DIY Grant of probate

[Ndiddy]

Hi, can an executor apply for a grant of probate themselves or do you have to use a solicitor? Thanks

 

[ClubMan]

Anything useful here?

site:askaboutmoney.com diy probate - Google Search

 

[Conan]

You don't have to use a solicitor. If you contact the Probate Office, they will help you through the process (assuming it's a straightforward case).

 

[Salvadore]

If the will is relatively straightforward, it’s easily done. Administratively bothersome perhaps but not unreasonably so.

 

[homer911]

The probate fees are double for a personal application than by a solicitor - not really an issue for small estates but worth bearing in mind

 

[mathepac]

Does this seem a reasonable fee for Extracting Probate, Tax returns etc?

Myself and my sister are joint executors of my recently deceased aunts will. She has left everything to me and my 2 sisters, excluding some small monetary gifts to friends and family. Her estate consists of a house valued around 550k and roughly 100k in bank accounts. After meeting with her...

www.askaboutmoney.com

@homer911 above is a quotation from a solicitor's communication for extracting the grant of probate on behalf of a client. I doubt very much if the probate office would charge >€5.5k!!!

 

[DirectDevil]

What the Probate Office charges you is stamp duty based on the size of the estate.
A solicitor will charge you a professional fee and V.A.T. as well as outlays for the application for the Grant of Probate.
Additionally, you pay the relevant stamp duty.

My understanding is that of homer911 at #5 above i.e. there is a higher stamp duty on personal probate applications.
I think this is because personal applications require closer scrutiny by the Probate Office where they are dealing with "civilians" !

I believe that the Probate Office can direct a personal applicant at any time to discontinue the application and to instruct a solicitor instead.

 

[S class]

I believe that the Probate Office can direct a personal applicant at any time to discontinue the application and to instruct a solicitor instead.

The Probate office will send back the application forms if there are any mistakes. They include a checklist highlighting the errors.
They don't offer legal advice about correcting the errors.

When we did DIY probate the forms were returned 3 times.
The errors were relatively easy to correct.
This level of mistakes did not cause any problems with the Probate office.

If a person starts to pester the Probate office with legal questions, it might cause the person to be told to get a solicitor to continue their application.