The Complete Probate System for Executors in England and Wales
Written by a solicitor. Lifetime access. Exclusive price for MoneySavingExpert readers.
Written by a solicitor. Lifetime access. No solicitor’s bill.
Designed by a probate solicitor
Covers entire process from death to distribution
Highly Commended - Innovation of the Year, Probate Industry Awards 2026
Lifetime access
What Families Say
Real People, Real Estates
Every review below is from a family who has used our services in England or Wales. They’re real people with real views.
Kat Cave
What a brilliant system
“What a brilliant system, after seeing the DIY probate portal on MoneySavingExpert I opted to use the portal. I found it really simple to use and the portal guided me through the entire process. I have now applied for Probate and just waiting now for it to be granted. Thank you to the DIY probate portal.”
Mrs Gina Thorpe
I’ll be making use of it
“Having learnt of this online portal I took a look as this is likely required soon for family circumstances – currently managing parent finance & health with power of attorney – soon to look at funeral plans and aware probate will be required – so pleased to hear of this easy step guide.”
Most families pay thousands of pounds they did not need to spend
Solicitors typically charge between 1% and 5% of the estate’s value to handle probate. On a £300,000 estate, that is between £3,000 and £15,000, for a process that, in most cases, an executor can manage themselves with the right guidance.
The guidance has not always existed in a form that is genuinely usable. Until now.
A structured, step-by-step probate system, built by a solicitor
This is not a template library or an information guide. It is a complete, structured probate system that mirrors the actual legal process, stage by stage, in the order it needs to happen.
Jane Morris-Rowlinson has guided families through probate for over two decades. She built this platform to give executors the same structured process her clients receive, without the bill that comes with it.
The full probate journey
The full probate journey
From registering the death through to distributing the estate. Every stage is covered, in the right sequence. Nothing is left out, nothing is assumed.
Written by a probate solicitor
Written by a practising solicitor
Not a paralegal. Not a content team. Jane Morris-Rowlinson, qualified probate solicitor, 23 years in practice. Every section of the platform reflects how probate actually works, not how it is typically explained.
Built for simple estates
The system is designed for estates with a valid will, no contested claims, and no unusual asset structures. If your estate fits that description, you do not need a solicitor. You need this.
What You Actually Get
This isn’t a template library or a general guide. It’s a complete, structured system that mirrors the actual legal process, stage by stage, in the order it needs to happen.
Registering the death
Work through the steps for guidance and advice and keep on track with our downloadable checklist.
Locating & Validating the Will
Determine whether you're apply for Probate or Letters of Administration, what do to if executors are unwilling to act and learn about the rules of intestacy.
Notifying Organisations
Contacting banks, pensions and asset holders in the right order, so you're not waiting on one while another waits on you.
Valuing the estate
Understand how to value the estate with ready-made spreadsheets to accurately calculate Inheriatnce Tax (IHT).
Inheritance Tax position
Working out what's owed, and what isn't, with guidance built around HMRC's current thresholds and forms.
Applying for the Grant
Completing the application itself, once everything before it is in place, so it becomes the natural next step rather than a frightening starting point.
Administering the estate
Paying debts, closing accounts and distributing what remains, with progress tracking so you always know what's left to do.
What's inside the platform
- The full probate process from start to finish, structured in the order it must be completed
- Clear, plain-English explanations at every stage
- Downloadable letter templates for banks, HMRC, pension providers, utility companies, and more
- Asset and liability recording tools
- Inheritance tax guidance for straightforward estates
- Progress tracking so you always know where you are and what comes next
- Auto-save at every stage, so you can work at your own pace and pick up exactly where you left off
This is the exact platform you’ll use to complete probate.
One fixed price. No ongoing fees. No surprises.
A solicitor will charge between £1,500 and £15,000 to do what this platform guides you to do yourself. The comparable platform on the market, without solicitor authorship, charges £499. The DIY Probate Portal costs £199, and it was built by someone who has done this work for 23 years.
Lifetime access. Work at your own pace. Return to any stage at any time.
