Do I need probate?
Last reviewed June 2026
Whether you need probate in England and Wales depends on what the person owned and how it was held. Probate is usually required if the deceased held assets in their sole name above a bank's threshold (commonly £5,000–£50,000), owned property as a sole owner or as tenants in common, or held investments outside a tax wrapper. You usually don't need probate when everything was jointly owned with a surviving spouse or partner and passes automatically, or when total assets sit below every organisation's threshold. Use the checks below to narrow it down in a minute.
Which best describes the estate?
When probate is required
Probate (a grant of representation) is the legal authority to deal with someone's estate. You'll need it when any single organisation holds assets above their internal threshold, when there's UK property in the deceased's sole name, or when there are shares held outside an ISA.
When you can skip probate
You can usually skip probate when the estate passes entirely by survivorship (jointly owned home, joint bank accounts), when every asset sits below the relevant organisation's threshold, or when assets were held in trust.
Bank thresholds at a glance
Some banks publish a limit for releasing funds without a grant; others confirm their requirements after you notify them. Limits can depend on the account, whether there is a will and the circumstances. You may still need identification, a closure form and other documents. A bank's limit does not decide whether probate is needed for the rest of the estate.
- Barclays: more than £50,000 in sole accounts needs a grant (joint accounts do not)
- Santander: more than £50,000 across sole accounts needs a grant
- Nationwide: below £50,000 without a grant using their closure form; above £50,000 needs a grant
- HSBC UK: £50,000 with a will, £25,000 without (UK residents; can still ask for a grant)
- first direct: up to £50,000 with a will, £25,000 without (UK residents, subject to circumstances)
- Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland: depends on the products held, ask the bank to confirm
- NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank: the bank confirms what it needs after you notify it
Frequently asked questions
How much does probate cost in the UK?
The application fee is £526 for estates over £5,000 (free below). Extra official copies of the grant cost £2 each when ordered with the application and £16 each afterwards, so check the current price on GOV.UK before you order. Solicitor fees vary widely, typically £1,500–£5,000 for a simple estate, or 1%–5% of the estate's value.
How long does probate take after death?
Getting the grant and finishing the estate are different stages. In England and Wales, GOV.UK says you will usually receive the grant within 12 weeks of applying, although some applications take longer. Preparing the application and dealing with accounts, tax, debts and property add time. The whole process can take many months and sometimes longer than a year.
Can I do probate myself?
Yes. For simple estates with a clear will, no inheritance tax, and cooperative beneficiaries, you can apply directly via GOV.UK without a solicitor.
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