Grant of Probate vs Letters of Administration.

The two most common types of grant are:

• Grant of Probate – issued when the deceased person left a valid Will and the named executors are applying. This gives legal authority to carry out the terms of the Will.
• Grant of Letters of Administration – issued where there is no valid Will. In this case, the estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy, and only those entitled (such as a surviving spouse or children) may apply.

Understanding grant of probate vs letters of admin is important because applying for the wrong type can delay the process, create unnecessary costs, or result in an invalid application. Our solicitors ensure the right route is chosen from the outset.

Other Types of Grant of Representation.

In some circumstances, neither of the above applies, and a different form of authority is needed:

• Grant of Letters of Administration with Will Annexed – where a Will exists but the executors cannot act (for example, because no executor was named, the executor has died, or they have renounced their role). In this case, the Probate Registry appoints the most appropriate person to administer the estate in line with the Will.
• Other specialist grants – In rare or complex cases, such as where an executor is abroad or has limited capacity, the court may require a bespoke grant to enable the estate to be administered correctly.

Whichever type of grant applies, our team manages the probate and estate administration from start to finish, ensuring every application is valid, accurate, and accepted without unnecessary delay.