How long does probate take

amandathepanda

My mum died in july last year and she left a will, so everything is being dealt with by the solicitors. She did't have a vast amount of money and we will not have to pay inheritance tax, but she did have some shares as well. It is now seven months later, my dad doesn't like to bother the solicitors. Any advice?

KD

My father died in August last year and I decided to tackle the job myself- just think it was my own way of coping with it.

It took me 6 months to gather/sort out all the information needed from my Mum & Dad's own paperwork and specific stuff from institutions. My dad's estate was pretty ordinary: various bank accounts, isa, shares, property etc.

I was a novice and managed it within 6 months, so I'd have thought lawyers would have been able to have achieved this where things were uncomplicated.

I dealt with everything on my mother's behalf as she just couldn't cope with it. Perhaps, your dad needs similar support. My mum was just immobilised.

Where necesssary, I just typed letters up for my mum to sign, adding a paragraph at the end that gave permisssion for organisations to talk to me on her behalf, to help sort things out. I found most organisations were helpful, although I was impressed at their efforts to balance our needs whilst protecting her security.

Bossyboots

Your dad needs to "bother" the solicitors. It is unacceptable that it has taken this long, particularly if you are not being kept in touch with what is going on.

Remember, you dad is employing the solicitor to do a job. I suspect they have been sitting on this because they are not being pushed.

Anonkat

Excellent info here thanx. Just lost my mum and am going to do probate for my dad. Now have some idea where to start. Cheers thanx again all. Kat

alared

I`m afraid the biggest shock you`re going to get is the solicitor`s bill for taking so long to do so little.

Xbigman

Solicitors told me 4 weeks but appently that didn't include the 5 weeks they sat on their backsides before sending the paperwork off or the 3 weeks it took to realise they used the wrong form. At least they were doing it for a set fee.
Regards



X

c_smith

When my uncle died he left the RBOS to deal with everything. Their solicitors took well over a year to complete all the work and charged around £10,000 for their efforts. Bit of a rip-off I thought, but what can you do.