Newcastle District Probate Registry

This office deals with probate and the tribunal courts.  Applying for the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money and possessions (their ‘estate’) when they die is called ‘applying for probate’.  If the person left a will, you’ll get a ‘grant of probate’. If the person did not leave a will, you’ll get ‘letters of administration’.

You can apply for probate if you’re named in the will, or in an update to the will (a codicil), as an ‘executor’.

If the person did not leave a will then an ‘administrator’ will deal with the estate.

You can apply to become the estate’s administrator if you were the deceased’s:

• spouse (husband or wife) – even if you were separated
• civil partner
• child

To apply, follow the same steps as applying for probate.

You’ll receive ‘letters of administration’ to prove you have the legal right to deal with the estate.

You can make a complaint about the service, building or security.