Can I Do Probate Myself?
After a death, many people find themselves facing something called probate — the legal process of handling a person’s estate. For some, the first instinct is to hire a lawyer or probate company. For others, the question is: can I do this myself?
The short answer is: yes — often.
The longer answer is: it depends on the situation, your confidence, and how complicated the estate is.
Let’s break it down.
First: what is probate?
In simple terms, probate is the legal permission to deal with someone’s estate after they die. That includes:
Gathering assets
Paying debts and taxes
Distributing what’s left to the right people
The exact name varies depending on where you live — in some places it’s called probate, in others it may be called estate administration, letters of administration, or something similar.
Can anyone apply for probate?
In most countries, the person applying will be:
The executor (if there’s a valid will)
The next of kin or administrator (if there’s no will)
You don’t need to be a legal professional to apply. Courts, registries, or government offices often allow individuals to handle the process themselves — provided they follow the required steps and submit the correct forms.
When probate might be fairly straightforward
You may be able to handle probate yourself if:
The estate is small and simple
Assets are easy to identify (bank accounts, a house, a car, etc.)
There’s no dispute between family members
There’s little or no debt
The tax situation is simple
All beneficiaries are easy to locate and agree with the process
Many everyday estates fall into this category, especially if there’s good paperwork available.
When professional help may be worth considering
It can be helpful to use a solicitor, lawyer, or probate professional if:
The estate is large or complex
There are significant debts or tax issues
There’s a business involved
There’s disagreement among beneficiaries
Property is located in multiple countries
The will is unclear or disputed
You simply don’t feel comfortable handling legal paperwork yourself
In these cases, getting professional advice can prevent costly mistakes or family conflict later on.
What does "DIY probate" actually involve?
Even for simpler estates, there’s still admin involved. You may need to:
Complete government forms
Notify banks, insurers, and government offices
Gather financial information
File tax returns
Pay off debts
Prepare estate accounts
Distribute inheritance to beneficiaries
Keep records of everything for transparency
In many places, government websites provide step-by-step guidance. You may also be able to get limited professional support (sometimes called "grant only" services) if you just want help applying for probate but plan to handle the rest yourself.
The emotional side of DIY probate
Probate isn’t just paperwork — you’re also managing legal tasks while grieving.
It can feel rewarding to handle things yourself.
It can also feel stressful, time-consuming, or emotionally draining.
There’s no shame in asking for help if you need it.
A simple tool to help stay organised
One thing that can make DIY probate easier is staying organised right from the start — keeping track of assets, debts, tasks, and progress as you go.
That’s exactly why I created the After Death Spreadsheet — to give people a clear, simple way to stay organized during estate administration, whether you're working through probate yourself or alongside professional support.
A final thought
Yes — many people can handle probate themselves, especially for straightforward estates. But it’s also completely normal to seek professional help if things get more complicated, or if the paperwork feels overwhelming.
Either way: take it one step at a time. It does get done.
