Applying for a Grant of Probate?

A Grant of Probate is the official legal document you need to administer an estate. The application process is complex and time-consuming. Our SRA-regulated solicitors handle it all for you, ensuring it's done correctly and without delay.

What is a Grant of Representation?

"Grant of Representation" is the official term for the legal document that gives you authority to administer an estate. The specific type of grant you need depends on whether the deceased left a valid Will.

You Need a Grant of Probate

This is the grant issued to the Executors named in the Will. It legally confirms that the Will is valid and gives the Executors the authority to carry out its instructions, such as closing bank accounts and selling property.

Our solicitors can handle the entire complex Grant of Probate application on behalf of the executors, or we can be appointed to handle the full estate administration.

Get Help with Probate

You Need Letters of Administration

This is the grant issued when there is no Will ('dying intestate'). It gives the legal next-of-kin (the 'Administrator') the authority to manage and distribute the estate according to the strict Rules of Intestacy.

The application is often more complex than a standard probate application. We specialise in these applications, ensuring the correct person is appointed without delay.

Apply for Letters of Administration

Real UK Case Study: The Danger of Application Errors

Re Hutchinson [2018]

The Situation: An executor submitted Inheritance Tax forms as part of a probate application, but significantly undervalued the assets of the estate, resulting in the wrong amount of tax being paid to HMRC.

The Outcome: The court held the executor personally liable for the financial loss caused by the mistake. He had to pay the outstanding tax and significant interest penalties from his own funds, not from the estate.

What this means for you: A Grant of Representation application is a formal legal and tax declaration. As an executor, you are personally liable for its accuracy. Our solicitors protect you from this risk by ensuring all valuations and tax calculations are correct.

Our 3-Step Grant of Representation Application Service

We remove the stress and legal complexity by handling the entire application on your behalf, ensuring it is done correctly and without unnecessary delays.

1. Valuing the Estate

We conduct a thorough consultation to gather all the information needed to accurately value the estate for legal and tax purposes.

2. Preparing the Application

Our solicitors complete the complex inheritance tax forms and the official probate application, ensuring all information is correct to avoid rejection.

3. Submission & Grant

We submit the application to the Probate Registry and manage the process until the Grant is issued, giving you the legal authority to act.

"His expertise guided me and lead me to a successful outcome"

"Zahid from Wildlings supported me navigate a situation that I had no experience in myself. His expertise guided me and lead me to a successful outcome. I'm sincerely grateful for his knowable support and continuous attentiveness throughout the entire process. I would absolutely recommend."

- Google Review | Legal Support

"I cannot say enough good things about Wildlings Solicitors. They were incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and efficient throughout the entire process. They made a stressful situation so much easier to navigate and I am extremely grateful for their expertise."

- Google Review | Legal Services

"The service that I received from Wildlings Solicitors was excellent from start to finish. All of my queries were answered in a timely fashion and I was kept up to date throughout the whole process. I would not hesitate to use their services again in the future."

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Your Questions About the Grant of Probate

Do I always need a Grant of Representation?

Not always. If the deceased's assets were all held in joint names, they will usually pass to the surviving owner automatically. Also, if the total value of the estate is very small (typically under £5,000 with no property), some banks may release the funds without a Grant. However, for most estates involving property or significant assets, a Grant is essential.

How long does the probate application process take?

The Probate Registry is currently experiencing significant delays. Once the application is submitted, it can take several months for the Grant to be issued. It is therefore vital that the application is prepared correctly by a solicitor first time, as any errors will cause it to be rejected, sending you to the back of the queue.

How much are solicitor fees for a Grant of Probate application?

We handle Grant of Representation applications on a fixed-fee basis, so you have complete cost certainty from the start. We will provide a clear, written quotation for your approval before any work begins. All our fees are a testamentary expense and are paid from the estate funds, meaning you pay nothing upfront.