ProbateHelper.co.uk

Track Your Probate Progress

Keep track of your tasks and monitor your progress through the probate process.

Key Deadlines

Enter the date of death to see the statutory deadlines for England and Wales.

Date of death

Your Probate Progress

0 of 60 tasks completed (0%)

Register Death

☐ Obtain medical certificate from doctor
☐ Gather necessary information about the deceased
☐ Book appointment with local register office
☐ Attend appointment and provide required information
☐ Obtain death certificate
☐ Get certificate for burial or cremation
☐ Notify relevant government departments using Tell Us Once service
☐ Inform banks, utility companies, and other relevant organizations
☐ Order multiple copies of the death certificate
☐ Cancel or redirect mail if necessary
☐ Begin to close or freeze accounts (credit cards, subscriptions, etc.)

Value Estate

☐ Make a list of all assets and property
☐ Obtain professional valuations for high-value items
☐ Gather recent bank statements and investment portfolios
☐ Value any businesses or shares owned by the deceased
☐ Estimate the value of household contents and personal belongings
☐ Calculate total value of the estate
☐ List all debts and liabilities
☐ Determine if Inheritance Tax is due
☐ Prepare a detailed inventory of the estate
☐ Check for and value any digital assets (cryptocurrencies, online accounts)
☐ Identify and value any intellectual property
☐ Check for any gifts made by the deceased in the seven years before death

Apply for Probate

☐ Determine if probate is necessary
☐ Obtain the original will (if applicable)
☐ Complete probate application form PA1
☐ Complete Inheritance Tax form IHT400 or IHT205
☐ Pay the probate application fee
☐ Send application to Probate Registry
☐ Swear an oath at local Probate Office or solicitor's office
☐ Receive Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
☐ Gather all necessary documents for the probate application
☐ Review the will for any specific instructions or complexities
☐ Consult with a solicitor if the estate is complex or high-value

Pay Inheritance Tax

☐ Determine if Inheritance Tax is due
☐ Complete Inheritance Tax forms (IHT400 or IHT205)
☐ Calculate Inheritance Tax due
☐ Arrange payment of Inheritance Tax to HMRC
☐ Apply for any available reliefs or exemptions
☐ Submit Inheritance Tax forms to HMRC
☐ Obtain receipt from HMRC
☐ Keep detailed records of all tax-related transactions
☐ Consider installment options for paying Inheritance Tax
☐ Check for any foreign assets that may be subject to overseas tax
☐ Claim any transferable nil-rate band from a deceased spouse

Distribute Estate

☐ Gather all estate assets
☐ Open an executor's bank account if necessary
☐ Pay off any debts and liabilities
☐ Settle any income tax or capital gains tax liabilities
☐ Prepare final accounts for the estate
☐ Distribute specific legacies mentioned in the will
☐ Calculate residuary estate and shares for beneficiaries
☐ Distribute assets to beneficiaries
☐ Obtain receipts from beneficiaries
☐ Close the executor's bank account
☐ Prepare final estate accounts for beneficiaries
☐ Handle any challenges to the will or disputes among beneficiaries
☐ Prepare a deed of variation if beneficiaries wish to redirect their inheritance
☐ File final tax return for the deceased
☐ Keep detailed records of all distributions for future reference