Stopping a probate application

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Apply to enter a caveat

You can apply for a caveat online or by post. It costs £3.

What information you need

You need:

  • the full name of the person who’s died and any other names they were known by
  • the exact date of death on the death certificate
  • the last address of the person who’s died
  • your home address in England or Wales
  • your email address (if you want to apply online)

If you do not have the death certificate

You can enter a caveat without the death certificate, but you must amend the caveat with the exact date of death when you know it. The probate application might not be stopped if the date of death is wrong.

Fees

It costs £3 to enter a caveat.

If you apply by post, you must pay by sending a cheque payable to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’ with your form.

Get help with fees

You may be able to get help to pay the caveat fee and other court fees if you have a low income or are on certain benefits.

You’ll still need to pay the caveat application fee if you apply for a caveat online. You’ll be refunded if your application for help with fees is successful.

Apply online for help with fees

Apply for help with fees online. You must do this before applying for a caveat.

Apply by post for help with fees

Fill in and send off form EX160. You must do this before applying for a caveat.

You’ll also need to email or post a copy of the completed form to the probate fees team before you apply for a caveat.

If you want to email the copy, include in the email subject line:

  • ‘HWF’
  • whether you’re applying for a caveat online or by post
  • the full name of the person who died
  • the date of death

Probate help with fees team
probatehelpwithfees@justice.gov.uk

If you want to send the copy by post, send it to the Leeds District Probate Registry. Include a note to say whether you’re applying for a caveat online or by post.

Newcastle District Probate Registry
2nd Floor
Kings Court
Earl Grey Way
North Shields
NE29 6AR

Apply for a caveat online

Apply now

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Apply for a caveat by post

Fill in form PA8A and send it to HMCTS Probate

Leeds District Probate Registry
York House
31 York Place
Leeds
LS1 2BA

If you need help

You can contact the Probate helpline.

Probate helpline
0300 303 0648
Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm
Closed on bank holidays
Find out about call charges

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