September 20, 2026

Dealing with probate after someone dies can feel overwhelming, particularly when family members are also dealing with grief.

One way to make the process more efficient is to gather as much relevant information as possible before meeting a probate solicitor.

The exact documents required will depend on the estate, but certain information is commonly important.

The original will

If the deceased left a will, the original document is particularly important.

GOV.UK states that an executor applying for probate normally needs to provide the original will and that the Probate Registry keeps it as a public record after the grant is issued. You should also provide any codicils or other relevant documents.

Death certificate

A death certificate will normally be needed as part of dealing with the deceased's affairs.

If the death occurred outside England and Wales, or an interim certificate has been issued by a coroner, specific requirements may apply to the probate application.

Bank and savings information

Try to collect details of:

Current accounts

Savings accounts

ISAs

Investment accounts

Premium bonds

Other financial assets

Statements can help establish balances and transactions around the date of death.

Property information

For property, gather documents showing:

The address

Ownership details

Mortgage information

Property valuation

Any rental arrangements

Relevant insurance

Where a property is jointly owned, it is particularly important to establish whether it was held as joint tenants or tenants in common.

Pension and life insurance information

Locate pension statements and beneficiary nomination information.

Also provide details of life insurance policies, including whether a policy is held in trust.

This is increasingly important because most unused pension funds and pension death benefits are due to come within the Inheritance Tax regime from 6 April 2027.

Debts and liabilities

A probate solicitor will also need information about liabilities.

This can include:

Mortgages

Credit cards

Personal loans

Utility bills

Tax liabilities

Care costs

Other outstanding debts

Gifts made before death

Information about significant gifts made during the deceased's lifetime can also be relevant when calculating the estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

GOV.UK explains that certain estates may require details of gifts and other information to be reported to HMRC.

Make a simple estate checklist

Before your first meeting, creating a simple list of assets, debts, policies and documents can save considerable time.

Do not worry if you cannot find everything. Tell the solicitor what you know and identify anything that is missing.

Conclusion

Preparing for a probate solicitor does not mean you need to have every aspect of the estate worked out before the first appointment.

The most useful starting point is to gather the original will, death certificate, property information, bank and investment details, pension and insurance documents, debts and information about significant gifts.

The more complete the information, the easier it can be to identify what needs to be dealt with during the administration of the estate.