Probate & Estate Administration
Whether you're dealing with probate now or planning ahead, SettleWise guides you through every step with clarity, compassion, and expertise.
The Reality
And that's usually while grieving, stressed, and under pressure from family members asking when they'll receive their inheritance. Here's what you're actually facing.
Probate is the legal process that gives someone the authority to deal with a deceased person's estate — their money, property, and possessions. Without it, banks won't release funds, property can't be sold, and investments can't be cashed in.
If there's a valid will, you apply for a Grant of Probate. If there's no will, you apply for Letters of Administration.
Either way, as executor or administrator, you become personally responsible for handling the estate correctly — and personally liable if you get it wrong.
Average Timescales
Many people don't realise that as an executor or administrator, you are personally liable for any mistakes — with no upper limit on that liability. This means if you distribute assets incorrectly, miss a debt, undervalue property for tax purposes, or fail to follow proper procedures, you can be pursued personally for the shortfall — even if the money has already been distributed to beneficiaries.
Real case: An executor distributed an estate before confirming all tax liabilities, on the understanding that the beneficiary would pay the inheritance tax. The beneficiary then moved to Barbados without paying. The court ruled the executor was personally liable for nearly £350,000 — it was no defence that they'd given the money to someone who agreed to pay the tax.
This is why professional support isn't just about convenience — it's about protecting yourself from potentially devastating financial consequences.
The Process
This is what's actually involved in administering an estate. Each step has potential pitfalls that can delay the process or create personal liability.
Must be done within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (8 days in Scotland). You'll need the medical certificate of cause of death, plus birth certificate, marriage certificate or NHS card if available. Order multiple copies of the death certificate — you'll need one for each bank, insurer, and organisation.
Locate the original will as quickly as possible — it may contain funeral instructions and names the executor. Check the deceased's home, solicitor, bank safe deposit box, or the National Will Register.
You must identify and accurately value everything: bank accounts, property, investments, pensions, life insurance, businesses, vehicles, jewellery, collectibles, and even digital assets like cryptocurrency. Gifts made within 7 years of death may also count.
This is where many people get stuck. If the estate is above £325,000 (or £500,000 if the home passes to direct descendants), you must complete complex HMRC forms (IHT400, IHT435, IHT217) and wait for HMRC to respond before you can apply for probate.
If the estate mainly consists of property with little cash, you may need to take out a specialist probate loan or even sell the property to pay the tax.
Complete the probate application online or by post. You'll need form PA1P (if there's a will) or PA1A (if there's no will), plus the original will, death certificate, and inheritance tax forms. The application fee is £300 for estates over £5,000.
Contact every organisation the deceased had a relationship with: banks, building societies, pension providers, insurers, utility companies, HMRC, DWP, DVLA, mortgage lenders, credit card companies, landlords, employers, and subscription services. Each has its own process and requirements.
You'll need to send a Letter of Authority with each communication, along with a certified copy of the death certificate and proof of your appointment as executor/administrator.
All debts must be paid before any distribution to beneficiaries. This includes mortgages, loans, credit cards, utility bills, care home fees, and taxes owed. Debts must be paid in a specific legal order.
Joint debts become the sole responsibility of the survivor. If the estate can't cover all debts, there's a strict legal order for who gets paid first.
Close bank accounts, cash in investments, claim life insurance, collect pension death benefits, and sell any property. Each organisation has different requirements and timescales.
Finally, distribute what remains according to the will — or the intestacy rules if there's no will. Prepare final estate accounts showing all income, expenses, and distributions.
That's a minimum of 9 complex steps, typically taking 6-12 months and 100+ hours of your time.
All while grieving, managing family expectations, and carrying personal liability for any mistakes.
See How We Can HelpWhen There's No Will
Over half of UK adults don't have a will. If someone dies without one ("intestate"), strict legal rules determine who inherits — regardless of what they would have wanted, what they told people, or what seems fair.
Unmarried Partners
Even after 30+ years together, raising children, and sharing everything — a cohabiting partner inherits nothing automatically. There is no such thing as "common law marriage" in the UK.
Stepchildren
Unless legally adopted, stepchildren have no right to inherit — even if they were raised from infancy and consider themselves family.
Close Friends
The friend who visited every day, helped with shopping, provided companionship for years — nothing, unless named in a will.
Carers
Someone who gave up their career to provide years of care receives nothing under intestacy, regardless of promises made.
Married/Civil Partner, No Children
Spouse inherits everything.
Married/Civil Partner With Children, Estate Under £322,000
Spouse inherits everything. Children receive nothing.
Married/Civil Partner With Children, Estate Over £322,000
Spouse gets all personal possessions, the first £322,000, and half of everything above that. Children share the other half equally.
No Spouse, But Has Children
Children inherit everything equally — including children from previous relationships. If any child has already died, their share passes to their own children.
No Spouse, No Children
Estate passes to parents. If no parents, then to siblings. If no siblings, then to half-siblings, then grandparents, then aunts/uncles, then half-aunts/uncles, then cousins...
No Living Relatives At All
The entire estate passes to the Crown ("bona vacantia"). The government keeps everything.
