Wills, probate and inheritance

What is probate

Probate is the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money and possessions (their ‘estate’) when they die. You should not make any financial plans or put property on the market until you’ve received probate.

How to get probate

You need to apply to get probate. Before applying, check that it’s needed and that you’re eligible to apply. You also need to estimate and report the estate’s value to find out if there’s Inheritance Tax to pay. You can apply for probate online or by post after you’ve valued the estate.

Get help and advice

If you have a question about applying for probate, contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre.

For further information, read Gov.uk's advice on applying for probate.