How to administer an estate

Last reviewed 18 August 2026

Administering an estate is less a single act than a long, orderly errand — done well, it protects both the beneficiaries and the executor who carries it out.

The process, from death to distribution

First, the death is registered and the will found. The estate is then valued at the date of death — property, accounts, investments, possessions, less debts. Any inheritance tax is reported and, where due, paid or arranged. The executor applies for the grant of probate (the £526 fee, nothing below £5,000), collects in the assets once the grant is issued, pays the debts and any remaining tax, prepares estate accounts, and distributes the residue to the beneficiaries.

How long, and what it costs

A straightforward estate is usually settled within 6–12 months; a complex one can take up to 18. The unavoidable cost is the £526 government fee; beyond that, you may do the work yourself or instruct a solicitor by fixed fee, hourly rate, or a percentage of the estate. Ordering sealed copies of the grant (£2 each) up front lets you deal with several institutions at once and shortens the whole business.

Sources. GOV.UK, Applying for probate; GOV.UK, Dealing with the estate of someone who has died; HMCTS timescales.