Step 4: After the grant arrives
Once the grant is issued, it is the authority to collect in the estate. The executor or administrator sends copies to the banks, pension providers and other organisations holding assets, closes accounts, sells or transfers property, settles any remaining debts, and pays what is left to the beneficiaries. Ordering several sealed copies of the grant can speed this up, as more than one organisation may want to see it at the same time.
How long all of this takes varies widely with the estate. Straightforward estates can be dealt with in a few months, while those with property to sell or tax to settle often take longer. Our related guide looks at how long probate takes in more detail.
Applying in Scotland and Northern Ireland
This guide describes the process in England and Wales. Scotland uses a different process called confirmation, granted by the sheriff court, with its own forms and its own succession rules that can give a spouse and children fixed legal rights. Northern Ireland has a separate system that is broadly similar to England and Wales, with its own probate office and forms. If an estate touches more than one UK nation, it can be worth taking advice in each.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for probate?
In England and Wales you first check whether a grant is needed, value the estate, and report it to HMRC. You then apply online or by post, using form PA1P where there is a will or PA1A where there is not, and pay the fee where the estate is above £5,000 (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). The person applying takes on responsibility for the estate.
Who can apply for probate?
Where there is a valid will, the executors named in it apply for the grant of probate. Where there is no will, the closest living relative usually applies for letters of administration instead (gov.uk, as at July 2026). Applications can be made online or by post. Because the applicant takes on legal responsibility, some people take advice before starting.
How much does it cost to apply for probate?
The application fee is £300 where the estate is valued at more than £5,000, and there is no fee where the estate is £5,000 or less, according to gov.uk as at July 2026 and subject to change (gov.uk/applying-for-probate/fees). Extra copies of the grant cost £16 each. Any professional fees for handling the administration are separate and vary.
Do I value the estate before or after applying?
Before. The estate is valued and reported to HMRC first, because the value decides how you report and whether inheritance tax is due, and you generally cannot complete the probate application until that reporting is done (gov.uk, as at July 2026). Where tax is due, it often has to be paid, or arranged, before the grant is issued.
Which form do I use to apply for probate?
Where you apply by post, you use form PA1P if there is a will and form PA1A if there is not (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). Many people apply online instead. The online service guides you through similar questions and confirms the fee before you submit.
Can I apply for probate myself without a solicitor?
Many people apply themselves for straightforward estates, online or by post. More complex estates, for example those with trusts, inheritance tax, business assets or disputes, often involve a solicitor or another qualified professional. Because the person applying takes on personal responsibility, one option some consider is taking advice before deciding whether to handle it alone.
How long does it take to get a grant of probate?
There is no fixed timescale, and it depends on the estate and on how busy the Probate Registry is. Reporting and paying any inheritance tax before applying can add time at the start. Straightforward estates are often dealt with in a few months, while those with property or tax involved generally take longer. Our guide on how long probate takes covers this further.
About Fairchild Oldfield
The Fairchild Oldfield team brings together estate planning, tax, independent financial advice and client care, working with families across England and Wales.
Fairchild Oldfield are estate planning specialists and will writers, not a firm of solicitors. This article is general information based on practical experience, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Important: This article is general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Reading it does not create a professional relationship. It is based on the law of England and Wales, and other UK jurisdictions may differ. Figures and rules are current as at July 2026 and are subject to change. Before acting, many people choose to seek advice from a suitably qualified professional, such as a solicitor, a STEP practitioner, an accountant, or an FCA-authorised financial adviser, who can consider your individual circumstances.
