Applying for probate

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If there is not a will

If the person did not leave a will, the most 바카라 사이트榚ntitled바카라 사이트� person can apply to become the administrator of the estate.

This is the closest living relative - normally the husband, wife or civil partner (including if you were separated) followed by any children 18 or over (including legally adopted children but not step-children).

Use the inheritance checker to work out who the closest relative is if there바카라 사이트檚 no husband, wife, civil partner or children.

You cannot apply if you바카라 사이트檙e the partner of the person but were not their husband, wife or civil partner when they died.

Contact the Probate Call Centre if you need more help to work out who can administer the estate.

Probate Call Centre
Telephone: 0300 303 0648
Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm
Closed on bank holidays
Find out about call charges
Email: contactprobate@justice.gov.uk

The law decides who바카라 사이트檒l inherit assets (for example, money or property) if there바카라 사이트檚 no will. Use the inheritance checker to work out who바카라 사이트檒l inherit.

Before you apply for probate, you need to estimate the value of the estate of the person who died. You바카라 사이트檒l need this estimate when you apply.

If you do not want to apply

If you바카라 사이트檙e the most entitled person but you do not want to administer the estate, you can either appoint someone else to do it or permanently give up your right to administer the estate.

Appoint someone to administer the estate on your behalf

Fill in form PA12 to allow up to 4 people to have 바카라 사이트榩ower of attorney바카라 사이트�. This means they can apply for probate on your behalf and administer the estate for you. You can still apply for probate yourself later if you want to take back power of attorney.

You can also appoint someone using a registered lasting power of attorney (LPA) or signed enduring power of attorney (EPA).

Give up your right to administer the estate

If the person who died has children and you바카라 사이트檙e their husband, wife or civil partner, fill in form PA16. After that:

  • if all of the children are aged 18 or over, at least one of them will need to apply to become the administrator
  • if some or all of the children are aged under 18, other people will need to apply - to find out who will need to apply

In all other situations, speak to a probate practitioner (such as a solicitor) instead. .

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of What to do when someone dies: step by step

  1. Step 1

    1. Register the death

    Check what to do if:

  2. Step 2

    The Tell Us Once service allows you to inform all the relevant government departments when someone dies.

    1. Use the Tell Us Once service to tell government
    2. If you cannot use Tell Us Once, tell government yourself

    You'll also need to tell organisations outside government, like employers and private pension providers, banks, and utility companies.

  3. Step 3

    1. Arrange the funeral
    2. Get help paying for a funeral
    3. Get help paying for a child's funeral

  4. Step 4

    You might be eligible for financial help.

    Check if you can get:

  5. and

    Your tax, benefit claims and pension might change depending on your relationship with the person who died.

    1. Manage your tax, pensions and benefits if your partner has died
    2. Check how benefits are affected if a child dies

  6. and

    Get help with managing grief and the things you need to do when someone dies.

    1. Find bereavement help and support
    2. Find bereavement services from your local council

  7. and

    If your right to live in the UK depends on your relationship with someone who died you might need to apply for a new visa.

    Check the rules if:

    1. Contact UKVI to check the rules for other visas

  8. Step 5

    To find out if there바카라 사이트檚 Inheritance Tax to pay, you need to estimate the value of the property, money and possessions (the 바카라 사이트榚state바카라 사이트�) of the person who died.

    1. Estimate the value of the estate to find out if you need to pay Inheritance Tax
    1. Find out how to report the value of the estate
    1. Pay Inheritance Tax if it바카라 사이트檚 due

  9. Step 6

    You might need to apply for probate before you can deal with the property, money and possessions (the 바카라 사이트榚state바카라 사이트�) of the person who died.

    1. Check if you need to apply for probate
    1. Apply for probate

  10. Step 7

    Pay any debts or taxes owed by the person who's died. You can then distribute the estate as set out in the will or the law.

    1. Deal with the estate
    1. Update property records