Applying for probate: eligibility and inheritance tax checks

What is probate

Probate is the legal process of dealing with a deceased person’s estate. The UK Government provides guidance on applying for probate.

Before you apply

Before applying for probate, you must find out if you need to pay Inheritance Tax. You also need to confirm that you’re eligible to apply.

Your application will be reviewed by the Probate Service after you submit it.

Additional considerations

If you ordered copies of your probate document for use outside the UK, these will take longer to arrive than your UK copy.

In some cases, you might need to check if you need to apply to stay in the UK. If your right to live in the UK depends on your relationship with someone who died, you might need to apply for a new visa.

This guidance is especially relevant if your partner who died served as a member of HM Forces.