Wills and trusts
The rules about how you make a will, set up trusts and deal with an estate.
Making a will, searching for a will, changing a will, destroying a will and challenging a will.
This factsheet provides general information for personal representatives about how to carry out their duties. It includes information on what happens if someone has not left a will. Applies to England and Wales only.
When a person dies, somebody has to deal with their estate, collect in their money, property and possessions, pay any debts and then distribute the estate to those entitled to it.
This factsheet provides general information for personal representatives on how to carry out their duties. It includes information on what happens if someone has not left a will.
When someone dies, you may be able to apply for a ‘grant of representation’. This gives you the legal right to deal with the person’s property, money and possessions (their ‘estate’). The right to deal with the estate of someone who has died is called ‘probate’. Explains what to do if the person did or didn't leave a will.
Explains how you search for copies of probate records. This is very useful if you think you may have a case under the Inheritance Act but don't know how much the estate is worth.
Most people review their wills when they have children or grandchildren or when their financial situation changes and there are other situations when you should make a new will. Depending on what sort of change you’re making, you should either add to your will or write a new one.
Information on who can and can't inherit if there is no will. Covers married couples, civil partners, children and other relatives.
Do you need someone to manage money for you – for example, to use it to help someone after your death, or to pay for your care later on? One way to do this is to put the money into a trust.
