Wills and intestacy
How to Do Probate Without a Will
Finding yourself responsible for someone’s estate when they left no will is a common situation. But you can still do Probate without a will. This guide walks you through how.
First: make sure there really is no will
Before assuming there is no will, carry out a thorough search:
- The deceased’s home, including document files, filing cabinets, and lockboxes
- Their solicitor’s office (call any firm they may have used)
- Their bank, which may hold a copy
- The National Will Register at Certainty.co.uk
- The Probate Service’s will storage (a certificate of deposit would have been issued)
Only once you have exhausted every reasonable search should you proceed on the basis that no will exists.
What happens to the estate without a will?
When someone dies without a valid will, the Rules of Intestacy set out who is entitled to inherit. Broadly, the estate passes first to a surviving spouse or civil partner, then to children, then to other relatives in a defined order. Unmarried partners have no automatic entitlement. Neither do stepchildren unless formally adopted.
Who applies for Probate without a will?
Without a will, there is no named Executor. Instead, a close relative can apply to become the administrator of the estate. The order of priority broadly follows the intestacy rules: surviving spouse or civil partner first, then children, then other relatives.
How does the application process differ?
Instead of form PA1P (used when there is a will), you complete form PA1A, the Probate application form for intestacy cases. You submit it to the Probate Registry along with the relevant HMRC IHT forms, certified copies of the death certificate, and the £526 Probate Registry fee.
How YouCanDoProbate handles intestacy cases
YouCanDoProbate is equally effective for estates with and without a will. The platform’s Intestacy Walkthrough guides you through the family circumstances step by step, confirms who is entitled to what under the Rules of Intestacy, and uses those answers to complete the PA1A and all required HMRC forms automatically.
The easy and affordable way to apply for probate
Related articles
spot on. thanks.
I was very impressed and encouraged with how easy it was to use this service; a welcome change at a time when it is difficult to process the loss of a loved one, and all the legalities that involves, I was given reassurance and confidence that I can, and did do probate. The process was made easier and less stressful knowing I could ask for help as and when I got stuck. Tom was very supportive and encouraging (and patient). The steps ensured that I could check each stage and return at any time to change or amend anything. Also thanks to those who answered the phone and reassured me that my messages would be passed on. A very positive experience and I have already recommended this service to others in a similar position to me. An excellent service. Mary Mc
I am so glad I found this online company. I was a bit sceptical at first but as the cost of using a solicitor was fairly considerable I decided to opt for this. I am glad I did. The Probate Platform was easy to use and on the odd occasion that I had a query the telephone support was great. I have just been informed by HMCTS that the application has been approved. I have no hesitation in recommending this company.
Very good takes you through all steps. Don’t need solicitors
System was priced sensibly and easy to use
Superb, easy to follow instructions where data and calculations are generated for you once required fields are inputed. Advise was available quickly , in my case one concise call to Tom( many thanks). The grant of probate was approved by email in one week with no IHT. The formal paperwork takes a further ten days. 5* David
Throughout the process, every time we were unsure of something a representative (Tom) of Youcando Probate was at the end of the phone and could not have been more helpful. The whole process was easy and quick to complete.
Highly recommend this company. The intuitive software is easy to use and the friendly and professional telephone support is excellent. On the advise of the team I posted off my documents as I had considered using the government online form assuming it may be quicker! However Probate was granted in 15 days from when I posted my documents. Thank you to all the team at You Can Do Probate for making a stressful and emotional task much easier to navigate without the need of expensive solicitors! Nb The only improvement that I feel would be beneficial is the function to print the breakdown of all the values and calculations
This was money well spent made life so much easier and prevented any time being wasted by not sending all relevant documents and having to re submit.
Couldn’t fault these guys. Easy to navigate through the site and they were on hand to speak to when needed. No need to use a solicitor which made a refreshing change. A difficult time was made so much easier. Don’t use anyone else, these are the people to use when having to deal with probate.
Made probate very easy
Makes doing probate yourself possible, saving a lot of money on legal fees and considerably speeding up the process!
AFFORDABLE FIXED PRICE
Forms filled in for you
No expertise needed
Unlimited UK support
One time payment
£499
including VAT
Get started in 3 simple steps
Back Guarantee
T&Cs apply.
Monday to Saturday; 9am - 6pm
Trusted & Secure
