---
title: "Probate checker"
description: "Answer two or three questions on property, joint assets and savings to see whether an estate is likely to need probate."
url: "https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/probate-checker/"
author: "Marcus Kaiser"
date_modified: "2026-08-12"
---

# Probate checker

Answer two or three questions to find out whether the estate is likely to need probate. The rule of thumb: sole-name property or land almost always needs a grant; everything jointly owned or nominated almost never does; sole-name savings sit in between and depend on each bank's threshold, roughly £5,000–£50,000.

> SwiftWill provides legal information and software for England & Wales under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Figures are taken from gov.uk, legislation.gov.uk and HMCTS, checked 12 August 2026. We have not given you legal advice — this is general information.

## Do you need probate? Answer a few questions

## Why do these three questions settle whether probate is needed?

Probate exists to unlock sole-name assets. Everything that passes another way — survivorship
 on joint accounts and joint-tenant property, nominations on pensions and trust-written life
 insurance — never enters the estate at all. What's left is sole-name money, and for that
 each institution decides whether its own threshold is exceeded. The full reasoning, including
 the tenants-in-common trap, is in [do I need probate?](/probate/do-i-need-probate/)

## What should you do if the checker says probate is needed?

Don't panic and don't pay anyone yet. Straightforward estates are administered by
 ordinary people every day: the online application plus the HMRC forms is genuinely
 manageable, and the court fee is £526 for estates over £5,000. Read
 the [probate guide](/probate/), budget
 with [probate costs](/probate/probate-costs/) and
 the [fees estimator](/tools/probate-fees-estimator/), and work the
 [executor checklist](/executor-checklist/) in order.

## Frequently asked questions

### How does the checker decide?

It applies the three tests executors actually use: is there sole-name property or land (almost always needs a grant); does everything pass by survivorship or nomination (almost never needs one); and do sole-name savings exceed bank release thresholds, roughly £5,000–£50,000 (depends on the institution).

### The checker says 'it depends' — now what?

Ask each bank and platform for its deceased-customer pack. They will state their threshold and what they need: many release mid-five-figure balances on the death certificate plus an indemnity form, especially to a spouse. Only apply for probate if one insists on a grant.

### Does the checker work if there's no will?

Yes — the need for a grant depends on the assets, not the will. Without a will the document is called Letters of Administration and the closest relative under the intestacy rules applies, but the property/joint/threshold tests are identical.

### What about premium bonds, ISAs and shares?

NS&I has its own process and threshold; ISAs and certificated shares count toward sole-name investments. Add them into the 'sole-name savings and investments' question when you use the checker.

### Is the checker's answer legally definitive?

No — it's a strong steer, not legal advice. Each institution makes the final call on what it will release without a grant. If any bank, platform or the Land Registry demands a grant, that settles it.

Canonical HTML: https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/probate-checker/
Markdown: https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/probate-checker.md
Last modified: 2026-08-12
Author: Marcus Kaiser (https://swiftwill.co.uk/author/marcus-kaiser/)