Glossary · Selling a home

Grant of probate

The court document that confirms executors' legal authority to deal with a deceased person's estate, including selling their home.

Also known as: probate · letters of administration

In England and Wales the grant is issued by the Probate Registry, part of HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Where there is no will, the equivalent is letters of administration. Executors can market a property before the grant arrives, but contracts cannot normally be exchanged until it has been issued.

Scotland uses a different process called confirmation.

Authoritative sources

www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate

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