Will HMRC process probate within their 8 week timeframe?

MarkWatson

Got an email from HMRC when I applied for probate. It said this:

What happens next. We will contact you when we have received your documents. We will then review your application and issue your grant of probate within 8 weeks.

Yeah right...except (and much respect to them) that is exactly what they did do! The day before the deadline was up, yesterday (Saturday), I got an email:
We approved your probate application.

Credit where credit is due. And it is. Three cheers and much applause to HMRC, it was not by any means a straightforward case but they did what they said they would do in the time they said they would. Very impressive. I wish everyone else the best of luck with your applications, I hope you get similarly excellent service.

poppystar

That’s good news. Curious about what kind of not straightforward case it was? Serious enough to be referred to Manchester or just a minor issue?

MarkWatson

Not straightforward innasmuch as all the possible reliefs were claimed (up to £1 million), lots of gifts made in the past 7 years, property to sell (the value of which put the estate at just below the threshhold). 

poppystar

Thanks. I thought you had meant the probate rather than tax was complicated and was hoping you’d got probate despite that. I’m in a less than straightforward probate situation while the tax side is pretty straightforward. Just was hoping you could give me hope! Pleased yours has worked out well.