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Probate & Estate Administration Articles
What happens after a death: applying for a grant of probate, executor and administrator duties, the intestacy rules when there is no will, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what is left.
All 85 probate & estate administration articles
- Probate Property Valuation UKHow to value property for probate in England and Wales: the date-of-death open market value, RICS surveyors, HMRC District Valuer challenges and penalties.12 June 2026 · 8 min read
- Administration of Estates Act 1925 UKThe Administration of Estates Act 1925 (AEA 1925) is the principal statute governing the administration of deceased persons' estates in England and Wales.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Removing an Executor UK: Grounds and Court ProcessRemoving an executor in England and Wales: renunciation and citation before probate, passing over under NCPR r.27, court removal after grant, and the grounds.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Grant of Administration De Bonis Non UKA grant of administration de bonis non (of goods not yet administered) is needed when the administrator or sole executor dies during the administration of an.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Applying for a Grant of Probate Online UKSince November 2019, personal applicants and solicitors can apply for a grant of probate (or letters of administration) online through the HMCTS MyHMCTS.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Pensions and Intestacy UKPension death benefits fall outside your will and the intestacy rules. Learn why your expression of wishes matters and how the April 2027 IHT change applies.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Power Reserved Executor UK: Standing Back From ProbateWhen multiple executors are named in a will and one does not wish to act immediately but does not want to renounce permanently, they can 'take power reserved'.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Professional Executor UKAppointing a professional executor, a solicitor, accountant, trust corporation, or bank, can make sense for complex estates, but it comes with costs, risks.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Standing Search at Probate Registry UKA standing search at the Probate Registry automatically notifies you if a grant of probate or letters of administration is issued for a named deceased person.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Substitute Executors UK: Your Probate Back-Up PlanYour probate back-up plan when an executor cannot act: substitute executors, power reserved, renunciation, the chain of executors under AEA 1925 s.7, and s.50.9 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Coroner Inquest & Probate UKWhen a coroner is involved, a full death certificate cannot be issued until the inquest concludes, which can take weeks to 18 months or more.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- Do You Need Probate UK? When a Grant of Probate IsNot every estate in England and Wales requires a Grant of Probate. Small estates, jointly held assets, and nominated pension benefits can all pass without it.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- Executor Expenses UK: What You Can Claim BackAn executor in England and Wales can reclaim reasonable out-of-pocket expenses but cannot charge for time without a will charging clause; keep your receipts.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- How to Value a House for Probate UKFor probate, a property must be valued at market value at the date of death. A RICS Red Book valuation or a written estate agent's opinion is acceptable.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
- How to Value Shares for Probate UKHow to value shares for probate at the date of death: quoted shares (the quarter-up rule), unquoted holdings, ISAs and AIM shares. Where to find prices. 2026.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- Paying Funeral Costs Before Probate UKWhen someone dies, their bank accounts are frozen before probate. Most banks will release funds directly to a funeral director via the Direct Payment Scheme.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- Probate Bank Thresholds UK: Limits Bank by BankUK banks set their own thresholds for releasing a deceased person's funds without a grant of probate, typically £5,000 to £50,000, set per institution.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
- Probate Costs UK: Fees You Should Expect to PayWhat probate really costs in England and Wales: the £526 HMCTS application fee, solicitor charges, and the cheaper DIY route. When no fee is payable. 2026.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- Probate and the Land Registry UK: Updating TitleHow to update the Land Registry and transfer property title after a death in England and Wales: death of a joint tenant (djp), assent to a beneficiary (AS1).8 June 2026 · 8 min read
- Probate Registry Delays UKProbate applications can take weeks or months to clear. Learn why query letters stall cases, how to track yours and when you can ask the Registry to hurry.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- Probate Time Limit UKThere is no legal deadline to apply for probate, but the inheritance tax and Inheritance Act clocks still run. Learn the real time limits and executor risk.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- What Happens If an Executor Dies UK? Before & DuringWhat happens when an executor dies before the testator, before probate, or mid-administration: chain of representation, substitutes and de bonis non grants.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
