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Wills and intestacy

What is a Will, and Why Does it Matter for Probate?

A Will is a legal document in which a person sets out their wishes for how their estate should be managed and distributed after their death. It names the executor(s) responsible for carrying out those wishes and identifies who should receive what.

What makes a Will valid?

  • It must be in writing
  • It must be signed by the person making the Will in the presence of two independent witnesses, both present at the same time
  • Both witnesses must sign in the presence of the testator

The witnesses must be independent. A beneficiary (or their spouse or civil partner) cannot validly witness the Will without risking their gift.

Why does it matter for probate?

With a valid Will, an executor applies for a Grant of Probate and distributes the estate in accordance with the Will’s instructions. Without a valid Will, the estate is intestate, a relative applies for Letters of Administration, and the estate is distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy, which may not reflect the deceased’s wishes.

Finding the original Will

The original Will (not a copy) must be submitted to the Probate Registry. Check the deceased’s home, contact their solicitor, search the National Will Register (Certainty.co.uk), and check whether the Will was deposited with the Probate Service. YouCanDoProbate handles probate both with and without a Will.

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Exceptional company. Made the whole process incredibly easy for me and I had to ask multiple questions at which time there was always someone approachable to ask. I would not hesitate to recommend. Very professional easy to use platform. Cannot thank them enough for their help.

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This is an excellent service which is…

This is an excellent service which is very good value for money and lives up to its name – yes, you can do probate yourself if you use this platform. In particular, being able to call up and put your questions to an expert, without having to worry about increasing the cost, is a godsend and I wouldn’t have managed without it (thank you Tom!). The process is still time consuming and it isn’t easy, but this service makes it possible and way more affordable than using a solicitor.

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As it says

As it says; “You can do Probate” all be it with a little help from the team who are really great. I had my doubts initially but I have managed to complete all of the forms and get my application in for my Mothers estate, and I am in my 70S. It was interesting that funeral expenses are an expense rather than a liability but I suppose if we think about it, it is. Many thanks to the team. I can just wait and see how long it takes to get it from here.

Graham Trim
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The dedication and professionalism of Tom and the team was TRULY outstanding. If I as a 70 something and barely computer literate can do it with their help, then anyone can. Outstanding, brilliant service and amazing value.

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This was a god send to me, made it all so simple and the support you receive if you have any questions or get stuck is amazing.

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Doing probate is pretty complicated and…

Doing probate is pretty complicated and I found YCDProbate simplified the procedure. Moreover, if you follow the process right through (take your time!) you can be very confident you have not missed anything of importance. Now here’s the best part: if you have questions, they really will be answered within 24-48 hours, and answered well. Go for it.

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At such a difficult and upsetting time, the process was straightforward and clear. The help and responses I received when I raised a couple of queries was excellent. Prompt, patient and supportive.

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Additional costs: The probate registry fee of £526 (for all estates over £5,000) and any additional official copies at £2 each. (Payable directly to HM Courts and Tribunals Service by cheque or postal order, enclosed with your application forms).
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© YouCanDoProbate • YouCanDoProbate is a trading name of Kabing Ltd.
YouCanDoProbate is an online platform providing legal forms and information. YouCanDoProbate is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Our online probate and inheritance tax service is an online platform providing probate and inheritance tax forms and information to allow you to complete inheritance tax returns and apply for probate yourself. Our telephone, email and livechat support provides guidance only, we do not provide bespoke advice, including estate planning or tax advice and it is not a substitute for a lawyer’s advice about complex estate planning or tax issues.
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