What is a grant of probate?

A grant of probate is the legal document that an executor of a will uses as proof of their right to manage the financial and legal affairs of the deceased person. Banks, financial institutions and other bodies will often request to see a sealed copy of a grant of probate before they will allow an executor to access accounts. This is particularly the case with accounts that contain significant funds. Different institutions set different thresholds at which a grant of probate is required. In some cases, this might be as low as £5,000. If someone dies without a will, the person who is sorting out their estate will then need to apply for letters of administration instead. This functions in much the same way as a grant of probate.

How many copies of a grant of probate are required?

There is no set number of copies that you will usually require. In each case, much will depend on the complexity of the estate and the number of different institutions the executor needs to deal with. Usually, you will need at least three or four copies at hand, and in some cases, it may be helpful to have six sealed copies of the grant of probate to assist in settling the estate. This enables the executor to forward copies to a number of different organisations at the same time while retaining at least one copy at home.

How do you get copies of a grant of probate?

When you make your initial application for a grant of probate you can request to be sent multiple copies. If you have already completed your application and realise that you need more copies, it’s still possible to receive extra copies.

How do I get a copy of a grant of probate?