When someone passes away, there are certain steps you need to take legally to be able to deal with their estate. Receiving probate is one of them. But when you’re grieving this process can sound complicated, so we’re going to break down what probate is, how it works and what support is available.
What is probate?
Probate, or a grant of probate, is what allows you to deal with someone’s financial affairs and the rest of their estate after they have died. It’s an important legal step and you’ll usually need it to be able to access the deceased person’s bank accounts and to speak to any of their other financial providers.
Who can apply for probate?
The executor (or executors) who are named in the will need to apply for probate via the government website.
If more than one person is dealing with an estate, such as where a will names multiple executors, one person should make the application as the lead. The other executors will then need to sign a legal declaration before probate is granted.
Can I apply for probate without a will?
You can, but it will usually take a little longer. As there are no executors if someone didn’t make a will before they died, you need to be considered the “most entitled person” to apply to become the administrator for the estate.
Normally this will be the closest living relative of the person who has passed away. However, if you are the most entitled person but would rather not administer the estate, you can appoint someone else to do this for you.
Do I need a solicitor to apply for probate?
You don’t need a probate solicitor to apply for probate, however, you may find it helpful to have legal advice as you work through this process. As part of the probate process, you will need to value the assets that make up the deceased’s estate. This can be hard enough at the best of times, let alone when you are grieving for someone you care about.
This is especially the case when there was no will left behind. The probate process can take time and be challenging if you aren’t sure how to navigate it.
How long does probate take?
How long it takes to grant probate depends on the complexity of the estate, as well as the wait time within the government body that deals with probate applications. As of February 2025, wait times for probate have fallen to an average of just over four weeks.
This is as long as you submit your application digitally. Paper applications take longer to process, with probate grants in this instance taking just under 15 weeks.
Do you have to pay for probate?
Yes, there is a fee to apply for probate, the amount of which is determined based on the value of the estate. In 2025, the probate application fee is £300 for any estate over the value of £5,000. If the estate you’re dealing with is worth less than this, you won’t need to pay to apply for probate.