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On or after 1st March 2025
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What is probate?

What is an Administrator in Probate?

An administrator is the person appointed to manage the estate of someone who died without a valid Will. The role is essentially the same as an executor’s, but the authority to act comes from a Grant of Letters of Administration rather than from a Will.

Administrator vs executor

An executor is named in a Will. An administrator is appointed by the Probate Registry when there is no valid Will. Once the respective grant is issued, both have the same legal authority over the estate.

Who can be an administrator?

The right to apply follows the Rules of Intestacy: a surviving spouse or civil partner has priority, followed by adult children, then other relatives. An unmarried partner does not automatically have the right to act.

What does an administrator do?

  • Value the estate fully as at the date of death
  • Complete and submit the IHT400 to HMRC
  • Apply for Letters of Administration using form PA1A
  • Collect in assets, pay debts and taxes, distribute the estate in accordance with the Rules of Intestacy
  • Draw up estate accounts

YouCanDoProbate’s Intestacy Walkthrough guides you through who is entitled to inherit, and the platform completes the PA1A and all required IHT400 forms automatically.

Ready to begin?

The easy and affordable way to apply for probate

Register today and work through your application at your own pace, with unlimited UK-based expert support whenever you need it.
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Trustpilot five star rating
The system was very user friendly

The system was very user friendly, and easy to use. The case was not straight forward and when needed, the telephone support was superb. Will definitely use again. Highly recommended.

KJ
Trustpilot five star rating
This is the answer to your probate woes

Having used a well known company previously to carry out a probate application and being very dissatisfied as it took 12 months (this was not a complex case) I was determined to apply myself this time around. However the government online system is not very user friendly and I found myself rethinking my approach. You can do probate were the perfect middle ground. The cost was considerably less and the availability of experts to consult with throughout the process was very reassuring. Before you go straight to a solicitor or an independent probate firm take a look at we can do probate. The biggest difference is that you are in control of the time frame . I will use them again if the event ever arises.

Customer colin
Trustpilot five star rating
Ease the paperwork – a gem

It has been a real game-changer streamlined the process and lifted the burden of endless paperwork. It’s straightforward and took away so much stress from dealing with probate during a difficult time. Huge shout out to Tom for his patience and clear guidance; he made everything feel manageable and approachable. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine going through this without their support. We were quoted around £6,000 from lawyers! The Probate Office needs to help us out more by referring everyone to this site!

Lilly
Trustpilot five star rating
Exceptional company

Exceptional company. Made the whole process incredibly easy for me and I had to ask multiple questions at which time there was always someone approachable to ask. I would not hesitate to recommend. Very professional easy to use platform. Cannot thank them enough for their help.

jacqueline fawcett
Trustpilot five star rating
It was all clear and concise…

It was all clear and concise instructions. You could leave the site at anytime and all your work is saved so you can go back to where you left off. The only negative I feel is that it doesn’t tell you until the end that you have to pay more money which was abit of a shock so maybe you could just make your applicants aware that it isn’t just £399. Thankyou though still as it only took 3 weeks to get the probate done and to become the administrator of my mums estate.

W.m.porteous
Trustpilot five star rating
Timely and efficient support at a…

Timely and efficient support at a sensible cost.

Paul
Trustpilot five star rating
I was quite daunted by the procedure of…

I was quite daunted by the procedure of probate as I’d never been in this position before, but you made the whole process almost easy. Adam was brilliant, if I had a query or was unsure about anything he helped me to understand and navigate the forms successfully. All your staff were efficient, helpful and friendly and I would recommend you to anyone without a moment’s hesitation. Thank you so much

Maureen
Trustpilot five star rating
Grant of Probate within 8 weeks from signup

Less than 8 weeks from signing up to YCDP to the Grant of Probate arriving in the post! As others have said – no need to pay through the nose for a solicitor, the YCDP platform is far quicker and far cheaper than using a solicitor. All relevant IHT forms were generated with ease, printed and then sent via post with accompanying requested documents – this was acknowledged within 3 weeks – then the generated PA1P probate form was sent to HMCTS (again, with accompanying documents & cheque) – Grant of Probate received in the post less than 2 weeks later! Fantastic and saved me thousands. Very happy with the platform and service, relieved to have found this alternative as opposed to instructing an expensive solicitor.

D M
Trustpilot five star rating
Excellent and easy service to use and a great price

We decided to use you can do private after realising how much a solicitor would charge us The forms were easy step by step all information and questions we needed to ask were easily found. The online and telephone support was excellent we are still going through it as takes up to 16 weeks for it to be completed We were very impressed and so would our dad be if he thought it was saving us money

Amanda Gilbert
Trustpilot five star rating
The form was quite easy to follow

The form was quite easy to follow. But the support from the staff was fantastic and very helpful.

R Z
Trustpilot five star rating
Excellent solution

Excellent solution Easy no nonsense approach to take you through the process

Sarah
Trustpilot five star rating
I am so glad that I chose to invest in…

I am so glad that I chose to invest in this software. It is a simple tool which guides you through the process in a very clear way. Firstly you can input the required information about the estate (which you would have to collate and provide to a solicitor anyway) and it then determines which forms need to be populated to apply for probate (and inheritance tax), and populates them correctly. It has saved us a lot of time and money . The customer support team are very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly, and easy to get hold of. Thank you for making this a smooth process at a difficult time. Our grant of probate was received today which was only 5-6 weeks after receipt of the application by the probate office at a time where the probate office are quoting 8 week lead times to acknowledge probate application receipt.

Hilary Spain
AFFORDABLE FIXED PRICE
Forms filled in for you
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Save money, time and stress with YouCanDoProbate
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£499

including VAT
Additional costs: The probate registry fee of £526 (for all estates over £5,000) and any additional official copies at £2 each. (Payable directly to HM Courts and Tribunals Service by cheque or postal order, enclosed with your application forms).
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© YouCanDoProbate • YouCanDoProbate is a trading name of Kabing Ltd.
YouCanDoProbate is an online platform providing legal forms and information. YouCanDoProbate is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Our online probate and inheritance tax service is an online platform providing probate and inheritance tax forms and information to allow you to complete inheritance tax returns and apply for probate yourself. Our telephone, email and livechat support provides guidance only, we do not provide bespoke advice, including estate planning or tax advice and it is not a substitute for a lawyer’s advice about complex estate planning or tax issues.
© Kabing Ltd | All Rights Reserved. Company number 12125399.

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