What is a grant of probate?
A grant of probate is the official court document that confirms an executor's authority to deal with a deceased person's estate — collecting in assets, paying debts and distributing to beneficiaries. It is issued to the executors named in a valid will. Where there is no will, the equivalent document is letters of administration.
Detailed explanation
Banks, registrars and the Land Registry usually want to see the grant before releasing or transferring assets.
- With a will: executors apply for a grant of probate.
- Without a will: the next of kin apply for letters of administration.
- The grant proves authority; extra sealed copies (£16 each) let you deal with several institutions at once.
A bank holding £40,000 of the deceased's savings refuses to release it until the executor produces a grant of probate. Once the executor sends a sealed copy of the grant, the bank pays the money into the estate account.
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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
Frequently asked questions
What is a grant of probate?
It is the official document confirming an executor's legal authority to administer an estate — collecting assets, paying debts and distributing to beneficiaries. It is issued to executors named in a valid will.
What is the difference between probate and letters of administration?
A grant of probate is issued to executors named in a will. Letters of administration are issued when there is no valid will (or no able executor), to the next of kin who administer the estate under the intestacy rules.
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