Probate Services
Applying for Probate
Applying for probate is often the first formal legal step following a death. It gives the executor the authority to deal with the estate.
We ensure the application is prepared correctly, reducing delays and avoiding the common mistakes that can hold up the process.
What We Assist With
This service is suitable where executors wish to administer the estate themselves but want professional support to ensure the probate application is completed correctly and without delay.
- Grants of Probate (where there is a will)
- Letters of Administration (where there is no will)
- Straightforward and more complex estates
- Estates requiring inheritance tax reporting
- Estates including property in England or Wales
- Reviewing the will and advising on its validity
Typical Fee Range
£900 – £1,500
Including VAT. Disbursements are additional. See full fee information.
How the Process Works
Initial Discussion
We discuss the estate with you, review the will (if there is one) and explain the process clearly.
Gather Information
We collect details of the estate's assets and liabilities and prepare the necessary documentation.
Prepare the Application
We prepare the probate application and any supporting documents, including the inheritance tax return where required.
Submit to the Probate Registry
We submit the application to the Probate Registry and deal with any queries that arise.
Grant Issued
Once the grant is issued, you have the legal authority to deal with the estate's assets.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a grant of probate?
A grant of probate is a legal document issued by the Probate Registry that confirms the executor's authority to deal with the deceased's estate. It allows the executor to access bank accounts, sell property, and distribute assets to beneficiaries. Without a grant of probate, most financial institutions and the Land Registry will not release assets.
Do I always need probate when someone dies?
Not always. Probate is not required for jointly held assets (which pass automatically to the surviving owner), assets held in trust, or small estates with limited bank balances. However, if the estate includes a property in the deceased's sole name, probate is almost always required. We can advise whether probate is needed in your specific circumstances.
How long does it take to get a grant of probate?
The Probate Registry currently takes 8–16 weeks to issue a grant once the application is submitted. Preparing the application — gathering information, valuing the estate, and completing the forms — typically takes 4–8 weeks. In total, allow 3–6 months from instruction to receiving the grant. Complex estates or those requiring inheritance tax reporting may take longer.
What is the difference between a grant of probate and letters of administration?
A grant of probate is issued where the deceased left a valid will appointing an executor. Letters of administration are issued where there is no will (intestacy), or where the executor named in the will is unable or unwilling to act. Both documents give the holder legal authority to administer the estate, but the rules governing who can apply differ.
How much does it cost to apply for probate?
The Probate Registry charges a fixed fee of £300 for estates over £5,000. Solicitor fees for preparing and submitting the application typically range from £900 to £1,500 plus VAT, depending on the complexity of the estate. We provide a fixed fee estimate before any work begins.
Can I apply for probate myself without a solicitor?
Yes — executors can apply for probate themselves using the government's online service. However, errors in the application are common and can cause significant delays. Where the estate includes property, inheritance tax, or complex assets, professional assistance is strongly recommended. We can prepare the application on your behalf, ensuring it is correct and submitted promptly.
What happens after the grant of probate is issued?
Once the grant is issued, the executor can begin collecting and distributing the estate's assets. This involves notifying banks and financial institutions, transferring or selling property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remainder to beneficiaries. This process is known as estate administration and can take several months to complete.
Plan Ahead
How Probate Connects to Your Wider Estate Planning
Wills & Estate Planning
A professionally drafted will makes probate significantly simpler. It appoints executors, sets out your wishes clearly, and can reduce inheritance tax exposure.
Explore Wills & Estates →Lasting Power of Attorney
An LPA manages your affairs during your lifetime if you lose capacity. It ends at death — at which point probate takes over. Many families arrange both together.
Explore LPA →Full Estate Administration
Once probate is granted, the estate must be administered — collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing to beneficiaries. We can manage this entire process for you.
Explore Estate Administration →Explore Further
Related Probate Services
Related: Lasting Power of Attorney
Dealing with a loved one's estate often prompts people to put their own affairs in order. A Lasting Power of Attorney ensures someone you trust can manage your affairs if you ever lose capacity — avoiding the need for a costly Court of Protection application.
Related: Wills, Trusts & Estates
Probate is closely connected to will writing, trust planning and inheritance tax. Our wills, trusts and estates team can help you plan ahead — so that when the time comes, the administration of your estate is as straightforward as possible.
Understanding the Probate Application Process
Applying for probate is the legal process by which an executor obtains formal authority to deal with a deceased person's estate. The grant of probate — or letters of administration where there is no will — is issued by the Probate Registry and is required before most financial institutions and the Land Registry will release assets or transfer property.
The process begins with gathering information about the estate: identifying all assets (bank accounts, investments, property, personal possessions) and liabilities (mortgages, debts, outstanding bills). Where the estate is above the inheritance tax threshold (currently £325,000, or up to £500,000 with the residence nil-rate band), an inheritance tax return must be submitted to HMRC before the probate application can proceed.
Once the inheritance tax position is resolved, the probate application is submitted to the Probate Registry. The application includes the original will (if there is one), a statement of truth from the executor, and the probate fee (currently £300 for estates over £5,000). The Probate Registry currently takes 8–16 weeks to issue the grant, though this can vary.
After the grant is issued, the executor has legal authority to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate to beneficiaries. This process — known as estate administration — can take several months to complete, particularly where property is involved or where there are multiple beneficiaries.
At PDA Law, our probate solicitors in Chester assist executors and administrators across Cheshire, North Wales, Merseyside and the Wirral. We offer a fixed-fee service for straightforward probate applications and a tailored service for more complex estates. All fees are confirmed in writing before any work begins. Call us on 01244 757 352 or contact us online for a free initial discussion.
Ready to Take the First Step?
We offer a confidential initial discussion to help you understand the process and your options. There is no obligation to proceed.
No obligation — talk through your options first · Clear fees confirmed in writing
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Our Probate Team
Speak to a Member of Our Team
Nikolina Vukovic
Legal Executive — Wills, Trusts & Estates
Nikolina specialises in probate, wills, trusts and estate administration. She supports clients through what is often one of the most difficult periods of their lives — from straightforward administrations to complex estates involving property, inheritance tax and sensitive family circumstances.
Darren Steele
Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member
Darren has worked in the legal sector since 1998 and has been a STEP member since 2011. He specialises in wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney and probate — with particular expertise in inheritance tax planning and complex estate structuring.
Laura Kirton
Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified
Laura is a qualified solicitor with ten years' post-qualification experience, specialising in wills, probate, and lasting powers of attorney. Known for her calm, methodical approach, she brings both legal expertise and genuine insight to every matter — particularly in emotionally complex family situations.
David Stahler
Wills, Trusts & Estates Executive
David is our first point of contact for clients enquiring about probate and estate planning. He brings a warm, personable approach to what can be a sensitive subject — and clients consistently remark on how at ease he makes them feel. Discreet, approachable, and thorough.