Duties · 4 min read
Section 27 notices: protecting yourself from unknown claims
A short advertisement in The Gazette and a local paper protects an executor personally against debts they did not know about. It is inexpensive and widely overlooked.
Written and reviewed by Ramani Gill, Founder & CEO — Solicitor, TEP, BA, LLM. Last reviewed 2026-08-19.
What the notice does
Section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925 lets a personal representative advertise for claims. If a creditor comes forward after the notice period and the estate has been distributed, the executor is not personally liable — although the creditor may still pursue the beneficiaries.
Where to place them
| Publication | Purpose |
|---|---|
| The Gazette | The official public record, required |
| A newspaper circulating where the property is | Reaches local creditors |
| Any other appropriate publication | Trade press where the deceased ran a business |
Doing this yourself?
Our guided service walks an executor through valuations, the HMCTS forms and the estate accounts for a one-off £349.
The timetable
- Place the notices, ideally as soon as the grant issues
- Allow at least two months from the date of the notice
- Deal with any claims received
- Distribute once the period has expired and other checks are complete
Cheap insurance
Typically £150 to £300 for both notices, against unlimited personal exposure to an unknown debt. On any estate with a business history or a complicated financial life, place them.Common questions
- Are section 27 notices compulsory?
- No, but without them an executor who distributes and is later met with an unknown debt can be personally liable for it.
Not sure whether this estate is straightforward?
The free suitability checker asks about jurisdiction, disputes and complexity, and tells you in a few minutes whether a self-help route is sensible — or whether you should speak to a solicitor. No account needed.
Start the free checkerWhere this fits in the probate process
Related guides
- When an executor becomes personally liable
- Paying estate debts in the right order
- What an executor is legally responsible for
- Notifying banks, pensions and insurers after a death
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Last checked 2026-08-19.