Probate Compliance Manual

The accountant’s guide to carrying out probate work for clients.

Probate is a regulated activity. The Probate Compliance Manual provides extensive guidance and ready-to use templates to help you carry out probate assignments for your clients and ensure your firm complies with the Probate Regulations.

If you haven’t yet been accredited to carry out probate work, find out how to apply here.

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Manual Details

Content

A wide range of ready-to-use templates including:

  • Probate annual compliance review checklist
  • Probate engagement letters
  • Client property register
  • Complaint form
  • Wills checklist
  • Specimen oath for executors
  • Specimen estate accounts
  • A probate control sheet to help you organise and keep records of your probate work


Extensive guidance covering:

  • Complying with the Probate Regulations
  • Carrying out a probate assignment
  • Taxation considerations
  • Wills and intestacy
  • Valuing the estate
  • Administering the estate
  • Finalising the estate
  • Paying debts
  • Identifying the beneficiaries
  • Obtaining a grant of probate
  • Oaths
  • A summary of the regulations
  • Complaints procedures
  • Alternate arrangements
  • Appointing personal representatives
  • Obtaining probate work
Latest Update

March 2025
The principal technical changes in this update include:

  • Update for the Autumn 2024 budget;
  • Update for the online availability of form P1000;
  • Other best practice changes.

February 2024
The principal technical changes in this update relate to:

  • Update for the 2023 Probate Diversity Survey results;
  • Updates for the increase in the statutory legacy used under the Intestacy Rules;
  • Update for the change in the Legal Ombudsman Scheme Rules;
  • Other best practice changes.

December 2022
The principal technical changes in this update relate to:

  • Electronic filing of probate applications
  • Extension of COVID-19 measures
  • New probate regulations with regards to pricing transparency
  • Increase in probate fees
  • Other best practice changes.

The recent move from ACCA regulations to CiLEX will be updated in a future update whilst we agree accreditation of our manual and training with CiLEX.

November 2020
This update to the manual principally incorporates:

  • Changes of the content related to Oaths.
  • Updates to the probate requirements section and the affidavits.
  • Updates to the grants related section, including grant applications, statements of truth, legal statements and banks' requirements.
  • Temporary COVID-19 measures concerning signatures on wills.
Terms & Conditions

Pricing

All prices are subject to VAT. Prices are subject to change on 1 July.

Mercia online manuals are updated regularly by our technical staff and you will be notified of any significant regulatory changes by email. 

Your subscription will automatically auto-renew on anniversary date, you will be notified by email before your subscription expires and offered the option to opt out of auto-renewal.

System Requirements

  • Internet access. 
  • Operating System: Windows, Mac IOS. 
  • Applications: Full version of Microsoft Office or Mac equivalent, PDF Reader.