- Co-Executor UKThinking of naming more than one executor? Learn how joint authority, power reserved and renunciation work, and how many executors you should appoint.7 June 2026 · 9 min read
- Grant of Administration with Will Annexed UKWhen a person dies leaving a valid will but no executor can act, a grant of administration with will annexed (administration cta) is issued instead of probate.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Valuing an Estate for Probate UKBefore applying for probate, executors must value the deceased's estate for HMRC. A step-by-step guide to valuing assets, debts and jointly owned property.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Assent in Probate UK: The AS1 Form ExplainedAn assent is the document that vests a deceased person's property in the beneficiary under s36 Administration of Estates Act 1925; for land it is in writing.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Assets That Don't Need Probate UKWhich assets pass outside probate in England and Wales: property held as joint tenants, pension death benefits, life insurance in trust and nominated accounts.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Bona Vacantia UK: When Estates Pass to the CrownBona vacantia is when someone dies with no will and no qualifying relatives, so their estate passes to the Crown. How it works and how a will prevents it.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Caveat in Probate UK: How to Stop a Grant IssuingA probate caveat (form PA8) temporarily blocks a Grant of Probate while you investigate or challenge a will: who can enter one, the cost and how long it lasts.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Chain of Representation UK: When an Executor DiesThe chain of representation (s7 Administration of Estates Act 1925) allows the executor of a deceased executor to step into their role and complete the.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Choosing an Executor for Your Will UKWho should be executor of your will? The right choice keeps estate administration smooth; the wrong one causes feuds, delays and legal bills. How to choose.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Estate Administration UK: Step-by-Step for ExecutorsEstate administration for executors: registering the death, validating the will, valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing to beneficiaries.13 May 2026 · 10 min read
- Executor Liability UK: The Risks and How to Avoid ThemAn executor's personal liability is unlimited. Common mistakes, from paying beneficiaries before debts to missing creditors, and how to protect yourself. 2026.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Executor Renouncing Probate UKAn executor named in a will does not have to act. How to renounce probate using form PA15, what power reserved means, and when renunciation is permanent.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- The Executor's Year UK: How Long Beneficiaries WaitThe executor's year is the 12-month period after death for winding up an estate; what it means in law and the rights beneficiaries gain once it has passed.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Grant of Probate UK: What It Is and How to Get OneA grant of probate is the court document that lets executors deal with an estate: what it is, when it is needed, how to apply online, and processing times.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- How to Apply for Probate UK: Forms, Fees and TimingHow to apply for a grant of probate in England and Wales: the forms you file, the documents you need, the court fee, and how long the online process takes.13 May 2026 · 10 min read
- Intestacy Cohabiting Partner UKUnder the intestacy rules in England and Wales a cohabiting partner inherits nothing, however long you lived together; common-law marriage is a legal myth.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Intestacy Rules UK: Who Inherits Without a WillDie without a will in England and Wales and the intestacy rules decide who inherits: the statutory legacy, spouse and children, and why partners get nothing.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Letters of Administration UK: Who Applies and HowLetters of administration are the court's authority to deal with an estate when someone dies without a will. Who can apply, how, and how long it takes.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Probate Fees UK | How Much Does Probate Cost?Probate fees in England and Wales: the £526 HMCTS application fee, £2 per extra grant copy, and solicitor costs of 1 to 4% of the estate value, plus VAT.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Selling a House in Probate UK: Timing and TaxSelling a house during probate in England and Wales usually needs a Grant of Probate before completion. The timeline, the tax, and how to market early.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Probate Registry UK: Apply, Fees and Waiting TimesThe Probate Registry issues Grants of Probate in England and Wales. Apply online, fees from £526 and current waiting times of 8 to 16 weeks explained.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Removing an Executor UK: s50 Court OrderIn England and Wales, an executor can be removed or replaced by the court under s50 Administration of Justice Act 1985 where they are failing in their duties.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- What Does an Executor Do First UKAn executor's first actions after a death are time-sensitive, registering the death, securing assets, notifying institutions, and arranging the funeral.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- What Is Probate UK? A Simple ExplainerProbate is the legal authority to deal with a deceased person's estate. What it means, when you need it, how long it takes and what it costs explained.12 May 2026 · 6 min read
