In principle, the Grant only authorises the deceased's Executor or Administrator to deal with the deceased's Personal Estate. In Guernsey, Real Estate does not require an Executor and a Will of Realty would never appoint one.

No,  and neither is it obligatory to obtain one. The sole purpose of obtaining a  Grant is to enable the release of the deceased's Personalty to the Executor or Administrator. If the asset holder is willing to release without a Grant, then there is no point in obtaining one. For instance, small balances at banks (usually £5,000 or less), will commonly be released without a Grant provided that the recipient of the money can identify himself and is prepared to give a letter of indemnity to the bank.

Application for a Grant is made to the Ecclesiastical Court, either directly by the named Executors or prospective Administrator, or through his Advocate. If there is no Will, then the prospective Administrator will need to supply his Advocate or the Registrar of the Ecclesiastical Court with documentary proof that he is entitled to a Grant.

The Ecclesiastical Court fees are approximately 0.35% of the gross value of the Personal Estate, with small additional charges for ancillary documents and for each page of any Will
or Codicil. The percentage charge is lower for Estates with a gross value of £80,000 or less.

If a professional adviser or bank is engaged to obtain the Grant, his fees are of course payable in addition and vary greatly depending on who is used. Careful enquiry is prudent.

The Executor or Administrator takes an Oath before the Dean in the Ecclesiastical Court to administer the Estate in accordance with the Law and the terms of the Will, and to render an account of his administration to the Court if called upon so to do.

The duties essentially involve the gathering of assets, the payment of debts (including taxes, such as unpaid income tax) and the distribution of the net Estate. This can be very quick and easy in small Estates, but in complex ones can take months, and sometimes years.

When a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration have been issued, a notice may be published in La Gazette Officielle allowing a three month period for any creditor of the Estate to notify the Executors or Administrators of his claim. Many Executors or Administrators will decline to make any distribution of the net Estate until that period has lapsed.

It is always advisable for Executors or Administrators to take advice from an advocate if they have not dealt with this sort of matter before.