Whether you need a will or need to obtain probate after your death depends mainly on your surviving assets. If your assets are more than £325K (including your house and all your possessions) then inheritance tax will need to be paid. This will need to be completed before probate can be granted (The government wants its money before anyone else gets a chance to spend it).
Probate is simply the authority to wind up and distribute a persons assets after death in accordance with their written will. The authority is given by probate a a specific set of people or one person who is named in the will as executor or executrix. They have no authority to change any of the terms in the written will.
If there is no will then someone needs to apply for “Letters of Administration” which is simply the same function except that the order of who gets the inheritance is laid down by law.
If the assets are quite small, up to around £50K then probate might not be necessary at all provided the holders of any asset agrees not to insist on probate Last time I did this the bank limit was £50K but it might vary between banks etc. Also sale of any house would need authority to do so.
To be honest it is always best to make a will. In this way you can be sure your wishes will be carried out. There are several cheap ways to do this including a “will kit” or some solicitors will do it cheaply. I would say you could get a solicitor to do one for £100-150 and this could save your executor money in the long run and as these costs would be deductible from your estate it would mean the inheritor would benefit more. Not a lot of money for peace of mind and simplicity in dealing with your estate. It is not that difficult to do.