This system is right for your estate if:
- The estate includes property, bank accounts, or investments in the deceased's sole name
- If there is no will the process can used used to apply for Letters of Administration
- There are no contested claims or disputes between beneficiaries
- There are no complex trust structures or foreign assets
- You are dealing with an estate based in England or Wales
If your estate fits this description, you do not need a solicitor. The platform will take you through the entire process. If you are unsure, use our free probate checker before you register, or call us on 01858 451 042.
You can do this. And you do not have to do it alone.
Probate is not beyond you. It is a process, and like any process, it becomes manageable when you know the steps and the order to take them in. That is exactly what this platform gives you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do Probate myself in the UK?
Yes. In fact, many executors choose to handle probate themselves. Especially when the estate is relatively straightforward and there are no disputes between beneficiaries.
Probate is largely an administrative process. It involves gathering information about the deceased’s assets and liabilities, completing the relevant inheritance tax forms, and applying to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Probate.
The DIY Probate Platform was designed to guide you through this process step by step. It explains what needs to be done at each stage, provides templates and checklists, and helps you avoid common mistakes.
If you feel unsure at any point, professional support is available.
Can I claim the £199 back from the estate?
In most cases, yes. Reasonable costs of administering an estate are generally treated as a legitimate expense of the estate, in the same way a solicitor’s fee would be, and paid from the estate’s funds before the remainder is distributed.
Is DIY Probate difficult?
Probate can feel overwhelming at first, particularly if you have never dealt with estate administration before. Much of the difficulty comes from not knowing where to start or what order things should be done in.
With the right structure and guidance, most executors find the process manageable.
The DIY Probate Platform breaks probate down into clear stages and explains each task in plain English. It also provides templates, downloadable resources and practical guidance to help you complete each step confidently.
When do I need probate?
Probate is usually required when someone has died leaving assets that need to be formally administered by an executor.
You will typically need probate if the deceased owned property in their sole name. However, many banks require probate for saving over £5000. Funds in bank accounts or investments cannot be released without a Grant of Probate.
However, not every estate requires probate. Smaller estates or assets held jointly may pass automatically to the surviving owner.
If you are unsure whether probate is required, you can use our Probate Checker to find out.
What does the DIY Probate Platform include?
When you join the platform you receive access to a structured online portal designed to guide you through the probate process.
Inside the platform you will find:
Step by step guidance through the probate process
Clear explanations of inheritance tax requirements
Downloadable templates and letter templates
Spreadsheets for recording assets and liabilities
Checklists and progress tracking tools
Access to professional support if you need help
You simply work through each section at your own pace, completing tasks and marking them as complete as you go.
How much is access to the DIY Probate portal?
It’s £199.00 for lifetime access. There are no on-going subscriptions. That’s a significate saving, when compared with using a solicitor.
Many solicitors charge a percentage of the estate value for probate services, often between 1% and 5%.
For example, on a £300,000 estate this could mean legal fees of £3,000 to £15,000.
The DIY Probate Platform offers a fixed fee alternative, giving you the guidance, tools and templates you need to complete probate yourself while keeping costs under control.
What if I get stuck or need help?
Although the platform is designed to be easy to follow, probate can sometimes raise questions depending on the circumstances of the estate.
If you need reassurance or guidance, you can book a call with one of our probate specialists. We can help you understand what to do next and ensure you are moving forward with confidence.
If the estate turns out to be more complex than expected, you can also upgrade to our full probate administration service.
Free Guidance
Essential Guides to Planning Your Affairs
Our guides are designed to help you get the information you need. Each one has been written by either Phil Izzard or Jane Morris-Rowlinson. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, call us.
The Probate Fee Increase: What It Means for You and Your Family
From 13 July 2026, the probate application fee in England and Wales rises from £300 to £526, a 75% increase confirmed by the Ministry of Justice. Here’s what the change means for your estate, and what I’d genuinely recommend doing before the deadline.
What Happens to a Bank Account When Someone Dies in England and Wales?
A frozen bank account is usually the first wall families hit after a death. Here’s exactly what each bank will and won’t release, and when you actually need a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
Do I Need a Solicitor For Probate?
There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor for probate in England and Wales. Most families who paid thousands of pounds for one did not need to. Here is how to know which situation you are in
Ready to Start?
You have the legal right to apply for probate yourself. What you need is the structure to do it properly, in the right order.
