A Grant of Probate is given to someone responsible for dividing up a person’s Estate and taking care of their affairs after they pass away. This person is called the ‘executor .’ They will usually have been appointed in a Will before someone dies.
A Grant of Probate gives the executor the legal authority to act. This is almost always required to carry out tasks such as accessing a deceased person’s bank accounts or passing on their belongings or property to their heirs according to any Wills they may have in place.
A Grant of Probate might not be needed if the person’s Estate is worth less than £10,000 or they owned everything jointly with someone else, but it is always a good idea to speak to a professional to confirm this.
Before applying for a Grant of Probate, you will need to make sure that the death has been registered through the proper channels and that you have an idea of the total value of the deceased person’s Estate. Sometimes this is straightforward, but it can become complicated if the Estate is large or there are a lot of different bank accounts or investments to consider.
To apply for a Grant of Probate, you will need to complete certain forms and send these to the relevant authorities. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, this is HM Courts & Tribunals Service, and in Scotland, this is the Sheriff’s Office.
There is usually a cost to apply for a Grant of Probate, and it is important that you also think about whether you need to file for inheritance tax.
Capital Life’s team of expert Probate solicitors can take the stress and confusion out of the Probate process. Contact them today to find out how they can help.