How long for probate?

davemorton

Anyone have an idea how long probate is taking at the moment please?  I know of  friend who sadly passed 18 month ago, and probate has still not been sorted there, but I know there was a few houses/businesses to deal with, but will all in order.  I am in the process of buying a house, and asked if they had probate, and have just been told that the papers have been submitted, just wondering if I should expect 18 month, or is it usually a lot quicker when it is just one house.  TIA

MovingForwards

It depends on the size (value) of the estate, whether IHT is due and HMRC are then involved and how busy the probate court is where the application was submitted.

You could always call the local probate office, where you think the application was sent, asking them how far their backlog is.

canaldumidi

You’ll usually get the grant of probate or letters of administration within 8 weeks of sending in your original documents. If you ordered copies of these documents for use outside the UK, these will take longer to arrive.

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), it’s taking longer to process paper applications than online applications.

You should not make any financial plans or put property on the market until you have received the grant of probate or letters of administration.

https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/after-youve-applied

Markneath

A relatives just took 9 months, nothing substantial house, some savings etc.

davemorton

Markneath said:

A relatives just took 9 months, nothing substantial house, some savings etc.

Yes, this was my worry.  I asked before submitting my offer if probate had been granted, but no reply came.  Now, after mortgage has been applied for, and solicitor engaged, the reply comes that it has not been granted, but the forms have been submitted. .  Hey ho, thats life! 

Kinglend

Just had probate granted for my fathers house, and savings. 4 weeks for submitting IHT 400 re Capital Gains Tax,before submitting probate application which took a further 16 weeks until grant received.  So frustrating. 

p00hsticks

Back in June my online application was processed in a week. Having been on the other side of the fence in the past when buying a property, I was waiting until we had probate before putting the house on the market, but the speed at which it was obtained took me by surprise.

davemorton

Many thanks for the replies.  So there is some light there at least.  

Catman5000

I have literally just gone through this on the buyer's side and it took quite some time. The owner had to go into a care home due to dementia and decision making fell to her son for the sale of the house. All very lengthy and the seller's lawyers were not the speediest. All in all, it took around 10 months from the offer accepted to moving in.

This was also delayed by land registry issues (half the garden was on another title.....nightmare) so I'd say it would have been 6 months or so if we didn't have that issue to deal with on top

Best of luck.

badger09

davemorton said:

Many thanks for the replies.  So there is some light there at least.  

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

You can check here to see if/when Probate is granted.

canaldumidi

Kinglend said:

Just had probate granted for my fathers house, and savings. 4 weeks for submitting IHT 400 re Capital Gains Tax,before submitting probate application which took a further 16 weeks until grant received.  So frustrating. 

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