Probate: should you use a professional service or do it yourself?

Understand the costs and benefits of choosing a professional probate provider vs doing it yourself

Updated 15 Jul 2025

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Introduction

Coping with probate while dealing with bereavement and all the other admin after someone dies can feel overwhelming. 

Before you start, there is an important decision to make: can you do probate yourself, or should you use a professional probate specialist? You might assume that DIY will save money, while using a professional could save time and offer some peace of mind. But there are other factors to consider. 

Our comprehensive guide will help you understand the implications of choosing a professional probate service vs doing it yourself. We weigh the benefits and risks to help you make an informed decision based on your own individual situation.

Understanding probate

Probate is the legal procedure of sorting out all the money, property and possessions of someone who’s died. Getting probate means applying for a legal document which gives you the authority to deal with the person’s estate (everything they owned plus any debts and liabilities).

The legal document is called a Grant of Probate (if there is a valid will) or Letters of Administration (if the person died without a will). Generally, getting probate involves:

  • gathering and valuing assets (everything they owned)

  • applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration (filling out and submitting the probate forms to the court)

  • paying any outstanding bills, debts, and taxes

  • sharing out what’s left of the estate to the beneficiaries.

You don’t always need to get probate if the person didn’t own very much. You typically need a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration if they owned property or held more than a few thousand pounds in a bank account – different banks have different thresholds

DIY probate: when can it work?

There are some benefits of managing probate without using a professional service.

  • There are no legal fees to pay, so it can save money.

  • You may prefer the feeling of being in control of the whole process.

  • You may feel that personally managing a friend or relative’s affairs is a final act of service. It might bring a feeling of satisfaction or closure.

DIY probate can be a good choice for small and straightforward estates if you are comfortable with the forms and admin involved. Many websites offer step-by-step guides to help you work out how to do probate yourself.

Case study

Sarah’s mother died and left a clear and simple will leaving everything to Sarah and her brother. She didn’t own any property, and kept minimal possessions in her small rented flat. Her only income was her state pension. Her day-to-day spending money was in a current account, and she had additional savings in a building society.  

Sarah was used to dealing with admin in her job, and had spare time. She decided to manage her mother’s probate herself. She used information she found online to work out what steps she needed to take.

Sarah worked out that there was no inheritance tax to pay, but her mother had more than the threshold amount in savings as set out by her bank and building society. So Sarah had to apply for probate with the probate registry. She filled in all the paperwork, and was awarded a grant of probate after 16 weeks. The bank and building society released the funds and Sarah shared out the money between herself and her brother.

Risks and pitfalls of DIY probate

DIY probate can be a good choice in simple cases. But sometimes it can lead to problems – it’s not uncommon for people to start off managing probate themselves, but eventually seek legal advice. If you’re considering taking on probate yourself, the main categories of risk to consider are:

  • Potential for legal mistakes, fines and disputes

  • Executor's personal liability

  • Time, emotional strain and family relationships

 Potential for legal mistakes, fines and disputes

Common mistakes and problems that can come up managing probate include the following.

  • Legal errors: Misinterpreting legal language, such as failing to understand what the will means, can lead to disputes and delays.

  • Valuation errors: Not correctly valuing the estate, or failing to locate all assets, debts and liabilities accurately can lead to incorrect tax payments and disputes.

  • Tax mistakes: Incorrectly completing inheritance tax or other tax forms (Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, etc) can result in penalties and delays.

There are some other issues and complications that can make probate difficult and lead to mistakes. These can’t always be predicted at the start of the process.

  • There are doubts about the will – is it valid, is it the most recent version?

  • Some dependants have been left out of the will, and might make a claim.

  • Some of the assets are held in a complex trust.

  • The person died without a will (intestate) and it’s difficult to work out who should inherit.

  • The estate is bankrupt or insolvent, ie the person’s debts and liabilities are more than their assets.

  • There are difficult family relationships, causing tension or disputes.

  • The person who died lived outside the UK for tax purposes, or owned property abroad.

Executor's personal liability

The person who deals with the estate after someone dies is known as the executor (if there wasn’t a will the person carrying out the role is called an administrator). As an executor you take on a position with administrative, legal, and tax responsibilities. You are legally responsible for meeting all legitimate claims, including taxes. 

