Who it's for
- Executors and administrators dealing with an estate in England or Wales
- Family members helping an executor keep track
- Complex, insolvent or disputed estates need professional advice
What's included
- Estate details summary
- Stage 1 — immediately after death (days 1–7)
- Stage 2 — gathering information (weeks 1–6)
- Stage 3 — inheritance tax (weeks 4–12)
- Stage 4 — applying for probate (weeks 6–16)
- Stage 5 — collecting assets and paying debts (weeks 12–30)
- Stage 6 — final administration and distribution (months 9–18)
- Schedule A — asset register; Schedule B — liabilities register
Key points covered
- Register the death within 5 days in England and Wales
- Pay any IHT due before the grant of probate; excepted estates give values in the probate application
- Consider a deceased estates notice in The Gazette before distributing
- Notes the April 2027 change bringing pensions into the IHT estate
- Keep estate records for at least 12 years
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Read the guide
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Questions
Does it cover Scotland?
No. Scotland uses confirmation rather than probate. This checklist is for England and Wales.
Do I need to pay inheritance tax before probate?
If IHT is due, it is normally paid before the grant is issued. The checklist covers IHT400 and excepted estates.
How long does estate administration take?
The checklist's stages run from the first week to around 9–18 months, depending on the estate.
Can I renounce as executor?
Yes, if you have not yet intermeddled in the estate. The checklist flags this at Stage 1.
Executor's Checklist
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