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WILLS PROBATE |
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Key Facts: Primary Sources Cited
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In Brief The only mandatory cost of doing probate yourself is the HMCTS application fee: currently £300 for estates over £5,000, rising to £526 from 13 July 2026, plus £16 per extra sealed copy of the grant. There is no professional fee if you complete the PA1P or PA1A form and apply without a solicitor. |
Can you really do probate yourself in the UK?
Yes. Executors are entitled to apply for a grant of probate personally, and HMCTS processes personal applications through the same online and paper routes used by solicitors. The application uses form PA1P if the deceased left a valid will, or form PA1A if they did not. Both are available to complete online through the GOV.UK probate service or by post to HMCTS Probate.
What does DIY probate cost
| Item | Current cost | Cost from 13 July 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMCTS application fee (estate over £5,000) | £300 | £526 | GOV.UK, Applying for probate: fees |
| Extra sealed copy, ordered with application | £16 | £2 | MOJ, Court and tribunal fees: updates from July 2026 |
| Extra sealed copy, ordered later | £16 | £16 (unchanged) | GOV.UK, Applying for probate: fees |
| Solicitor fee | £0 (not applicable) | £0 (not applicable) | Not payable if applying personally |
Beyond the government fee and copy charges, a DIY applicant may also face postage costs and, where the estate includes property, disbursements such as Land Registry official copies at £3 per document. These are the same disbursements a solicitor would also pass on as a separate charge, so they are not unique to the DIY route.
How to apply for probate without a solicitor: step by step
- Confirm probate is needed. Contact each bank, pension provider, or investment platform holding the deceased's assets and ask whether they require a grant before releasing funds. Jointly owned assets usually pass automatically and do not need probate.
- Value the estate. You must estimate the gross and net value of the estate before applying, since this determines whether the estate is excepted for inheritance tax purposes and whether the £300 (soon £526) fee applies.
- Report to HMRC. Most excepted estates now report their summary figures directly on form PA1P or PA1A rather than a separate IHT205, following the January 2022 reporting changes. Non-excepted estates must complete form IHT400 and obtain confirmation from HMRC before applying for the grant.
- Complete PA1P or PA1A. Use PA1P if there is a valid will, naming the executors. Use PA1A if there is no will, following the intestacy priority order for who may apply.
- Apply online or by post. Online applications are processed faster than paper ones. Postal applications go to HMCTS Probate, PO Box 12625, Harlow, CM20 9QE, with the original will (if any) and the death certificate.
- Pay the fee. HMCTS will not issue the grant until the application fee is paid in full, whether by card online or cheque by post.
- Wait for the grant. Straightforward online applications are typically processed within several weeks, though paper applications and estates requiring further checks take longer.
- Distribute the estate. Once the grant arrives, use the sealed copies to close accounts, transfer property, and pay debts before distributing what remains to beneficiaries under the will or the intestacy rules.
When is DIY probate not suitable?
Certain factual circumstances make personal applications considerably harder to manage, regardless of how organised the executor is. These include estates where the will is contested or its validity is in doubt, estates with foreign assets or foreign domicile questions, estates where the deceased or the estate itself is insolvent, and estates requiring a full IHT400 account with complex reliefs or trusts. In these situations the paperwork and legal risk both increase substantially, and the cost comparison with a solicitor (see probate solicitor fees) looks different once the value of avoiding mistakes is factored in.
DIY probate and valuations
Even without a solicitor, an executor still has to value the estate correctly, particularly any property. This is a legal responsibility, not an optional step, and HMRC can challenge undervaluation after the grant has been issued. See our guide to probate valuation costs for what must be valued and how.
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Disclaimer This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Figures and fees are correct as of the date of publication and are subject to change; always confirm current costs directly with the relevant government body, court service, or regulator before making a decision based on this guide. Kael Tripton Ltd does not provide legal or financial advice and receives no commission, referral fee, or lead-generation payment in connection with this content. |
Do I need a solicitor to apply for probate?
No. Executors and administrators are entitled to apply for a grant of probate or letters of administration personally, using form PA1P or PA1A, without instructing a solicitor.
What is the difference between PA1P and PA1A?
PA1P is used when the deceased left a valid will and results in a grant of probate. PA1A is used when there is no will and results in letters of administration, with the applicant determined by the intestacy priority order rather than a named executor.
Do I still need to complete IHT forms if I do probate myself?
Yes, unless the estate is entirely exempt. Most excepted estates report the required figures directly on PA1P or PA1A since the January 2022 changes, while non-excepted estates must submit form IHT400 to HMRC before applying for the grant.
How long does DIY probate take?
Processing time depends on HMCTS workload, whether the application is online or on paper, and whether any information needs correcting. Applying online and ensuring the estate value and IHT position are accurate before submission both help avoid delays.
What happens if I make a mistake on the application?
An incomplete or inconsistent application can be stopped or queried by the Probate Registry, which extends the timescale. Checking the estate value and IHT figures against bank statements and HMRC confirmation before submitting reduces the risk of this happening.
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