Guides Preparing for death

Getting probate

What's a lasting power of attorney and why do you need one?

A lasting power of attorney is a great way to give yourself peace of mind for the future, just like making a will. Here, we'll look at the main benefits and how you can get yours from the comfort of home.

What happens to debt when someone dies?

When someone dies with outstanding debt, it needs to be repaid from the estate before beneficiaries can get their inheritance. If there isn't enough money in the estate to pay it off, the debt is simply written off.

How to find a will

You can usually find someone’s will with other important financial documents, such as bank statements and pension information. If you can’t find it in their house, you could search online to see if the will is recorded on the National Will Register.

The duties of an executor: executor of will checklist

An executor of a will is responsible for dealing with the estate of the person who died. This includes valuing the estate, selling property, closing accounts, paying off debts and distributing assets to the beneficiaries named in the will.

What is the inheritance tax threshold for 2020?

The inheritance tax threshold for 2020/21 is £325,000. Anything over the threshold is liable to 40% tax – but it doesn’t apply to every case.

Do I need probate if my husband or wife dies?

You may need probate if your husband or wife dies and leaves behind assets that aren’t jointly owned with you. However, if you’re the joint owner of their property and bank accounts, probate may not be required.

How to get a grant of representation

A grant of representation is a document that allows you to deal with someone's estate. To get one, you need to collect up information about their estate, fill out a form and submit an application to the probate registry.

Estate valuation: how to value a house and other assets for probate

To value a house for probate, it’s usually best to hire an RICS property surveyor – especially if the estate’s value is close to or above the inheritance tax threshold. For bank accounts and other assets, you can usually contact the organisations directly.

How to compare probate services and prices

Before choosing your probate provider, it’s worth shopping around to find the best service at the best possible price. Here, we’ll look at the main things you need to look out for when comparing probate services in England and Wales.

What are letters of administration?

Letters of administration (also known as a grant of letters of administration) is a document issued by the probate registry. This allows someone to act as the administrator of an estate after someone has died.

How long does probate take in the UK?

The process of probate usually takes 1-3 months depending on the complexity of the estate. It can then take up to 6 months to close accounts, sell property and pay taxes.

What information do you need before applying for probate?

Before applying for probate, you'll need to gather details about your loved one's estate. Here, we'll cover what you need, why, and how you can find it – and we’ve also got a free probate checklist to help you keep track of everything.

What is probate?

Probate (short for ‘a grant of probate’) is a legal document that shows banks, the Land Registry and other organisations that you have the authority to deal with someone’s estate. The process of getting probate usually takes 1-3 months.

GuidesPreparing for death