How long for Probate?

MrsSimsy

Hello,

Our solicitor applied for GOP around 3 weeks ago. We've politely asked for an update only to receive a terse reply stating that 'it is impossible to say'. Apparently, as the rules are changing in April the Probate offices are inundated. I realise that it would be difficult to be precise but 3 weeks in, are we talking a further 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years? Google search says 3-6 weeks average but is this still the case? The solicitor has essentially said she's billing for every email so I don't want to keep adding to my families total bill.

I wish I had just applied to do it myself!

Thank you.

SevenOfNine

How long is a piece of string?

Yes, 3-6 weeks may be considered pretty much 'normal' in my experience (twice), neither involved IHT to slow the process. In all likelihood you're going to get answers of faster & slower though!

I'd heed the solicitor's warning, they rack up costs as fast as possible so best to be patient. Is there a reason you're asking them after only 3 weeks?

MrsSimsy

Thank you. IHT is not applicable in this case either. Only that the probate is for a property that is SSTC. The buyer knows that it is a probate sale but when I saw an average of 3-6 weeks online I thought I'd just ask the solicitor and I was just a little surprised by the 'impossible to say' comment.

I'll be patient and hope that it's sooner rather than later. Thanks again.

Owain_Moneysaver

It is impossible to say for an individual case; the Probate office will take as long as it takes and there isn't anything that can be done to hurry them, or HMRC.

SevenOfNine

I wondered if it might be a house sale pending that prompted your question. The solicitor has answered honestly, but hopefully the searches etc are underway for the sale as most likely all that will take longer than the Grant.

Vaguely amusing for a solicitor to imply the probate offices are inundated, (presumably in anticipation of fee changes).........people pass away when they pass away, it isn't hastened along so family can apply earlier before fee increases!

You could ring the most likely probate office used perhaps (or try a few), see what they say regarding estimated current timescale, give you a rough idea.

Owain_Moneysaver

SevenOfNine wrote: »

Vaguely amusing for a solicitor to imply the probate offices are inundated, (presumably in anticipation of fee changes).........people pass away when they pass away, it isn't hastened along so family can apply earlier before fee increases!

A lot of people do pass away in winter though, and if there's a significant saving people are more likely to press ahead with a probate application rather than leaving it for a few months.

castle96

Probate sent in weeks ago (old rates). If rates do go up, then probate granted..., which rate applies, old or new ?

thanks

badger09

castle96 wrote: »

Probate sent in weeks ago (old rates). If rates do go up, then probate granted..., which rate applies, old or new ?

thanks

The fee for Grant of Probate is paid when the application is made.

Why would you think the rate already paid would change?

Keep_pedalling

I thought you paid at the time of application, if so that is the fee that applies.