Apply for probate online or by post?

suedurnimm

I'm finally in a position where I can submit the PA1P and IHT205 forms for my mother's estate (relatively simple affairs - she was a widow with a mortgage free freehold property, 4 bank accounts and small number of shares in one company). So far, I have been using the paper versions of the forms as working copies before submitting but I'm sure I read on another thread that the online forms are quite different to the paper.  Please could anyone advise what the differences are and which method might be quicker? It has taken three months to obtain all of the information needed and I would like to make up for what I feel is lost time, if possible. If it makes any difference the HMRC site indicated my local probate court is Oxford. Any advice gratefully received.

Dox

Have a look and see whether it looks daunting - the layout may be different but the information required isn't: https://www.apply-for-probate.service.gov.uk/death-certificate?_ga=2.25553277.176420019.1595963905-1769819675.1576967089

Stubod

..did our last one online....easy peasy...

Robert_McGeddon

Reports on postal application timescales here.

AnAnonUser

I did my wifes all electronic, a few glitches but it came good and in the end i just had to post (IIRC) one page from the probate process (essentiallya reference to the online application)  and of course the original will. (make sure you have copies ! )

Took less than two weeks from posting, as you'll see from my previous posts,  but a different office to yours.

parcival

Yes, did mine online which generated a cover sheet that I had to send with the will to Harlow. 11 days from start to finish. If you send the will by Royal Mail please use Special Delivery rather than ordinary mail......