Grant of Probate Documents

Before a person is able to deal with a deceased person’s assets, they will need to obtain the legal authority to act. This authority is known as grant of probate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, this is called a grant of confirmation. A grant of probate confirms the authority of executor to administer the estate of someone who has died.

If the estate is worth less than £10,000, or if the deceased person owned everything jointly with another person, a grant of probate may not be needed. However, it is best to confirm with each institution (banks, investment brokers, etc.) whether you need a grant of probate to distribute the deceased’s estate.

A Notary can notarise both the original and a copy of the grant of probate, but you will need to provide the notary with the original.