If you act wrongly, even accidentally, you could be personally liable to pay compensation to the beneficiaries from your own pocket. Using a solicitor or other probate professional to manage probate can reduce this risk.

Time, emotional strain and family relationships

Probate is a time-consuming task, often taking many months or even years. Working through the admin also takes time and concentration. Balancing executor duties while grieving can be really difficult. 

The strain of probate can also lead to family disputes. Sometimes there are difficult decisions to make. There may be delays, debts to deal with, or less money in the estate than was expected. It can be easy for people to feel frustrated with the executor, who is often a close family member or friend of the person who died. Family disagreements are sadly common and can even destroy relationships.

Using a professional solicitor or probate specialist can help. As an independent and neutral expert, they help manage the process objectively, reducing the influence of personal relationships and family dynamics. 

Case Study

Maria took on the role of executor for her father's estate. At first, she thought the process would be straightforward. However, her father had not written a will before he died. This meant the estate had to be distributed according to intestacy rules, which can be complicated. 

The estate included a family home, multiple bank accounts, and an investment portfolio that had recently decreased in value. Maria also discovered a small property her father owned abroad, which added an unexpected layer of legal and tax complexity. 

Maria found it difficult to work out the value of everything her father owned, especially those assets held abroad. She wasn’t sure about how to work out the inheritance tax liability. The paperwork became daunting and time-consuming, and Maria also found it harder than expected to cope with the grief of losing a parent.

Then a significant family challenge arose. Maria’s brother felt he should be entitled to a greater share of the estate. This caused a lot of emotional strain and Maria faced the possibility of a legal challenge. 

Maria realised that the money she had initially saved by not hiring a solicitor could quickly be offset by any financial penalties for incorrect tax returns. There was also a potential need for legal intervention to resolve the dispute with her brother. She decided to get professional advice to avoid further complications.

The value of professional probate services

Engaging a probate specialist can offer significant advantages.

  • Expertise: Professionals, such as solicitors, are experts in probate law. They understand the legal system, minimising the risk of errors and avoidable delays.

  • Reducing time and stress: A professional who deals with probate every day can streamline the process, managing paperwork, deadlines, and communications efficiently. This can save you time and stress at a time when you may be grieving and supporting your family.

  • Handling complex estates: Specialists have the expertise to deal with complex estates, including those involving trusts, foreign assets, or potential for disputes. They can identify tax planning opportunities that an inexperienced executor might miss.

  • Reduced personal liability: Using a regulated professional reduces your personal liability as an executor, making sure all laws and tax requirements are met.

  • Regulation and protection: Reputable solicitors and other probate personnel are regulated by professional bodies (such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)). They are required to hold professional indemnity insurance, offering additional protection for executors and beneficiaries.

  • Independence: A professional is an independent third party, which reduces the risk of misunderstandings within the family or between everyone who will inherit.

Case study

David was an executor for his Aunt's estate, which was considerable and highly complicated. It included multiple properties, some held in a trust, and significant investments. His aunt had lived outside the UK for tax purposes, and David realised the estate was likely to exceed the inheritance tax threshold, requiring complex tax calculations. 

David was busy with his own career and coping with grief. He recognised that he lacked the specialised legal and tax knowledge required to handle his Aunt’s estate correctly. He decided to hire a specialist probate solicitor. 

The solicitor competently managed all aspects, from identifying and valuing diverse assets to settling complex debts and taxes including inheritance tax. They also provided peace of mind by ensuring all legal requirements were met. The solicitor communicated clearly with the different beneficiaries, which helped prevent some potential disputes. 

While there was a cost for the professional services, David found that the solicitor's expertise, time efficiency, and ability to navigate complex legal and tax issues proved a wise investment.

Cost considerations

Whether you manage probate yourself, or use a professional, there will be some costs involved.

DIY probate costs

When you handle probate yourself, the primary cost is the probate application fee, which is currently £300 in England and Wales. These fees don't apply for estates worth less than £5,000. 

You'll incur extra charges for costs such as notices to creditors, valuation fees for property/shares, estate agent fees, and conveyancing fees. Some of these costs (or ‘disbursements’) may also have VAT added.

