after grant of probate

G6JNS

fredsnail wrote: »

It took us 3 months to receive the final bill for a relatives care - we couldn't apply for probate until they gave us this figure as it was a significant debt.

Unless the estate is likely to be insolvent or close to the IHT threshold estimates will do for probate as adjustments can easily be done post grant. Having said that the solicitor probably has little incentive to hurry.

BobQ

OP, a year is unlikely but not impossible.

You may be intrigued so read the stickies.

A solicitor has other work to do than deal with one estate.

Gathering the information to apply for probate can take time, advertising for debts in the London Gazette takes time to allow for responses, the firms they may contact (about pensions for example) may take weeks to respond, the probate process might take 6 weeks to sort, maybe there are life policies to deal with, maybe the home has submitted an inflated account, there many be tax issues, then they need to produce a statement of account. All of this assumes the Will is clearly drawn up, if it is not then that might also delay things. Or it could have conditional clauses that need checking/resolving.

If things go smoothly it might take 6 months but sometimes things do not go smoothly. Be patient until you have reason to do otherwise.

Keep an eye on the probate website. When granted you will know that things are progressing. Pay for a copy and you might see why there is a delay. Or contact them in a few months to ask what the situation is.

someguyfromwales

Probate has already been granted we have that, it was done on 13 of march was just wondering why it takes so long after that

g6jns_2

someguyfromwales wrote: »

Probate has already been granted we have that, it was done on 13 of march was just wondering why it takes so long after that

Assuming the solicitor publishes the statutory notice so that any unknown creditors are barred from claiming after two months it should not take more than three months. Having said that it could take much longer.

Norman_Castle

My question is could it really take up to a year? it doesn't matter if it does just seems a bit unbelievable

it doesn't really matter to me if I don't get anything at the end of it was just a bit puzzeled how it could take a year in the fast digital age that we live in these days.

I just don't understand the process of why its even months and not just a few weeks,

I'm just intreaged as to how it takes so long to find these things out and pay them,

Probate has already been granted we have that, it was done on 13 of march was just wondering why it takes so long after that

If you were this persistent with the same question to the solicitors its no surprise they became rude.

Shelldean

Maybe DWP are involved? They take ages sorting themselves out.
A simple overpayment of benefits could result in a lengthy delay.

In our case death March 14. Probate Jun 14. Also in Jun 14 we received a letter from DWP asking for more info, and requesting estate not distributed until they finish their enquiries. That letter asked all form in by beginning of Aug, and they duly was. We next heard mid Feb, asking for more detailed information, with deadline of end of March. Again duly sent. We know it been received as acknowledgment been sent. But again we're waiting.

Death was almost thirteen months ago now, probate was delayed whilst we obtained information till late Jun. But we're 9 months since probate was granted now. I suspect we'll be well over the year before we distribute.


But I do acknowledge our estate despite being simple is not run of the mill.

But dwp might be a reason for delay.

SevenOfNine

Probate was granted quickly but, like Shelldean, fund distribution was delayed 5 months because DWP wanted info regarding deceased relative's Attendance Allowance claim.

She had died with over 30k but had been in receipt of this allowance. I was asked to go back 8 years to date of original claim & supply a bank statement. Barclays were prompt & helpful sending what they had from 6 years back.

DWP got the evidence that she had no money when claiming but it still took them months after receiving it to say so. A solicitor wouldn't distribute funds until then & doesn't usually have the same incentive to get a move on either.

Mojisola

someguyfromwales wrote: »

What sort of things do they have to deal with? I have no idea how it works but I thought they had to find out what needed paying before they get the grant then isn't it simply just sent some money to a bunch of people/companies then all bills paid why does it take so long?

Being able to pay bilks in an instant with a quick telephone call or click of the mouse I just don't understand the process of why its even months and not just a few weeks, again thanks for the replies guys :-)

It's clear you don't understand how it works! It's not just a case of looking at a few bills, paying online and settling things.

It's surprising how many companies out there react as if they've never had a case of a customer dying before. Finalising Dad's estate was held up for months because of one tiny insurance policy Mum took out in the 1940s on Dad's life. The insurance company wanted to pay out to Mum but Mum was already dead and they didn't seem to have any mechanism to pay out to Dad's estate or anyone else.

G6JNS

SevenOfNine wrote: »

Probate was granted quickly but, like Shelldean, fund distribution was delayed 5 months because DWP wanted info regarding deceased relative's Attendance Allowance claim.

She had died with over 30k but had been in receipt of this allowance. I was asked to go back 8 years to date of original claim & supply a bank statement. Barclays were prompt & helpful sending what they had from 6 years back.

DWP got the evidence that she had no money when claiming but it still took them months after receiving it to say so. A solicitor wouldn't distribute funds until then & doesn't usually have the same incentive to get a move on either.

The way the DWP behave is appalling. Attendance allowance is not means tested so there is no excuse whatsoever for them taking ages or even asking questions.

dzug1

G6JNS wrote: »

Apart from anything the statutory notice may show up the executors must know all the figures otherwise they can't complete the probate forms. Take a look at the stickies for more information.

I've experienced a solicitor publishing the statutory notice nearly 5 months after getting probate, so they cannot have had all the necessary information when applying


And that was after taking a year plus to get probate and having had all the information spoon fed to him