Slowed to a standstill!

WibblyGirly

I think my partner waited over 6 months for his inheritance as the property needed to be sold.

I'd start looking around a few houses just to see what else is out there whilst the chain is uncertain.

Margot123

I had an offer accepted on a Probate property back in mid October 2017. I checked the executor had been granted Probate and that the deeds were located. Everything was OK.

Then last week, my solicitor rang to say the property was still in joint names, one of whom had died 12 years previously, and there just happens to be a mistake on their death certificate so it isn't straightforward to get them removed. Not only that, there are still land charges on the property that need to be discharged. It could take several months to sort out.

So, even if Probate is granted very quickly (possibly within 2 weeks) there can be various other issues arising such as in my case.

We are still looking at other properties just in case this goes on too long. I suggest you have some in reserve too.

martindow

The speed of probate is dependant on the efficiency of the executors. After a bereavement some people do not feel up to dealing with much more than registering the death as they are obliged to do in a short time scale.

Some people find it difficult to face up to searching out all of the paperwork, filling the probate forms and getting on with it. Even if the winding up of the estate is straightforward it can still take a long time.

TBagpuss

Winding up an estate can take a long time, and as this is your seller's seller (if I've understood correctly) you'd need to get your seller to chase up and try to get an idea of what is happening.

It would be reasonable for you to start looking at other properties. If your sellers are keen to sell, then they could either consider proceeding with the sale, and renting until the property they want to buy is ready, or they can look elsewhere and try to make a new chain. If they are in no hurry then they may simply take the view that if you find a different property, so be it, they will find a new buyer.

If you want to chase, chase via the agents. Your solicitors are not dealing with your seller's seller.

T4taylor

Thanks everyone for your replies, apologies for dragging up an old thread but I feel to be getting no further. On Feb 2nd I emailed my solicitor, following your advice in asking her to chase things with vendors solicitors and to make apparent the fact that we want to break the chain. She emailed back to say there had been no response and they would continue to chase it. Another email on the 6th saying the same thing however no mention of her tell them that we want to break the chain.
Anyway this weekend we went to see some other houses (1 of which was also lovely but turns out also had probate!!!)

We have contacted our vendor!!!8217;s EA to try and arrange another viewing. We have thought about speaking to the vendor face to face about breaking the chain. What do you think about this?