Free tool · England & Wales
Four quick questions to see whether the estate likely needs a Grant of Probate, or whether the banks will release everything without one.
1. Did the person leave a will?
With a will, the named executor applies for a Grant of Probate. Without one, the closest relative applies for Letters of Administration under the intestacy rules.
2. Were the home and bank accounts owned jointly with someone who is still alive?
Property held as joint tenants and joint bank accounts pass automatically to the surviving owner — no probate needed for those assets.
3. Did they own property (house or land) in their sole name?
A home or land owned only by the person who died — or a share held as tenants in common — almost always needs a grant before it can be sold or transferred.
4. Are the sole bank balances under about £50,000 at each bank?
Each bank sets its own limit for releasing money without probate. In 2026, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Santander and Nationwide release up to £50,000 with a death certificate and a declaration form.
Answer all four questions to see your result.
This tool gives a general starting point based on the rules in England & Wales — it is not legal advice. Scotland (confirmation) and Northern Ireland work differently, and each bank sets its own threshold; confirm your situation with the institutions involved.
An estate generally needs a grant when the person who died owned property in their sole name, or bank balances above each bank's own release threshold. Jointly owned homes and accounts pass automatically to the surviving owner, and in 2026 most major banks release up to £50,000 without a grant against a death certificate and declaration form.
Both are grants of representation — the legal right to deal with the estate. If there is a will, the executor named in it applies for a Grant of Probate. If there is no will, the closest relative under the intestacy rules applies for Letters of Administration and becomes the administrator.
The application fee in England and Wales is £526 for estates over £5,000 (it rose from £300 on 13 July 2026) and free for estates of £5,000 or less. Extra copies of the grant cost £2.05 each when ordered with the application. Professional help costs more — fixed-fee grant services start around £895.
No. It offers a general starting point based on the rules in England & Wales. Scotland uses a different process called confirmation and Northern Ireland has its own Probate Office, and every bank sets its own threshold — so confirm your specific situation with the institutions involved or a solicitor.