Without a will naming an executor, someone must apply to become "administrator" of the estate. This follows a strict order of priority: spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings. If multiple people are equally entitled, they must agree who will act — or all apply together.
Family disputes are common. Processing takes longer. And the administrator faces all the same personal liability as an executor, but without clear instructions on how the deceased wanted their estate handled.
Our Services
Whether you want to do everything yourself with guidance, just need the legal paperwork handled, or want someone to take care of everything — we have a service that fits.
Self-Service
We guide you step-by-step — you do the work
£250
Fixed fee + £300 probate registry fee
Best for: Simple estates under £325,000 with straightforward assets, where you have time and confidence to handle paperwork yourself.
You remain responsible for: Submitting forms, contacting organisations, collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing to beneficiaries.
Paperwork Handled
We get you the Grant — you handle the rest
£595
Fixed fee + £300 probate registry fee
Best for: When you're comfortable handling bank closures and distributions yourself, but want the forms done correctly by experts.
You remain responsible for: Contacting organisations, collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing to beneficiaries.
Full Service
We handle everything from start to finish
1%of estate
Minimum £1,000 + VAT · Includes registry fee
Best for: Complex estates, intestacy situations, when you don't have time, or when you want peace of mind and professional protection.
No Grant, No Fee guarantee · Pay from the estate, not upfront
People who've been through probate themselves report it was "sometimes a complicated and time-consuming process." While some found it a welcome distraction from grief, many wished they'd had professional help — especially when dealing with HMRC queries, chasing organisations, or managing family expectations.
The average estate takes 100+ hours of your time over 6-12 months. That's hours spent on hold with banks, completing forms, chasing paperwork, and managing beneficiaries asking when they'll receive their inheritance.
A single error on an IHT form can delay probate by months. Distributing before all debts are confirmed can leave you personally liable for tens of thousands. Using the wrong will version, missing a beneficiary, or miscalculating tax can result in legal action against you personally.
Our Concierge service provides professional indemnity — if we make a mistake, we're liable, not you. That protection alone is often worth more than the fee.
Transparent Pricing
We quote a fixed price upfront. If your estate has additional complexity, we'll tell you before you commit — with capped fees so there are no surprises.
These are quoted upfront based on your circumstances. You'll know the total cost before proceeding.
| Complexity | Examples | Additional Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes / Contentious | Caveats, will challenges, family claims | +0.5% or £200/hr |
| Missing Information | Lost will, unknown beneficiaries, tracing required | £500 – £2,000 |
| Overseas / Complex Assets | Foreign property, businesses, farms, trusts | +0.5% or £1,000+ |
| High IHT Complexity | Taxable estates, business/agricultural relief claims | £1,000 – £3,000 |
| Debts / Insolvency | Estate debts exceed assets | Case-by-case quote |
| Multiple Applicants | 4+ executors, renouncements required | £500 |
If we don't obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, you don't pay our fee (you'll only be liable for government disbursements already incurred).
With Concierge, there's no deposit upfront. In most cases, our fee is paid from the estate once assets are collected — so you're not out of pocket.
SettleAdvance
Probate can take 6-12 months, but bills don't wait. Inheritance Tax is due within 6 months of death — often before you can access estate funds. Funeral costs, property maintenance, and everyday expenses still need paying.
Through our lending partners, we can arrange advances against the estate to cover:
No Credit Checks
Approval based on estate value, not your personal finances
No Monthly Repayments
Loan repaid directly from estate when probate completes
No Personal Liability
Secured against estate, not your personal assets
Fast Approval
Typically 48-72 hours, funds within days
Rates from 1-2% per month. Available for estates with property or substantial assets. A regulated solicitor must be instructed on the estate.
Plan For The Future
Pre-pay for probate at today's prices. Your funds are held safely in trust until needed, and your family won't have to worry about costs or finding help during a difficult time.
Pre-Paid
£395
Lock in today's price
Refund available minus 10% admin fee
Pre-Paid
£795
Lock in today's price
Refund available minus 10% admin fee
Pre-Paid
£1,995
Lock in today's price
Refund available minus 10% admin fee
When you purchase a pre-paid plan, your payment is held securely in trust by Way Trustees — completely separate from our business funds. This means your money is protected and guaranteed to be available when your family needs it.
You lock in today's prices, protecting against future fee increases. When the time comes, your executors simply contact us and the service is already paid for.
Change of mind? You can request a refund at any time, minus a 10% administration fee. Moving abroad? We can transfer your plan or provide a refund.
Connected Services
SettleWise integrates seamlessly with other services to support you and your family through every stage.
Will writing and secure storage
Secure document storage
Memorial pages and donations
Bereavement support
Stay Organised
Keep all your probate documents organised and secure in one place. Upload death certificates, the will, property deeds, bank statements, and more.
Your documents are stored securely in your browser. Maximum file size: 5MB per document.
Organise your documents by category
Death Certificate
UploadWill & Testament
UploadGrant of Probate
UploadProperty Deeds
UploadBank & Financial
UploadInsurance Policies
UploadHMRC / Tax Forms
UploadBeneficiary Info
UploadOther Documents
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Take our free 2-minute assessment to find out if you need probate, get an estimate of the estate value, and receive a personalised recommendation.
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm · No obligation · Compassionate support