Stamp Duty and Fees

All stamp duty and fees will need to be paid before the Grant is given. Personal application fees will also be added on. You can click here which will show you how much the Stamp Duty fees are:

Stamp Duty is worked out on the net value of the deceased’s estate, wherever that might be in the world.  Net Value means the value of an estate after debts and bills have been paid.

A Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration can be applied for by you if you are the Executor or next of kin in person or through a lawyer.

Making a personal application

Make an appointment with the Probate Registry at the Judicial Greffe in the Royal Court House, Royal Square by calling Tel:+44 1534 441308.

If the person who has died left a Will, you will need to bring these documents –

• The original Death Certificate
• The original Will
• Photographic ID
• Bank Statement which covers the date of death or a letter from the bank telling you how much was held in the account at this time
• A statement from the Co-Op share account or Post office account
• Information about any shares or bonds held
• The value of any cars if the deceased does not leave behind a spouse
• Valuation of any jewellery or other valuables
• Funeral Invoice
• Letter from Customer and Local Services confirming how much of the death grant was granted
• Statements of outstanding debts

If any of the above cannot be obtained before the appointment, as estimate is acceptable and stamp duty will be recalculated at a later date.

When there is no Will, you will need to bring the documents below with you:

• The original Death Certificate
• Birth Certificate showing who the parents of the deceased are
• If the Administrator is the spouse, the marriage certificate
• If the Administrator is the eldest child, their birth certificate along with those of any siblings
• Their parents’ divorce or marriage certificate
• Photographic ID
• Details of assets and debts, as above

In some cases extra paperwork or Affidavits may be needed, but you will be told about this at the time of the Interview.

If there are any Contentious Issues, the Probate Officer will tell you to seek legal advice if necessary.

Once all the documents have been approved, a second appointment will be made for the paperwork to be signed and for the Executor or Administrator to swear an Oath. This is done in the Probate Registry on Monday to Thursday mornings.

At the second appointment, you will be told what the fees are and how to pay them.

The Grant or Letters are issued when the fees are paid.

Intermeddling

Personal belongings of the deceased such as clothes, furnishings etc. can be given to charity but you may not sell, give away or otherwise dispose of any assets until the Grant has been issued.

Do not pay any cheques into your own personal bank account or that of the deceased, even if they are in your name.

If you do so you may be guilty of an offence under Article 19 of the Probate (Jersey) Law, 1998.