Consider doing probate myself - IHT form query.

AP3

Hi All,

I recently lost my wife, and I'm considering whether to apply for probate myself or use a solicitor.

I am the executor and sole beneficiary, so there is no IHT to pay (confirmed by the IHT checker).

We own our own home outright. She had ~£120k in savings, and ~£150k in a SIPP.

I'm a little confused about section 7.2, which ask which, if any, form I submitted to HMRC.

My question is, is there a form I would need to complete and sent to HMRC prior to applying for probate, or can I just tick "I did not have to submit any forms to HMRC".

Many Thanks.

Keep_pedalling

No, if you don’t need to complete an IHT return there are no other forms that need to be submitted to HMRC.

The SIPP does not form part of her estate, so you don’t need to include that in your calculations. I would not engage a solicitor, they only add costs and delay. Probate is fairly straight forward, but if you get stuck you will get plenty of help from this board.

AP3

Keep_pedalling said:

No, if you don’t need to complete an IHT return there are no other forms that need to be submitted to HMRC.

The SIPP does not form part of her estate, so you don’t need to include that in your calculations. I would not engage a solicitor, they only add costs and delay. Probate is fairly straight forward, but if you get stuck you will get plenty of help from this board.

Many thanks - looks like it should be easy then, and I can save a couple of thousand pounds!

Just to clarify - I just need to complete form PA1P, and I'll get probate? 

Keep_pedalling

Yes and you can do it on line.

https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/apply-for-probate

RAS

Probate on line seems to be a lot quicker. Part of this is because the on-line process is designed for straight forward cases, so the more complex ones are going to be paper based. Which means that the percentage that require additional information is higher in paper based applications. 

If you've got a will, on-line will often be processed in 1-3 weeks. Treble that for paper applications. Give it a go, particularly as you're not paying IHT.

AP3

Thanks for your help both. I've submitted the probate application online and will post off the will with the cover sheet.

AP3

Sorry one more question. Once I completed the application it just said to sent them the will, and I'm just back from the post office having sent it off.

I'm now wondering if I should have included a death certificate. They didn't ask me to?

Heliocentric

I included it but maybe give them a call on Monday. I also did probate myself.

kipsterno1

Just send what was asked for. I think the systems are linked up now and they can access death certificates electronically.