What is a Grant de Bonis Non?

A Grant de Bonis Non is a special type of Grant of Representation that allows someone to complete the administration of an estate when the original Personal Representative (PR) is no longer able to do so.

This usually happens if the Executor or Administrator dies or loses mental capacity before the estate has been fully administered. The phrase de bonis non administrates is Latin and means “of the goods not yet administered”. In simple terms, it refers to the remaining parts of an estate that still need to be dealt with.

When is Grant de Bonis Non needed?

A Grant de Bonis Non is only required in specific circumstances. It may be needed if:

• The sole Executor dies before finishing the estate administration

• The last surviving Administrator dies before the estate is completed

• The remaining PR becomes mentally incapable of acting

• There is no legal chain of representation allowing someone else to continue the administration

If another Executor is still able to act, or a valid chain of representation exists, a Grant de Bonis Non is usually not required.

Who can apply?

Who can apply depends on how the estate was originally being administered.

If the original Grant was Probate

If the deceased left a valid Will and the sole or last surviving Executor can no longer act, the person entitled to apply is usually:

• A residuary beneficiary named in the Will

• Another person entitled under the Non-Contentious Probate Rules

• In certain circumstances, the Personal Representative of the deceased Executor

If the original Grant was Letters of Administration

If the original Administrator dies before completing the estate, the next eligible person depends on the circumstances. This could be:

• Another person entitled under the rules of intestacy

• Another residuary beneficiary

• The Personal Representative of the deceased Administrator

The Probate Registry determines who has the legal right to apply in each case.

How do you apply?

Unlike many probate applications, a Grant de Bonis Non cannot usually be submitted online. Instead, the application is made using a paper probate application:

• PA1P if the original deceased left a valid Will

• PA1A if the original deceased died without a Will

The application is normally accompanied by:

• A copy of the original Grant of Representation

• An HMRC CAP A5C form confirming the value of the remaining estate

• Any additional documents requested by the Probate Registry

Depending on the circumstances, further evidence may also be required.

How long does a Grant de Bonis Non take?

The timescale is similar to other probate applications but can be longer because these cases are often more complex. Processing times depend on:

• The circumstances of the estate

• Whether additional documents are needed

• Probate Registry workloads

If further information is requested during the application, this may extend the overall timeframe.

How much does it cost?

Where a Grant of Representation has already been issued for the estate, a second application for a Grant de Bonis Non usually attracts a reduced court fee, currently £22. Additional official copies of the Grant can also be ordered if needed. As probate fees can change, it is always worth checking the latest charges before applying.

Why might professional advice help?

A Grant of Bonis Non is relatively uncommon and often arises in more complicated estates.

The application can involve questions around entitlement, probate law, and Inheritance Tax reporting. Because of this, many people choose to seek professional advice to ensure the correct person applies and all supporting documents are provided. Professional support can also help avoid delays if the original estate administration was left unfinished.

Final thoughts

A Grant of Bonis Non allows estate administration to continue when the original Executor or Administrator is unable to complete the process.

Although most estates will never require one, it plays an important role in ensuring unfinished estate administration can be completed lawfully. Understanding when this type of Grant is needed can help Personal Representatives and beneficiaries navigate what is often an unexpected situation.