How long should probate take

drmonica

My sister died last year and our solicitor applied for probate in January, but it still hadn’t been granted.  How long is probate taking with Covid?  Is 3 months an unusual length of time? I am just surprised it had taken this long.

SevenOfNine

My condolences. That's a "how long is a piece of string" question, which may be why it hasn't been answered!

There's no precise timescale, it depends on too many variables.  All I can say is I did one late November, did it myself using the on-line facility as solicitors seem to have only 2 speeds, slow & stop. On top of that you give them all the information & they fill out the forms - frankly I can read, write & perfectly capable of completing forms myself so no need to pay someone else. 

The estate was below the IHT threshold (consisted of a house, bank, savings, a couple of gifts of money to declare, so nothing complex), I had to post the original, done by next day delivery.  Probate was granted, with the copies of the Grant on my doormat in less than 2 weeks.  Can't recall if it was 7 or 10 days, only that it was incredibly FAST - despite covid.

Savvy_Sue

And I think a lot depends on whether or not IHT was due. 

sue1976

We’ve been told by our solicitor that probate is taking much longer than usual and is now averaging 9-12 months.

JGB1955

My application took 10 days.... but that's not going to help you. I can only imagine that they are passing the 'easy' applications through in record times, knowing that the ones with 'issues/questions' will take longer.

Having said that, an application through a solicitor shouldn't take longer ... should it... because they know what they're doing?  Does sound like a bit of BS going on.

I would ask them for the date of the application...

SevenOfNine

You can have a look here https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate see if it's completed, not massively likely or you'd probably have heard from the solicitors, were they actually executors or did your parents employ them to deal with the probate application?

alisont

I did probate for my late Dad in March and probate took a month as in I received the grants exactly 4 weeks after application. I’d had concerns I’d not manage to complete it myself but decided to have a go and it was a lot easier than I’d thought it would be (but no complications or inheritance tax to pay and just me as executor) A family members probate at the start of lockdown last March took nearly 9 months so I was pleased Dads took 4 weeks. It does seem to take a lot longer with solicitors, I hope things speed up with your application.