A ’Grant of Probate’ is a legal document that gives you the right to sort out someone’s affairs once they have died. If you are the executor of a Will you will need Proof of Probate to deal with the deceased person’s financial affairs such as banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, tax affairs, pensions, estate agents, and local authorities.
In most cases, the bank or organisation concerned will need to see the grant of probate before transferring control of the assets.
Probate can be a lengthy and complicated process, depending on the size, value and complexity of someone’s Estate although it is made easier if that person has made a Will.