- How Long Does Probate Take in the UK? (2026 Guide)Wondering how long does probate take UK? From simple estates to complex ones, here's a realistic guide to probate timelines in England and Wales in 2026.26 April 2026 · 5 min read
- Can an Executor Be a Beneficiary UK?Yes, an executor can also be a beneficiary in England and Wales, and most people do; but if they witness your will they forfeit the gift under section 15.22 April 2026 · 5 min read
- Probate UK: A Step-by-Step Guide for ExecutorsEverything an executor needs to know about probate in England & Wales: when it is required, how to apply for a Grant of Probate, timescales and costs.22 April 2026 · 7 min read
- Abatement of Legacies UK: When Gifts in a Will Are CutAbatement is what happens when an estate cannot pay all the legacies in full. Learn the statutory order in which gifts are reduced and how to avoid it.
- Ademption of a Gift in a Will UKIf you leave a specific asset in your will, then sell or give it away before you die, the gift fails by ademption; the beneficiary gets nothing in its place.
- Administer Estate Without Probate UKFind out when a grant is not needed in England and Wales, how the small estate and jointly held asset rules work, plus the real risks of skipping probate. · 9 min read
- Administration of Estate Creditors UKUnderstand the strict order for paying estate debts before beneficiaries, what happens when an estate is insolvent, and how PRs limit their liability. · 9 min read
- Administration Pendente Lite UKAdministration pendente lite is a limited grant of administration made by the Probate Registry or High Court while contested probate proceedings are pending. · 8 min read
- How to Apply for Probate in England & WalesA complete walkthrough of the probate application process in England and Wales in 2026, PA1P vs PA1A forms, HMCTS Online Probate Service, documents required.
- Assent of Property UK: How Personal Representatives Transfer Estate AssetsAn assent is the document a personal representative uses to vest an estate asset in a beneficiary. Here is how it works under s.36 AEA 1925.
- Contentious Probate Costs UK: Who Pays for a DisputeWho pays the costs when a will is contested in England and Wales. How costs are decided in contentious probate, and why they can run into six figures. · 9 min read
- Estate Accounts UK: What Executors Must PrepareWhat estate accounts must contain, the capital and income sections, who is entitled to see them, how long executors have to produce them, and how disputes end. · 9 min read
- Executor de Son Tort UK: Acting Without AuthorityAn executor de son tort deals with an estate without authority. How intermeddling happens under s.28 Administration of Estates Act and the liability it creates. · 8 min read
- Executor Personal Liability UK: Devastavit ExplainedUK executors can be held personally liable for wrongful distribution, HMRC debts, and devastavit. Learn how to protect yourself when administering an estate.
- Executor Power of Sale UK: Selling Estate PropertyCan an executor sell estate property when a beneficiary objects? How the power of sale works, when the will or debts decide, and what beneficiaries can do. · 8 min read
- Executor Powers UK: What You Can and Cannot DoWhat powers an executor has in England and Wales: selling property, paying debts, distributing legacies, and what needs beneficiary consent or a court order. · 7 min read
- Executor Remuneration UK: Can Executors Be Paid?Can an executor charge for their time? When a lay executor can be paid, how a professional charging clause works, and what the Trustee Act 2000 allows. · 8 min read
- PA15 Executor Renunciation Form UK: How to Complete ItHow to complete the PA15 executor renunciation form, when an executor can renounce probate, what intermeddling prevents renunciation, and if it is retractable. · 7 min read
- Executor vs Administrator UK: The Key DifferencesExecutors and administrators are both personal representatives but gain authority differently. How vesting, acting before the grant and liability compare. · 9 min read
- Grant of Representation UK: Which Type You NeedA grant of representation is the legal authority to administer a deceased person's estate: probate, letters of administration, and which one you need. · 9 min read
- Half-Blood Relatives and Intestacy UKUnder intestacy in England and Wales, half-blood relatives inherit only if no full-blood relative of the same class survives. How half-siblings inherit. · 8 min read
- Income Tax During Estate Administration UK: Executor's GuideFile the deceased's final return, report estate income, issue R185 certificates, HMRC's income tax rules for executors in England and Wales explained.
