How long should a straightforward probate take to complete?

Dunree

Mrs D's dad passed away over four years ago now, and the probate still hasn't been completed.

She's tried to chase them up, but they seem, in my opinion, to be fobbing her off.

Her dad was a bus driver in his last job prior to retirement, and in the army for 30 years before that.

She was left the mortgage free home and her brother and sister received £28k each.

As far as we are aware, there isn't anything complicated, or at least she hasn't been informed of anything complicated.

So, given this, how long should it take??

Dunree

jackieblack

Dunree wrote: »

She's tried to chase them up, but they seem, in my opinion, to be fobbing her off.

Who is them/they?

Mojisola

Four years is a long time. Who are the executors?

PasturesNew

Ours took 2-3 months earlier this year.

Dunree

Mojisola wrote: »

Four years is a long time. Who are the executors?

Hi, it's a company called GLP Solicitors in Bury..

Mojisola

Dunree wrote: »

Hi, it's a company called GLP Solicitors in Bury..

Start by asking the Complaints Partner why the estate hasn't been settled.

http://www.glplaw.com/about.asp?PageId=26
The GLP Solicitors practices are committed to providing high quality legal advice and client care.

If you are unhappy about any aspect of the service you have received, or about the invoice or bill for professional services that has been issued, at the first instance please contact the Complaints Partner for each legal practice using the telephone number or email address shown on the relevant page on this website, or by by post.

Dunree

Mojisola wrote: »

Start by asking the Complaints Partner why the estate hasn't been settled.

http://www.glplaw.com/about.asp?PageId=26
The GLP Solicitors practices are committed to providing high quality legal advice and client care.

If you are unhappy about any aspect of the service you have received, or about the invoice or bill for professional services that has been issued, at the first instance please contact the Complaints Partner for each legal practice using the telephone number or email address shown on the relevant page on this website, or by by post.

Thanks very much Mojisola

Ho w long should a straightforward probate take though?

Dunree

Mrs D just phoned up.

Fobbed off again....:mad:

7_week_wonder

Dunree wrote: »

Thanks very much Mojisola

Ho w long should a straightforward probate take though?

From my experience:

Father died early May 2011: Probate granted end August 2011. Estate fully tied up (sorry can't remember the technical phrase) mid-Dec 2011.

Mother died early May this year: Probate granted end July 2015. Still a few things outstanding (mostly waiting for HMRC to work out mum's income tax position plus a couple of investments still to sell), but beneficiaries have received two interim distributions.

Both were pretty straightforward (house plus savings and a few investments) and were done by local solicitor instructed by me (as executor).

Dunree

7_week_wonder wrote: »

From my experience:

Father died early May 2011: Probate granted end August 2011. Estate fully tied up (sorry can't remember the technical phrase) mid-Dec 2011.

Mother died early May this year: Probate granted end July 2015. Still a few things outstanding (mostly waiting for HMRC to work out mum's income tax position plus a couple of investments still to sell), but beneficiaries have received two interim distributions.

Both were pretty straightforward (house plus savings and a few investments) and were done by local solicitor instructed by me (as executor).

This was the company chosen by her father unfortunately.

She called them up a short time ago but all of a sudden, once again, the guy wasn't available, even though the distinct impression was that the receptionist was talking to him.

She's now on the phone to the (edit) Legal Ombudsman. Hopefully they'll be able to do something.

Mojisola

Dunree wrote: »

How long should a straightforward probate take though?

Most executors would expect to be done by a year but it does depend on other things - the DWP can be very slow in sorting out whether there are any debts, if a house sale falls through the time for the estate to be finalised can get dragged out, etc.

Four years without regular explanations of any hold-ups is not good customer service.