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On or after 1st March 2025
On or before 28th February 2025
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Going it alone or YouCanDoProbate?

How we compare against applying on your own.

The same forms either way. The difference is knowing which ones you need and how to complete them.

The reality

If you are thinking of going it alone these are the realities most people only discover when they start on their own

Most people who attempt probate alone do not know what they do not know until something goes wrong. These are the issues people wish someone had told them about before they started.
Which forms do you actually need to apply
PA1P or PA1A for the probate application. IHT400 and stacks of supplementary schedules when inheritance tax forms are involved. Identifying the wrong forms delays your application significantly.
How to calculate the estate correctly
Every asset, every liability, every deduction, calculated at the right date in the right way. One error throws the entire estate calculation and can result in the application being returned.
Which exemptions apply to your estate
The Transferable Nil Rate Band and Residence Nil Rate Band can eliminate or significantly reduce an inheritance tax liability. Most people applying alone miss one or both and overpay as a result.
The documentation is difficult to understand
Even when you find the right instructions, they are written for professionals, not ordinary people. Dense, ambiguous and easily misread. A small misinterpretation at this stage can affect the whole application.
How do you know if you've done it correctly?
There is no built-in check and no one reviewing your work. If something is wrong you will only find out when the application is returned weeks later. By which point you may need to start that section again from scratch.
There's limited to no help available
If you have ever tried to contact HMCTS or HMRC you will know how difficult it is to get through, let alone get a useful answer. Official support for people applying alone is extremely limited.

Everything
done for you

YouCanDoProbate solves every one of those problems.

You still provide the estate information. The platform does everything else that going it alone would leave entirely up to you.
You don't need to know what forms you need
No working out which of the dozens of probate and inheritance tax forms your estate needs. The platform identifies them all automatically from your answers.
Calculates the whole estate automatically
Total assets, total liabilities, net estate value and any inheritance tax liability. All calculated automatically at the correct dates.
Applies every available exemption for you
You don't even need to know what exemptions can be used. Transferable and Residence Nil Rate Bands and every other available exemption, identified and applied so you do not overpay.
Completes every form for you ready to submit
Every form filled from your answers, accurately and compliantly. You never face a blank government form or wonder what goes in each box.
Everything correct and compliant
The platform will not generate your forms until every section is finished. Nothing can be left blank or incomplete. Your forms are generated only when everything is in place.
Unlimited support and guidance every step
Plain-English questions with built-in guidance, video instruction and unlimited support from our experts. You always know what is being asked and why.

The easiest way
to do it yourself

Applying for probate yourself is entirely possible, but YouCanDoProbate is the best way to do it.

There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to apply for probate. Thousands of people apply themselves every year. The challenge is not the concept. It is the execution.

Without guidance, without automatic calculations and without anyone checking your work, applying alone means carrying all the risk of getting it wrong. YouCanDoProbate removes that risk. You are still the executor. You are still the one making the application. The platform just makes sure it is done properly.

How we compare

Applying alone vs YouCanDoProbate.

Here is how the two routes compare on every measure that matters to someone applying for probate themselves.
Scroll right to see full table
How we compare
YouCanDoProbate
Doing it yourself
Cost
£499 fixed
Free forms
Step-by-step guidance
None provided
Forms completed for you
No, you complete them
Right forms chosen
Often confusing
Estate calculations done
Yours to work out
Inheritance tax worked out
Complex and risky
Exemptions applied correctly
Easy to miss
TNRB and RNRB handled
Often missed entirely
Risk of errors or rejection
Significantly reduced
Higher
Support if you get stuck
Unlimited expert support
Online forums and guesswork
Save progress anytime
Not applicable
Typical Grant timeline
3 to 6 weeks from posting
Variable, higher error risk
Scroll right to see full table
Still not sure about something? Call us on 0800 689 1447 · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm

We are always completely transparent

Sometimes applying yourself could be the wrong choice. For some estates solicitors are exactly right.