If things go wrong, there may also be penalties for errors or unforeseen legal challenges that could increase overall costs.

Professional probate costs

The cost of using a probate solicitor or other professional can vary widely.

  • Charging Methods: Professionals may charge an hourly rate, a percentage of the estate's value, or a fixed fee.

  • Grant of probate only service: Many firms offer a "grant of probate only" service, where they handle the legal formalities of obtaining the grant, leaving you to manage the estate administration. This can be a cost-effective option, typically ranging from £500 to £5,000.

  • Full estate administration: If you opt for the professional to handle the entire process, costs range from £1,500 to £15,000, but can be even higher sometimes depending on the circumstances.

  • Other costs: Beyond the firm's fees, you'll incur extra charges for costs such as court fees, notices to creditors, valuation fees for property/shares, estate agent fees, and conveyancing fees. 

For more information on probate costs, read our article a complete breakdown of probate costs. Many probate professionals now offer fixed fee services, which can be a good way to be clear on prices from the outset.

Making your decision

The final decision depends on your comfort level, how complicated the estate is, and your available time. Following these steps may help you decide.

  1. How complicated is the estate? If the estate is straightforward with few assets, no significant debts, and the person wrote a clear will, DIY probate might be manageable. On the other hand, professional help is highly recommended or essential if there is a large amount of money and valuable assets involved, property in the UK or abroad, trusts, significant inheritance tax due, or potential disputes among beneficiaries.

  2. Think about your comfort with admin and legal processes: If you are confident in understanding legal documents and procedures, DIY is an alternative. However, if legal jargon feels overwhelming, or you're concerned about making mistakes, a professional can provide peace of mind. 

  3. Consider your time and stress levels: How much time you have available will also be something to consider. Managing probate can be stressful as well as time consuming, so think about your other responsibilities, and how much energy and attention you have spare.

  4. Get advice: Many firms offer a free call or consultation to talk about your specific situation and provide guidance. This can be a valuable first step in understanding your options and potential costs.

If you decide you need a professional service, our article How to decide on the right private provider may help.

Frequently asked questions about DIY probate

Do I need a solicitor for probate or can I do it myself? 

You can complete probate yourself in the UK, especially for smaller, straightforward estates. Using a professional service can be a better and more cost effective choice if the estate is complex, involves inheritance tax, has foreign assets, or if there are potential disputes or doubts about the will.

Is it better to do probate yourself?

It depends on the estate's complexity. For small, straightforward estates with a clear will and no disputes, DIY probate can sometimes save you money on fees. However, for complex estates, or if you're uncomfortable with legal processes, professional help can avoid costly mistakes and personal liability.

How much does probate cost if you do it yourself?

If you handle probate yourself, the primary cost is the probate application fee, which is currently £300 in England and Wales. Estates valued under £5,000 are exempt from this fee. There will be some extra charges for costs such as notices to creditors, valuation fees for property/shares, estate agent fees, and conveyancing fees. Also, bear in mind there may be additional costs if mistakes are made, or if you eventually need legal intervention.

Is probate quicker with a solicitor? 

The time it takes to get the grant of probate and the overall administration depends on how complicated the estate is. Solicitors can often streamline the process. They know the process well, and can manage paperwork and deadlines efficiently. This can potentially make administration faster and more accurate.

How long does it take to do probate yourself? 

The application for the grant of probate itself can take up to 12 weeks once submitted, or even longer for complicated cases. However, the entire process of administering an estate, including gathering assets and distributing them, can take months, and in complex cases, years. The exact duration depends heavily on the estate's complexity, such as whether it includes property to sell, multiple investments, or disputes.

Trustestate can help

Dealing with the admin after someone dies can be a challenging and overwhelming process. If you decide not to do it yourself, let Trustestate take out the hassle for a fixed transparent fee. We offer a simple, streamlined service with expert support at every stage. Book a free call with one of our experts to find out more. 

What we offer

Use our Probate and estate administration service and we’ll manage every stage of the process. We’ll take over all the admin, apply to the court for probate, and share out the estate. 

Or if the estate is simple, and you have time, you can use our Grant of Probate only service, and we’ll apply for probate using information you provide. 

Whichever service you choose, you’ll get dedicated advice every step of the way, and an online platform to keep track of everything.

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