HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has launched a service for online probate applications.
It said the move follows a beta trial of the service, which began in July 2017 and has led to 93% of the people who used it expressing their satisfaction.
This is part of the £1 billion courts modernisation programme.
HMCTS chief executive Susan Acland-Hood said: “Making probate simpler and more convenient, and removing the need to attend a probate registry and swear an oath in person, helps bereaved people at a very challenging time. Those who have tested our new service have told us how much difference it makes.
“I am delighted we are now able to offer this new, simpler way of doing probate to the public at large. It is part of the work we’re doing to make the justice system easier to navigate for everyone.”
HMCTS said it plans to add more features to the service, including the ability to apply if the deceased did not leave a will.
It is encouraging feedback and said improvements will be made where needed.
Other elements of the modernisation programme include which also includes an online small money claims service, the extension of the digital divorce system and a plan for the digitisation of immigration and social security tribunals.
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
