Practical guidance from Simon Jenkins, Director at Curtis Legal.
Halifax is the only major UK bank with 7-day bereavement phone support. This guide explains the £50,000 threshold, required documents, and when you need probate for a deceased Halifax account.
Read more →Santander’s £50,000 threshold and transparent bereavement policy make it one of the clearer banks to deal with after a death — this guide covers every step, including Cahoot accounts.
Read more →NatWest’s £25,000 probate threshold is half the limit set by most major UK banks — find out exactly what documents you need and when probate is required for a deceased NatWest account.
Read more →How long does probate take with a will? Most straightforward estates complete in 6-12 months. Complex estates take 2-3 years. Definitive 2026 timescales, stage by stage, with key deadlines.
Read more →What is probate? The legal process of administering an estate after death — collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing to beneficiaries. Plain-English guide from Simon Jenkins.
Read more →Do you have to act as an executor if named in a will? No. You can accept, renounce, or reserve power. What each option means, what intermeddling is, and how to make the right decision.
Read more →How to apply for a Grant of Probate — which form to use, the £300 court fee, completing IHT400, signing the statement of truth, and what happens after submission. Full 2026 guide.
Read more →Where to store your will so your executors can find it after death. A will that cannot be found may as well not exist — 5 secure options, what each involves, and what to do if a will goes missing.
Read more →Learn how to track your probate application with HMCTS, what the 2026 processing timelines look like, why applications get delayed, and what to do if yours has stalled. Expert guidance from specialist solicitor Simon Jenkins.
Read more →Can executors sell property before probate to pay inheritance tax? This guide explains the HMRC Direct Payment Scheme, instalment option, and bridging finance — with advice from specialist probate solicitor Simon Jenkins.
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