A new digital service launched by HM Courts and Tribunals now allows executors of an estate in England and Wales to apply for probate online.

Executors will be able to submit certain details online in order to obtain a grant of probate, although paper copies of the will and death certificate still need to be submitted.

There are some limitations to the service, which is only available to personal applicants if:

• only one executor is applying,
• the original will is available and it was not updated by the deceased,
• the deceased classed England and Wales as their permanent residence or had the intention to return to England and Wales to live permanently.

The advantages of the online service are:

• A statement of truth declaring that all information provided is correct, removing the need to swear an oath in person.
• The facility to pay fees online, removing the need to send a cheque to the Probate Service
• A ‘save and return’ function allowing users to leave their application part way through and revisit it at a later time.

Later this year, the online application service will be extended to solicitors and other professionals.

Applying for probate

If you are named as the executor of a will in England and Wales, you will need to apply for a grant of probate to establish your authority to manage the estate, which involves submitting an application to the Probate Office.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• An original copy of the will and two photocopies.
• A death certificate.
• Completed Inheritance Tax forms and information.
• Any other documents relevant to supporting the case, such as a renunciation form.

Get in touch

If you need help, we can advise you on acting as an executor. Give one of our advisers a call on 01483 205890.