- Adopted Children and Intestacy UKAdopted children inherit as full legal children of their adoptive parents under UK intestacy rules, and lose their link to the birth family. How it works.
- Intestacy and Divorce UK: Does a Former Spouse Still Inherit?Divorce ends a former spouse's intestacy entitlement, but only from decree absolute, not separation. Here is what the law says.
- Intestacy and Cohabiting Same-Sex Partners UKA cohabiting same-sex partner has no automatic inheritance under England and Wales intestacy rules; only marriage, a civil partnership or a will protects them. · 9 min read
- Intestacy Reform 2025 UK: What Changed for FamiliesEngland and Wales remains one of few places where a cohabiting partner inherits nothing on intestacy; the Law Commission urged reform but the law is unchanged. · 9 min read
- What Happens If You Die With No Family and No Will?If you die intestate in England and Wales with no surviving relatives, your estate passes to the Crown as bona vacantia, a term meaning ownerless goods.
- Intestacy Rules Scotland vs EnglandHow Scottish intestacy under the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 differs from the English rules: prior rights, legal rights and cohabiting-partner claims. · 7 min read
- Intestate Administration Order UKWhat happens when an intestate estate has no eligible administrator: s.116 SCA 1981 orders, bona vacantia, the Treasury Solicitor and creditors. 2026. · 9 min read
- Letters of Administration with Will Annexed UKWhen a valid will exists but no executor can act, the court grants letters of administration with will annexed: who applies and the order of priority.
- Lost Will UK: Probate Options When a Will Is MissingWhat happens when a will is lost after death in England and Wales: probate with a copy will, the evidence the Probate Registry needs, and presumed destruction. · 7 min read
- Foreign Probate Recognition UKWhen a person dies overseas with assets in England and Wales, their foreign grant of probate may need to be resealed in England or a fresh English grant. · 9 min read
- Apply for Probate Online UK: HMCTS Step by StepStep-by-step guide to the HMCTS online probate service: applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration, tracking, and rejection reasons.
- Partial Intestacy UK: When a Will Misses AssetsPartial intestacy arises when a valid will fails to dispose of part of the estate; the surplus passes under the Administration of Estates Act 1925 rules.
- Personal Representative vs Executor UK: Key Differences ExplainedExecutor or administrator, both are personal representatives, but how they are appointed and what they do differs. Here is the full explanation.
- Probate Fees and Costs UK: What You Will Pay | WillSafeUnderstand the full cost of probate in England and Wales: the £526 HMCTS application fee, sealed copies, solicitor fees and estate agent fees explained.
- How to Search the Probate Register in England & WalesA plain-English guide to searching the probate register for England and Wales: see whether a grant has issued, order copies of the will, fees and timescales.
- Probate Timeline UK: How Long Does Each Stage Take?How long probate takes in England and Wales in 2026, stage-by-stage timeline from death registration to final distribution, current HMCTS processing times. · 8 min read
- Statutory Legacy on Intestacy UK 2024When someone dies without a will in England and Wales, the surviving spouse receives a statutory legacy of £322,000. How the rest of the estate is divided.
Self-help information only. Articles on this blog are for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. WillSafe UK is not a firm of solicitors. For complex estates, blended families, business assets or foreign property, please speak to a qualified solicitor.