In England and Wales
The Probate Service is the part of the Family Division of the High Court in England and Wales that deals with wills.
A grant of probate is a document from the Family Division of the High Court which confirms that your will is valid and that your estate can be distributed in accordance with the terms of your Last will and testament.
Once your executors have received the grant of probate they can:
- collect in your assets
- pay off your liabilities
- distribute the legacies to your beneficiaries (which may include themselves)
For more information, read Probate. You can also use Rocket Lawyer's Probate service from £600+VAT.
In Scotland
The Commissary Department of the Sheriff Court deals with wills in Scotland. Where a person has died, the executor(s) must apply to the Commissary Department of the Sheriff Court in the area in which the deceased lived at the time of death to obtain a grant of confirmation.
A grant of confirmation is the Scottish equivalent to a grant of probate. The grant of confirmation is a document that enables the executor(s) to hold and administer any money or other property belonging to the deceased according to the law or their Last will and testament.
Once the executors have received the grant of confirmation they can:
For more information, read Confirmation in Scotland.