What Happens After the Grant of Probate is Issued?

Receiving the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is the point at which you gain the legal authority to deal with the estate.

Order additional sealed copies

Each official sealed copy costs £2. Order enough to contact multiple organisations simultaneously. One per bank, one for the Land Registry if property is involved, and one for each investment platform.

Collect in the estate assets

Present the Grant (or a sealed copy) to each institution. They will release funds or confirm requirements for transferring property. Open an estate account to receive all incoming funds.

Place a Statutory Notice for Creditors

Place a notice in The Gazette under the Trustee Act 1925. This gives unknown creditors two months to come forward. Once the period passes and the estate is distributed, you are protected from future claims.

Pay all debts, taxes, and expenses

Settle all outstanding debts and liabilities from the estate before distributing. Obtain formal HMRC tax clearance where relevant.

Distribute the estate and draw up accounts

Distribute in accordance with the Will or the Rules of Intestacy. Obtain receipts. Draw up a final set of estate accounts showing all assets collected, payments made, and distributions to beneficiaries.