Probate is needed if the estate has property or over £50K. Joint accounts are exempt. Check bank thresholds.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's Probate Process guide cluster. Estimated reading time: 10 min.
No. Probate is not always required. If the deceased held all assets jointly with a surviving spouse or civil partner, or if the estate is small (typically under £5,000–£15,000 depending on the institution), many banks and organisations will release funds without a grant.
GOV.UK currently says you will usually get probate within 12 weeks of submitting the application. Applications with missing documents, Inheritance Tax checks, caveats, foreign assets, or disputes can take longer. The wider estate administration process often continues for several months after the grant is issued.
The probate application fee is £526 for an estate worth more than £5,000. There is no application fee if the estate is worth £5,000 or less.
Yes. You can apply for probate yourself online via the government's MyHMCTS service or by post using form PA1P (with a will) or PA1A (without a will). Many people handle straightforward estates without legal help.
If you distribute assets without obtaining probate when it was required, you could be held personally liable for any debts of the estate that were not paid, and beneficiaries could take legal action against you.