Topic hub
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 76 probate & estate administration articles
- 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 ProcessAn executor can be removed or replaced in several ways, depending on whether probate has been granted. Before grant: renunciation or citation.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
- 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
- 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 PlanWhen an executor cannot act, because they have died, renounced, or lost capacity, the estate needs an alternative route to administration. 50.9 June 2026 · 4 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 is entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred while administering the estate.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 UKUK shares must be valued at the date of death for IHT and probate purposes.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's funds without a grant of probate, typically £5,000–£50,000 depending on the bank.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
- Probate Costs UK: Fees You Should Expect to PayThe probate application fee is £273 for estates over £5,000 (free under £5,000).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
- What Happens If an Executor Dies UK? Before & DuringWhat happens if an executor named in a will dies in England and Wales, before the testator, after the testator but before probate.8 June 2026 · 7 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.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Assent in Probate UK: The AS1 Form ExplainedAn assent is the document that transfers property from a deceased person's estate to the beneficiary. For land, an assent must be in writing.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Assets That Don't Need Probate UKWhich assets pass outside probate in England and Wales: jointly owned property, life insurance in trust, pension death benefits, small accounts.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Bona Vacantia UK: When Estates Pass to the CrownIf someone dies without a will and has no qualifying relatives under the intestacy rules.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Caveat in Probate UK: How to Stop a Grant IssuingA probate caveat (form PA8) temporarily prevents a Grant of Probate being issued while you investigate or challenge a will.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 makes estate administration smooth. The wrong one causes family feuds, delays and legal bills.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Estate Administration UK: Step-by-Step for ExecutorsEstate administration is the complete process of collecting a deceased person's 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 who makes a mistake can be personally liable for losses from the estate.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Executor Renouncing Probate UKAn executor can renounce probate, formally decline to act, using HMCTS form PA15.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- The Executor's Year UK: How Long Beneficiaries WaitThe executor's year is the 12-month period after which beneficiaries can compel distribution.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Grant of Probate UK: What It Is and How to Get OneA grant of probate is the legal document that authorises executors to deal with a deceased person's estate.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- How to Apply for Probate UK: Forms, Fees and TimingApplying for a Grant of Probate in England and Wales costs £300 and takes as little as 2 weeks online.13 May 2026 · 10 min read
- Intestacy Cohabiting Partner UKCohabiting partners have no automatic inheritance rights under UK intestacy rules.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Intestacy Rules UK: Who Inherits Without a WillDie without a will and the intestacy rules decide who inherits: the statutory legacy, spouse vs children, and why cohabiting partners get nothing.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Letters of Administration UK: Who Applies and HowLetters of Administration are the court-issued authority to deal with an estate when someone dies without a valid will.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Probate Fees UK | How Much Does Probate Cost?Probate fees in England and Wales in 2026: the £300 HMCTS application fee, professional executor/solicitor costs (1–4% of the estate).13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Selling a House in Probate UK: Timing and TaxSelling a house during probate in England and Wales requires a Grant of Probate before completion.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 £300 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
- Executor Duties Checklist UK: Every Task in OrderThe complete executor duties checklist for England and Wales. What to do in the first 24 hours, how to apply for probate, pay debts, and distribute the estate.12 May 2026 · 10 min read
- What Is Probate UK? A Simple ExplainerProbate is the legal right to deal with a deceased person's estate. Here is what probate means, when you need it, how long it takes.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 & Wales. We explain how it works, the witness rule that trips people up.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 occurs when a deceased person's estate is insufficient to pay all legacies in full.
- Ademption of a Gift in a Will UKIf you leave a specific asset in your will, a house, car, or jewellery, and then sell or give it away before you die, the gift fails by 'ademption'.
- Administration Pendente Lite UKAdministration pendente lite is a limited grant of administration made by the Probate Registry during contested probate proceedings. · 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 DisputeContesting a will in England and Wales involves significant legal costs. · 9 min read
- Estate Accounts UK: What Executors Must PrepareWhat estate accounts must contain, who is entitled to see them, how long executors have to produce them, and how disputes over accounts are resolved. · 9 min read
- Executor de Son Tort UK: Acting Without AuthorityAn executor de son tort is someone who deals with a deceased person's estate without authority. · 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 PropertyAn executor has a statutory power to sell estate assets to pay debts and administer the estate. · 8 min read
- Executor Powers UK: What You Can and Cannot DoWhat powers an executor has in England and Wales, selling property, investing estate assets, paying debts, distributing legacies, and what requires beneficiary consent or a court order. · 7 min read
- Executor Remuneration UK: Can Executors Be Paid?A lay executor cannot charge for their time without a will authority. Learn about professional charging clauses. · 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 means, and what happens next. · 7 min read
- Executor vs Administrator UK: The Key DifferencesAn executor's title to the deceased's estate vests at the moment of death. · 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 in England and Wales. · 9 min read
- Half-Blood Relatives and Intestacy UKUnder English intestacy rules, half-blood relatives inherit only if no full-blood relatives of the same class survive. · 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 have the same inheritance rights as biological children under UK intestacy law.
- 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 rights under the intestacy rules in England and Wales. · 9 min read
- Intestacy Reform 2025 UK: What Changed for FamiliesEngland and Wales remains one of the few jurisdictions where a cohabiting partner inherits nothing on intestacy, regardless of relationship length. · 9 min read
- What Happens If You Die With No Family and No Will inIf you die intestate with no surviving relatives in England and Wales, your estate passes to the Crown as bona vacantia.
- Intestacy Rules Scotland vs EnglandHow Scottish intestacy rules under the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 differ from English intestacy, prior rights, legal rights (duthchas), cohabiting partners, and why a will is essential in both jurisdictions. · 7 min read
- Intestate Administration Order UK116 sca 1981, bona vacantia, the Treasury Solicitor, creditor applications, and how the court appoints an administrator of last resort. · 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 (cum testamento annexo).
- Lost Will UK: Probate Options When a Will Is MissingWhat happens when a will is lost after death in England and Wales, how to apply for probate without the original will, what evidence the Probate Registry requires, and when the court presumes a will was destroyed. · 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 occurs when a will fails to dispose of part of the estate, through a lapsed gift, a missing residuary clause.
- 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 in 2026, HMCTS application fees, solicitor fees, estate agent fees.
- How to Search the Probate Register in England & WalesA plain-English guide to searching the UK probate register, find out if a grant of probate has been issued, access the deceased's will.
- 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.
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.