Probate Delays

xylophone

I have now been waiting over 7 months for Grant of probate through Winchester Probate Registry.

You are going to have to insist that the solicitor chases it up.

You are paying him - he needs to earn his fee.

See https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/stories/law-society-seeks-clarity-around-probate-delays/

Has he tried the probate feedback linked in the above?

Cr18886

Solicitor chased up many times, by email, phone and letter to Winchester Probate Registry. No replies received to any. Phoning just gets a recorded message saying 12 weeks. Just want to get any kind of update...it’s a ridiculously hopeless situation.

xylophone

https://courttribunalfinder.service.gov.uk/courts/winchester-probate-registry

There is a public counter - would your solicitor make a personal call?

Cr18886

Am told by the Solicitor that any visits to the Offices in person result in being told to engage by the official email channel.

The_Bleurk

Dad died 2nd May.

Application for probate submitted online and fee paid 20th May.

Will etc mailed 23rd May - Royal Mail tracking says documents received by HMCTS next day.

HMCTS email 4th June to acknowledge documents received and the process should complete in 20 days!!!

Checked online and noticed website says expect completion in 8 weeks.

Phoned HMCTS 5th August (week 10) was advised 'the application is under review by the registrars' (ie in a big pile waiting) - unable to provide timescale.

Yesterday was 27 weeks since Dad died and we're now at week 23 since the acknowledgement email.

As far as I can tell there is no way of knowing what progress if any is being made nor any way of establishing status or expected completion.

I keep checking the online probate records which shows that most folks who died in May have only just been completing in the last four or five weeks.

This is just appalling. Frustrating or what? Any clues?

[Deleted User]

Clues to what?

You'll just need to wait for them to get round to it.

xylophone

You'll just need to wait for them to get round to it.

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/hmcts-pledge-on-delay-hit-probate-system/5101960.article

Solicitors remain sceptical, however. Samantha Hamilton, of London and Essex-based firm Mullis & Peake, told the Gazette: ‘We still have delays on older applications, as the probate registry has admitted that new applications are being dealt with more quickly.

‘We still await grants where the application was made in the summer. We have also seen an increase in errors that requires the return of the grant so it can be corrected and reissued.’

Jordan Dowling, from Pembrokeshire-based firm Price & Kelway, said she had seen no improvement in the situation and still had many grants of probate outstanding.

The_Bleurk

Hi Xylophone.

I have seen all the Gazette pieces and commented there.

What they say simply does not reconcile with the contents of the probate register which shows deaths in May have only just been granted probate in the last four or five weeks.

xylophone

What they say simply does not reconcile with the contents of the probate register which shows deaths in May have only just been granted probate in the last four or five weeks.

Which seems to agree with what was said in the post above that "older applications" are being delayed?

Cr18886

Yes I agree. Search’s on Gov.uk site shows Grant of Probate’s for estates where the deceased date of death is a lot more recent then my revised application date of 15th July. Just all adds to the stress and frustration, and the Probate Registry has the cheek to say that applications are processed in strict date order! Words fail me as to what a complete and utter shambles this situation is, and no accountability seemingly by those who caused it. The endless wait continues...