PA14 Probate Medical Certificate

Why use NovaCare?

• In-person attendance is our preferred method of assessment, upholding the highest standards in practice.

• We're Bond Solon expert witnesses and retain a 100% acceptance rate for all our reports.

• Award-winning expert witnesses and expert assessors for all your private client needs.

• All qualified professionals with health and care management experience.

• Rapid and reliable assessments, compliant with CPR35 or FPR25.

Tell me about PA14

What is a PA14 Medical Certificate?

A PA14 is a specialised medical certificate required for probate proceedings when an executor or administrator lacks the mental capacity to manage a deceased person's estate. Our comprehensive service includes both the formal mental capacity assessment and completion of the PA14 certificate by qualified professionals.

Who Can Complete a PA14?

Only registered healthcare professionals specifically approved by HM Courts and Tribunal Service can undertake this specialist work. Our team holds dual qualifications as registered social workers in England and Wales and Approved Mental Health Professionals, ensuring assessments meet the highest professional standards.

When Do You Need a PA14?

You'll require a PA14 certificate when:

• An executor or administrator lacks mental capacity to act

• Submitting a Grant of Representation

• Someone has lost capacity after receiving Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

• You need to act on behalf of an incapacitated executor/administrator

Note: If the person has capacity but simply prefers not to act, a Power of Attorney may be more appropriate. We can signpost you to specialist probate solicitors we work with regularly.

Our Service

• Initial consultation and case preparation

• Face-to-face capacity assessment (and follow-ups if needed)

• Family/professional consultations

• Completed PA14 form within 12 days

• Formal legal declaration of assessor independence

• Tracked postal delivery of the printed form

Additional costs: Travel expenses only (free if you visit our offices)

Why Choose Nova Care Consultants?

✓ 100% acceptance rate by probate courts since 2019
✓ Unique aftercare guarantee - additional work at no cost if required by the courts
✓ Direct access - speak directly with qualified professionals
✓ Quick turnaround - assessments completed within 12 days
✓ Independent reports meeting legal standards

Why Not Use a GP (family doctor)?

While GPs previously offered this service, most no longer do due to:

• Increased workload pressures

• Lack of confidence in complex capacity law

• Limited legal training in mental capacity assessments

Capacity assessment is a legal process, not a medical examination. Judges have publicly acknowledged that social worker reports often exceed medical assessments in terms of quality and legal rigour in these matters.

Professional Assurance

Our assessments are completed by professionals with specialist legal knowledge and extensive experience in mental capacity law. We regularly support families whose GP assessments have been rejected by probate, causing unnecessary delays and stress.

How to book an assessment

We limit the number of steps you need to take to book an assessment with us. We have three simple steps:

Step 1 : Contact us by email, telephone, online or using the 'book a consultation' link below. You can also purchase an assessment directly. We will ask for essential details about the assessment (or email you our scoping form). We will provide a written quote after the consultation. You can request direct access to our fee guide by clicking here to learn about our fees.

Step 2 : It's time to allocate a named consultant. Sometimes, we can combine steps 1 and 2 in one single call. At this stage, we'll ask for either whole or part payment to secure your booking. If you're using a solicitor, we may be able to invoice directly. Please check with us.

Step 3: We'll undertake a face-to-face visit at a place and time where the person is most comfortable, affording the person the best opportunity. Sometimes we may need to assess the person again, particularly for decisions that require longevity. We then write the report and email or post it to you, usually within 3 working days after assessment, or once full payment has cleared.

What are your fees?

Fees for a non-complex, non-contentious PA14 capacity assessment start at £500.

* As a leading capacity assessment service, we respect the use of technology to aid our assessments, but we disagree that a comprehensive evaluation can be undertaken by remote means alone, and we can never be sure of the individual's circumstances when assessing by a computer or telephone. We therefore do not offer any form of remote-based assessment for our first assessments. We may at times agree to follow up by remote means, but this is assessed on a case by case basis.

Do you have any questions?