DIY Probate vs. Professional Help: What's the Best Option for Your Family

Navigating Probate – Should You Go It Alone?

When a loved one dies, handling their estate can feel like one of the most overwhelming tasks on your list. And if you’re trying to keep costs down, it’s tempting to take the DIY probate route—handling the process yourself without any legal support.

But is that the best choice?

In this blog, we’ll explore:

What DIY probate actually involves
What changes when you choose professional probate support
A side-by-side comparison of pros and cons
Why families often turn to Soteria Planning for a better way forward

Whether you’re early in the process or already facing challenges, understanding your options could save you a lot of time, money—and stress.

Quick Recap: What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone’s estate after they’ve passed away. It involves:

Applying for a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there’s no Will)
Settling debts and taxes
Distributing assets in line with the Will or intestacy laws

Probate can be relatively straightforward—or incredibly complex—depending on the size of the estate, whether there’s a Will, and the family dynamics involved.

What Is DIY Probate?

DIY probate means taking on the entire process yourself without using a solicitor or specialist. It’s legal, and in simple cases, some people choose this route.

Typical responsibilities include:

Filling out probate and inheritance tax forms
Calculating tax liabilities
Collecting financial information from banks and pension providers
Paying debts and distributing assets
Keeping detailed records throughout the process

It’s time-consuming, detail-heavy, and requires a clear head—often at a time of grief and emotional fatigue.

DIY Probate vs. Professional Help – Side-by-Side Comparison

Category	DIY Probate	Professional Help
Cost	Cheaper up front	Professional fees apply
Time & Admin	Heavy - hours of paperwork and coordination	Light - handled on your behalf
Risk of Mistakes	High - especially around tax forms and legal timelines	Low - handled by qualified experts
Legal Knowledge Required	You're expected to know the rules	Provided as part of the service
Emotional Burden	High - grieving + managing complex admin	Lower - support throughout
Accountability	You're liable for any errors or delays	Professional liability insurance and checks in place
Complex Situations	Difficult to handle - e.g. trusts, multiple properties	Managed by trained advisors, including STEP-qualified experts

When DIY Probate Goes Wrong

Even with the best intentions, DIY probate can backfire. Common issues include:

Incorrect tax filings that lead to fines or interest from HMRC
Missed deadlines that delay estate distribution
Disputes between family members over assets or inheritance shares
Undervalued estates, leading to inaccurate tax liability
Lack of understanding of legal obligations, leaving you personally liable

Often, clients come to us after trying to DIY probate - frustrated, overwhelmed, or already in hot water.

When Professional Probate Support Makes Sense

Here's when it's worth bringing in the experts:

There's no Will and you're unsure who should apply
The estate includes property, shares, or business assets
There's potential for inheritance tax
There are multiple beneficiaries, especially in blended families
You simply don't have the time or headspace to manage the admin

Professional support gives you peace of mind, protects the estate, and ensures everything is handled legally and efficiently.

Why Choose Soteria Planning?

At Soteria, we offer something different.

We’re not a faceless corporate that treats you like a case number. But we’re also not a one-man band that can’t scale or respond when things get busy.

We sit confidently in the middle—offering:

A team of qualified professionals, including STEP-trained advisors and legal experts
A warm, human approach tailored to your family’s needs
Transparent pricing and clear communication
Compassionate support when you’re grieving, not just ticking boxes
End-to-end probate services, from application to asset distribution

We believe probate is about people, not just paperwork.