We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
Find out if you need to apply for probate to deal with the estate of someone who’s died. Discover how to apply for probate or letters of administration and what to do if there’s no will.
Probate is the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money and…
You can apply for probate if you’re named as an executor in either the…
If the person did not leave a will, the most ‘entitled’ person can apply…
Before applying for probate you’ll need to complete the following steps.…
You may have to pay a fee to apply for probate. Whether you need to pay…
You can apply for probate yourself online or by post. This can be cheaper…
Your application will be reviewed by the Probate Service. Track your…
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is paid when a person's estate is worth more than £325,000 when they die - exemptions, passing on property. Sometimes known as death duties.
Inheritance Tax is a tax on the estate (the property, money and…
You can pass a home to your husband, wife or civil partner when you die.…
Inheritance Tax may have to be paid after your death on some gifts you’ve…
If you’re based abroad, Inheritance Tax is only paid on your UK assets,…
Apply for probate or confirmation if there's Inheritance Tax to pay, or if the deceased's estate does not qualify as an 'excepted estate'.
Value the estate of someone who's died so that you can get probate: work out if tax is due, check how to report the estate's value, complete the correct form.
Find out who is entitled to a share of someone’s property, possessions and money if they die without making a will
If you already have the right or have probate (as an executor or administrator) you can start dealing with the estate. You may need to apply for the right to deal with the estate of the person who's died (also called …
How to make a will: making sure it's valid, using a solicitor and changing it when your circumstances change
Use this form to apply for letters of administration to manage the estate of the person who has died if they have not left a will.
How to pay Inheritance Tax: get a reference number, payment methods, use the deceased's bank account, National Savings and Investments, government stock, yearly instalments.
Use the IHT403 with form IHT400 if the deceased had given away or 'transferred' any assets, such as cash, property or land.
A trust is a way of managing assets (money, investments, land or buildings) for people - types of trust, how they are taxed, where to get help.
Executors and administrators can use this form to give up their legal responsibility and role permanently (also known as ‘renunciation’) to apply for probate.
When you have to pay Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Stamp Duty or Inheritance Tax on money, shares or property you inherit
Changing an inheritance after death (a 'variation') and how it can affect amounts of Inheritance and Capital Gains tax due
Use the IHT406 with form IHT400 to give details of any National Savings and Investments, Premium Bonds, bank or building society accounts that the deceased held in their sole name that were in credit at the date of death.
Use the IHT402 with form IHT400 to transfer any unused nil rate band from the deceased spouse or civil partner to the deceased's estate.
Use the print and post form (IHT205) if the person died on or after 6 April 2011, and on or before 31 December 2021, and the estate is unlikely to pay Inheritance Tax.
Use forms C1 and C2 to apply for confirmation if the person who died lived in Scotland.
How to get Inheritance Tax relief on business assets in an estate, what qualifies, giving away business property or assets
Use this form with IHT400 if the deceased received or had made arrangements to get a pension other than the State Pension.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab and requires JavaScript).