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Search online for a will, grant of representation or probate document for a death in or after 1858

Find out if you need to apply for probate to deal with the estate of someone who’s died. Discover how to apply for probate or letters of administration and what to do if there’s no will.

• What is probate

  Probate is the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money and…

• If there’s a will

  You can apply for probate if you’re named as an executor in either the…

• If there is not a will

  If the person did not leave a will, the most ‘entitled’ person can apply…

• Before you apply

  Before applying for probate you’ll need to complete the following steps.…

• Fees

  You may have to pay a fee to apply for probate. Whether you need to pay…

• Apply for probate

  You can apply for probate yourself online or by post. This can be cheaper…

• After you've applied

  Your application will be reviewed by the Probate Service. Track your…

If you already have the right or have probate (as an executor or administrator) you can start dealing with the estate. You may need to apply for the right to deal with the estate of the person who's died (also...

• Overview

  As a personal representative (an executor or administrator) you’re legally…

• Settling debts and taxes

  You must pay any debts and settle the taxes for the person who died. This…

• Managing and selling assets

  You may have to pay taxes for the estate if there is any new income while…

• Reporting an estate’s income to HMRC

  You may need to send information to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about…

• Distributing the estate

  Once you have paid any debts and taxes, or you are sure the estate has…

Use this form to apply for probate by post either as an executor named in the will of someone who's died, or as a beneficiary if there are no executors.

Value the estate of someone who's died so that you can get probate: work out if tax is due, check how to report the estate's value, complete the correct form.

Use this form to apply for letters of administration to manage the estate of the person who has died if they have not left a will.

Forms and guidance on probate including fees, where to send your probate forms (PA1A and PA1P) and supplementary forms to support your application.

• Updated: 25 October 2022

Use this form to search for a ‘grant of representation’ (known as ‘probate’) or a will for someone who died in England and Wales in or after 1858.

• Updated: 17 April 2024

Guidance for practitioners applying for probate or to stop a probate application using MyHMCTS.

• Updated: 3 September 2024