How long does a probate take?

techno79

I'm hoping to buy a house that requires a probate to be complete. It's already been about 6 weeks since they applied for it. How long does it take to acquire. I Google Searched and it seems like it takes several months but the estate agent says that it has gotten quicker recently and take 6 to 8-weeks. Is this true? How long does it take? What questions can I ask to ensure it will be done sooner rather than later?

FreeBear

There is nothing you can do to speed up the process of probate being granted. The executors are at the mercy of HM Courts.

techno79

Sorry, I meant: what questions can I ask so I can know whether it is likely to be done sooner rather than later e.g. whether there was a will.

But the bigger question is, is what the estate agent said, the truth?

[Deleted User]

The state agent is probably guessing to avoid you walking away.  I've never met an estate agent who knows their clients circumstances enough to give an accurate answer to how long probate would take.

If rhey are applying for probate then by definition, there was a will
Are you likely to ask an estate agent (or get the estate agent to ask) about overseas properties, share portfolios, if any assets were shared, if the will is being contested etc etc

The only thing you can ask is:

Are the executors still happy to sell to me at the same price? 
Am I happy to wait as long as it takes (6months+) for probate to be granted. 

UnderOffer

I’d aim for 6 months and anything less is a bonus. Friends have just gone through this and waited 6 months for probate to be granted. This was on a straightforward, non disputed will. They did communicate with local probate office who advised that they’d normally take up to 3 months to process but due to a new computer system it was taking longer. 
Also try and calrify the exact date probate was applied for. Our friends were told by EA, “yeah yeah it’s been submitted” but they later found out it was about another 8 weeks before it had actually been applied for. EA will say anything to keep you hooked. 

techno79

I've been told that it was applied for in mid January. Yes, it is my concern that probate will take much longer and that estate agent is just saying it will be completed any week now, just to keep me from walking away.

Cakeguts

Probate for my mother's estate took 2 years.

Taffoire

Dad died 2nd February, Probate applied for online 17th February, granted today (2nd March) for us.
Estate less than £120k including house and bank accounts, my sister and I are only beneficiaries, Brother In Law is Executor

trex227

My uncles took over 5 years. Initially delayed due to someone potentially disputing it which came to nothing. Then delayed by a dispute with HMRC over valuations.
Do you know if the family are doing probate themselves or if solicitors are doing it? Having worked at a solicitors I would say doing it yourself can be much quicker if the estate is really straightforward.

techno79

Probate was applied for in mid January so it's already been almost 6 weeks already. Hopefully, it will come through in a couple more weeks. They are applying via solicitors.

Thrugelmir

If probate has been applied for and the property marketed. Then it seems no issues have been envisaged in probate being granted by the Court. You can only wait unfortunately.