Delay with Newcastle Probate Office

thestens

Hello,
My solicitor sent off all the necessary stuff regarding my mum's estate to the Probate Office in Newcastle about 2 months ago. About 3 weeks ago they asked for a copy of her Spanish will (regarding a holiday home in Spain, left to me, her daughter). Since then we have heard nothing. The solicitor's clerk says its not worth ringing them as they will do it in their own time.
The estate is very close to the inheritance tax threshold, just below if they accept my valuations. There are also complications as the solicitor is claiming part of the nil rate allowance for her first and second husbands, to make up one full allowance and her first husband died in 1968 (yes, I know this shouldn't work but he has spoken to HMRC and says it will).
Would those reasons be why the probate is taking so long to come through? Is it worth ringing the probate office myself?

jamei305

By all means ring, I've found them and other probate offices very helpful. They should tell you if they are waiting for anything or when you should expect to hear from them.

Crabapple

I don't see any harm in ringing given the timescale - that is a long while.

HMRC shouldn't delay the application, they normally send the receipt form pretty quickly then process and look at figures later.