Can you do probate without a solicitor?

England & Wales · Probate · DIY

Quick answer

Yes. An executor can apply for probate themselves and pay only the £300 court fee — no solicitor is required. DIY probate suits straightforward estates: a valid will, assets in the UK, no inheritance tax complications and no disputes. For complex estates — business assets, foreign property, contested wills or tax to plan — professional help is usually worth the cost.

Doing probate yourself

There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor for probate. Many executors handle simple estates themselves through the online probate service, paying just the court fee.

When DIY probate works well

There is a clear, valid will naming you as executor.
The assets are straightforward — a home, bank accounts, perhaps some investments.
No inheritance tax is due, or the position is simple.
The family is in agreement and there is no hint of a dispute.

When to get professional help

The estate is large or includes business or agricultural assets.
There is foreign property, or assets held in trust.
Inheritance tax is payable and reliefs need to be claimed correctly.
The will is unclear, missing, or someone may challenge it.
The estate may be insolvent (debts exceed assets).

Remember that an executor is personally responsible for getting it right. Mistakes — underpaying tax, distributing too early, missing a creditor — can fall on the executor personally, so the saving from DIY has to be weighed against the risk.

Example scenario

Priya is the sole executor of her late father's £240,000 estate: a flat, one bank account and a small ISA, with no inheritance tax due and one beneficiary (herself). She applies online, pays £300, and completes the administration in about seven months without a solicitor. Her neighbour, dealing with a £1.2m estate including a rental portfolio and an inheritance-tax bill, instructs a specialist instead.

Middle ground: Some people use a solicitor only for the tricky part — for example the inheritance tax account — and handle the rest themselves, keeping fees down.

What happens next?

Complete the questionnaireA few guided questions about you, your family and your wishes.
Human reviewYour answers are checked by the ClearLegacy editorial team for completeness.
Receive your documentsYour will and supporting paperwork are produced, ready to print.
Sign correctlyClear instructions on signing and witnessing so the will is legally valid.
Protect your familyYour wishes are recorded and your loved ones are spared the intestacy default.

Sources

GOV.UK — Applying for probate (application fee £300; estates over £5,000)
GOV.UK — Probate fees and additional copies (£16 per copy)
HM Courts & Tribunals Service — probate timeliness statistics, 2025
GOV.UK — Valuing the estate of someone who's died

Reviewed by: ClearLegacy editorial team
Last reviewed: June 2026
Next review: December 2026
Jurisdiction: England & Wales

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