  Probate is often needed if the person who died owned property in their sole name or as tenants in common, or held significant money with banks or investment firms. It may not be needed if they only had modest savings, or everything was jointly owned and passes automatically.

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• What happens when someone dies without a Will? (the estate side)

  When someone dies without a Will, a close relative can usually apply for a grant called letters of administration, which lets them deal with the estate. The estate is then shared under the intestacy rules rather than the person’s wishes.

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• Applying for a grant vs full estate administration

  With a grant-only service, a professional helps you obtain the grant of probate and you deal with the rest of the estate yourself. With full estate administration, the professional handles most or all of the process, from valuing the estate to paying beneficiaries.

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• What documents might I need?

  To apply for probate in England and Wales you will usually need the original Will (if there is one), details of the death, and values of the estate’s assets and debts for Inheritance Tax. Gathering bank, property, pension and debt paperwork early can make the process smoother.

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• What costs may be involved?

  At the time of writing (October 2026), the probate application fee in England and Wales is £526 if the estate is worth more than £5,000, with no fee for smaller estates. Other costs may include professional fees, valuations, property costs and any Inheritance Tax, usually paid from the estate.

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