We will say this clearly before anything else. There are situations where a solicitor’s involvement is genuinely the right call and we would always recommend one if that is the case.
When you cannot use the platform
Domiciled outside of England or Wales
A surviving spouse domiciled outside of England or Wales
Contested probate or disputed Wills
The deceased made gifts with reservation of benefit.
You need to claim Business Asset Relief (on assets other than unquoted shares)
You need to claim Agricultural Relief
Heritage Assets Conditional Exemption
Assets held in trust for the deceased.
Still not sure about something? Call us on 0800 689 1447 · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
Trustpilot five star rating
You will not regret using YouCanDoProbate

I cannot say enough by way of thanks to this company. I was helped numerous times either by email or by booking a ‘call back’ and nothing seemed too much trouble. I could not have completed this application for probate without their assistance that’s for sure. What they say is so true – you have to supply a Solicitor with the information they need to complete the application so why not use YouCanDoProbate for a fraction of the Solicitor’s cost and do it yourself! All the information you supply is automatically put onto the application form so no writing involved. A massive thank you to Tom for all your help and patience!

Mrs L Whitfield
Trustpilot five star rating
An Excellant service

An Excellant service. I made good use of the advice given in the app which made the process simple and unbelievably it was granted by the HMCTS just four working days after it was delivered to them. Admittedly it was a relatively simple estate but definitely worth considering using this app rather than very expensive solicitors.

Garry Brisdion
Trustpilot five star rating
As someone who is experienced doing tax…

As someone who is experienced doing tax returns, I was determined to try and do probate without handing everything over to a solicitor. The probate government site overloads you with information, uses jargon, and can sometimes be vague about whether something applies or not. The YouCanDoProbate site uses a different approach – it asks questions and then quickly works out which forms do (and critically which forms do not) apply. The support service was excellent – I had a crisis of confidence and they helped me through (thank you, Tom). This is not an easy option though – you are still doing all the work with the figures, but YCDP can help you navigate the system and keep you on track.

Liz Long
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
Trustpilot five star rating
Couldn’t fault these guys.

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.

Richard Knight
Trustpilot five star rating
Terrified about probate, worry not!

I was terrified about tackling Probate on my own, but the Bereavement Association recommended YouCanDoProbate. First I phoned up for some advice and without even buying the programme, got first rate advice. It was easy to use, the information was clear and written in plain English, no legal jargon. Whenever I phoned the helpline I was greeted by a friendly voice, no call centre, and the information and reassurance was excellent. I could not recommended this enough.

Karen
Trustpilot five star rating
If I can, then you can do probate

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

Mary M
Trustpilot five star rating
Excellent service received from You…

Excellent service received from You Can Do Probate. The staff were very helpful and friendly.

Lesley Sylvester
Trustpilot five star rating
When the solicitors quoted me £9,000 I…

When the solicitors quoted me £9,000 I decided to look for help elsewhere. I’m so glad I did as this company was brilliant and was a great help when I called them when I got a bit stuck with a question. Definitely highly recommend and this saved me a great deal of money.!

Pringo
Trustpilot five star rating
Why would you not use this excellent service

Very straightforward process which explained everything required to fill out the form. This coupled with excellent back up with regard to speaking to somebody if clarification was required & explained in simple terms. Very recommended and good value for money.

Mr Trevor Niblett
Trustpilot five star rating
Happy to recommend

I was quoted thousands to outsource the probate process. I thus thought whether I could do it myself. After doing some research it did seem possible. I came across the YCDP website and the rest is history. The process was easy to follow and help via messaging was super fast. It cost £500 (+£301 for HM Probate department) which was £££ less than the other options. If you feel your sources of potential inheritance are fairly clear then I am happy to recommend YCDP

Tanvir Khondaker
Trustpilot five star rating
Fantastic programme and support

Fantastic programme and support. I spoke to Adam a few times and he was extremely helpful. Applying for probate can be challenging despite having reasonable knowledge of the process. I did the probate for my late mother and once I had the codes from HMRC got the probate within 10 days. Best to do the probate process online rather than sending the paper forms. All you have to submit to the probate office is the original will. I would recommend this company highly as all the solicitors would do is to supply them with the relevant paperwork and charge a large sum for doing what I did in 2 hours.

Dr Mayur Shah
AFFORDABLE FIXED PRICE
Forms filled in for you
No expertise needed
Unlimited UK support
Save money, time and stress with YouCanDoProbate
One time payment

£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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