The story behind YouCanDoProbate.
Two people who cared about getting it right
YouCanDoProbate was born from personal experience. Not a gap in the market spotted from a distance. A real situation, a real problem, and a decision to do something about it.
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Call 0800 689 1447 · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
Where it began
Jonathan Friedman was appointed executor after his father died. What he found shocked him.
Jonathan is a Chartered Accountant and software developer. He understood numbers, tax and process. He expected probate to be straightforward. It was not.
Even with his professional background, the process was unnecessarily complicated, opaque and time-consuming. The forms were confusing. The rules were buried. The guidance was minimal. And when he looked at what solicitors and banks were charging to handle it, he was appalled.
“Solicitors and banks have charged too much, for too little, for too long.”
Jonathan Friedman
Co-Founder
He knew that what felt like a legal process was in fact an administrative one. A matter of gathering information, completing forms and handling calculations. Something that could be done by a well-built platform for a fraction of the cost. So he built one. He teamed up with James Zonko, an experienced designer and app developer, who brought the user experience that makes the platform genuinely easy to use for anyone facing probate for the first time.
“Applying for probate can seem daunting and a bit overwhelming, but what we have done is simplify everything. We have untied the red tape and created an easy to use, straightforward, walk-through system.” said James. That was the goal. That is what YouCanDoProbate delivers.
There is now a realistic solution to apply for probate, without needing a professional, or without the hardship of doing it alone.
"YouCanDoProbate has changed the probate industry, and created a new offering to the market."
James Zonko
Co-Founder
We built a
better way.
YouCanDoProbate
The first and only online platform to automatically complete every probate and inheritance tax form for you.
YouCanDoProbate takes the information you would give a solicitor and does the technical work automatically. Every calculation, every exemption, every form. Completed from your answers. For one fixed price of £499.
Built by a Chartered Accountant
Jonathan's accounting background means the platform applies the correct rules, exemptions and calculations on every application. The inheritance tax handling in particular reflects deep professional knowledge of how the rules actually work.
Designed for real people
James's focus on user experience means every section of the platform is designed to be understood by someone who has never applied for probate before. Plain-English questions, built-in guidance, video explanations throughout.
Independently accredited
YouCanDoProbate is accredited by the ICAEW, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. An independent assessment of whether the platform does what it says it does. It does.
“Straightforward and easy to use, I’d recommend this to anyone.”
David Glover
Verified Trustpilot Review
You can put
your trust in us.
Our credentials
Independently assessed. Rated Excellent. Trusted by thousands.
YouCanDoProbate is not self-declared. Every claim we make about accuracy, compliance and support is backed by independent evidence.
ICAEW accredited
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has independently assessed YouCanDoProbate for accuracy and compliance. Not a badge we applied for. An assessment of whether the platform does what it says it does.
Rated 4.9 'Excellent' on Trustpilot
Real reviews from real people who have used YouCanDoProbate to apply for probate themselves. Reviewed at one of the most difficult times of their lives. A 4.9 rating in those circumstances means something.
Trusted by over 2,000 families
More than 2,000 families across England and Wales have used YouCanDoProbate to apply for probate. Each one gathered their estate details and let the platform do the rest. Each one saved thousands compared to the alternative.
We're rated
Excellent.
Real stories from real people
Many of our customers were sceptical at first. Here’s what they discovered.
Thousands of people have used YouCanDoProbate to apply for probate themselves, saving money and stress at one of the hardest times in their lives.
Not a simple case
“The system was very user friendly, and easy to use. The case was not straight forward and when needed, the telephone support was superb.”
KJ
Verified Trustpilot Review
Two probates at once
“This platform is amazing! My case was a difficult one as I had to do two probates at the same time.”
Lisa Edwards
Verified Trustpilot Review
Takes the hassle away
“When life is at its trickiest and you are expected to be able to navigate probate, this service takes all the hassle out of it.”
Louise Conway
Verified Trustpilot Review
At a difficult time
“At such a difficult and upsetting time, the process was straightforward and clear.”
Janette Sharp
Verified Trustpilot Review
Inheritance Tax too
“My mother died in March this year and I now have an IHT421 AND Probate.”
Mike B
Verified Trustpilot Review
A game-changer
“It has been a real game-changer streamlined the process and lifted the burden of endless paperwork.”
Lilly
Verified Trustpilot Review
One fair
fixed price.
How much does it cost?
No hidden extras. No hourly rates. No percentage of the estate.
The price you see is the price you pay, whether your estate is simple or involves inheritance tax.
One time payment
£499
including VAT
The only additional cost is the official £526 Probate Registry fee for estates over £5,000, paid directly to HMCTS by cheque or postal order enclosed with your printed application.
Want to talk to us first?
Call 0800 689 1447 · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
Call 0800 689 1447 · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
Try it risk-free.
14 Day Money Back
Guarantee
Guarantee
T&Cs apply.
What's included?
Everything you need to apply, in one price
-
Probate forms completed for you
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Inheritance tax forms completed when required
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Guided, step-by-step probate journey
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Automatic estate calculations and exemptions
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Full submission guidance: what to send, where, and how
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Unlimited support by phone, email, live chat and ticket
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Integrated written and video guidance
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Save your progress and return any time
Available for
almost any estate.
Who can use YouCanDoProbate?
YouCanDoProbate works for nearly any estate in England and Wales
The platform is designed to support almost any estate in England and Wales, including those with an inheritance tax liability. There are some situations where it is worth speaking to us first, and the small number of cases where a different route would serve you better.
You can use our platform when
The person died on or after 1 January 2022
If the death was before this date please call us on 0800 689 1447 as we may still be able to help you on our legacy platform.
They were domiciled (or a long-term UK resident living) in England or Wales
You cannot use the platform if the deceased was not domiciled in England or Wales or if they were married or had a civil partner, their surviving spouse was not domiciled in England or Wales.
Not sure? Call us before registering and we will tell you honestly. Call 0800 689 1447 · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
Died with a valid Will or without a Will
Assets outside the UK
PA1P and PA1A Probate forms
IHT400 IHT forms inc. all schedules
Spousal and Charitable exemptions
Transfer of Nil Rate Band (TNRB)
Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB)
Transfer of Residence Nil Rate Band (TRNRB)
Worth a quick chat with us first
You may still be able to use the platform in these situations. Please speak to us before you start.
A claim for a Reduced Rate of Inheritance Tax. (Not available in the platform but can be completed independently).
When you cannot use the platform
In addition to the domicile outside of England or Wales if any of the following apply to the person who died or their estate you cannot use our platform.
Want to know more first?
See how it works
See exactly how straightforward this is, from your first question to your completed forms.
Why choose us
Thousands saved, weeks not months, and you stay in control throughout.
Got questions?
Every question answered about the platform, the price and the process.
Less cost. Less time. Less stress.
The better way to get probate done.
Work through the platform at your own pace. Expert support whenever you need it. Your Grant of Probate at the end of it, without paying thousands you do not have to pay.
Try it risk-free · 14 Day Money Back Guarantee
Call 0800 689 1447 · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
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