Grant of administration inheritance cases soar 50% in two years with estates worth millions affected
24 June 2026
- Freedom of Information data obtained by Co op Legal Services from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) shows that the number of will-less estates handled by the Court and Tribunal Service Centre has increased by 50% since 2023.*
- The member-owned organisation also found that there were 43,108 grants of letters of administration cases issued through HMCTS’ central probate service, last year.
- The data also reveals that in estates worth millions are requiring letters of administration, highlighting wealthy individuals are dying without a valid will.
- Co-op Legal Services is encouraging people to take the time to make a legally valid will to protect their loved ones.
Freedom of Information data obtained by Co-op Legal Servicesfrom HMCTS reveals that the number of grants of letters of administration cases handled by the Court and Tribunal Service Centre (CTSC) has soared by almost 50% since 2023.
The findings from the member-owned organisation show that the number of grants of letters of administration cases processed through the CTSC has risen from 28,657 in 2023 to 43,108 in 2025, suggesting that more people are dying without a valid will.
Notably, the data from HMCTS also revealed that estates worth millions are requiring grants of administration, highlighting that people with significant wealth in the UK are dying without a valid will. Indeed in 2020 and 2024, estates worth over £854 million and £663 million required grants of administration, respectively.
Last year, the highest value estate requiring a letter of administration was over £144 million, and while the average estate value was a more modest £212,000, this is still a substantial amount of money for most families. A letter of administration is required when someone dies intestate, meaning without a valid will and, in absence of an executor of the will, having to obtain this adds complexity to the estate administration process. The beneficiaries of the estate are determined by the Rules of Intestacy, which essentially means the law decides. This can result in an appointment that some members of the family are unhappy with. As such this, combined with not knowing the deceased’s wishes, could trigger disputes among loved ones and legal challenges that further delay and complicate the distribution of the estate. This can have a significant financial impact as ultimately, until the letter of administration is issued, families may be unable to access bank accounts, sell property or settle debts.
What’s more, with the exception of very simple estates that may pass to a surviving spouse or civil partner or one child, the application process must be submitted by paper rather than online, which can lead to much longer delays in obtaining the Grant. Indeed, on average, paper probate applications take around 13 weeks longer to complete than digital applications. **
Research commissioned by Co-op Life Services reveals that more than two-fifths (41%) of those aged 55 and over haven’t made a will and of those over 55 without a will, almost half (48%) don’t know what happens should they die without having one in place. ***
However, the research also found that an estimated 1.6 million (3%) decided to make a will as the government’s inheritance tax changes prompted them to look into getting their affairs in order.
Co-op Legal Services is, therefore, encouraging the nation to take the time to make a legally valid will as doing so will protect loved ones and help to make the probate process much smoother.
David Fenwick, Head of Probate at Co-op Legal Services said:
“Our findings show that there has been an increase in the number of grants of letters of administration cases handled by the Court and Tribunal Service Centre, which suggests a rise in the number of estates that don’t have a legally valid will.
“The process of obtaining legal authority to administer an estate without a valid will can take a significant emotional and financial toll as a result of the added complexities of not having a record of the individual’s wishes.
“When dealing with probate without a will, it’s important to seek professional advice as early as possible in order to mitigate complications that can arise from obtaining the letters of administration.
“However, having a legally valid will is something we should all take the time to put in place. Having this enables you to plan and record your wishes so that they can be legally recognised and can make the probate process smoother, giving you invaluable peace of mind.”
-ENDS-
Notes to the editor
Freedom of Information data obtained from His Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service on 10th April 2026.
** Digital – just over 2 weeks. Paper – just under 15 weeks according to: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/probate-waiting-times-halved-thanks-to-government-push
*** Survey of 2,000 UK adults carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of Co-op Life Services (Insurance, Funeralcare and Legal Services) between 20.3.26 and 23.3.26
About Co-op Legal Services
Co-op Legal Services is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, providing legal services in England and Wales. It is one of the largest providers of estate planning and probate services in the UK, with specialist practices in family law, serious injury and medical negligence. Co-op Legal Services’ mission is to help people understand the law, to use the law to protect their future and that of their loved ones. It achieves this by providing accessible, engaging, professional legal advice and support through a blend of digital and 1-2-1 specialist advice.
Co-op Legal Services is part of the Co-op Group.
About Co-op
Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating across food retail, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by around 7.2 million active member-owners, Co-op exists to meet their needs and champion the causes they care about.
With more than 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes and a wholesale business supplying around 8,000 additional outlets, Co-op employs 53,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues of over £11 billion. It is a recognised leader in ethical business and community-led programmes, creating long-term value for members and communities across the UK.