Probate process

Tony_Syke

I had an offer accepted on a property going through probate back in June.

I was told by the EA it was only a couple of months off....and the vendor just needed grant of probate.

Anyhow, recent update that the figures for the probate application are OK- I assume this means the estate valuation was correct and now the application for probate can start?

Be interested to know other peoples experiences on this, so it could be 8 weeks + from here?

Thanks

Tony

p00hsticks

It's a 'how long is a piece of string' type question, I'm afraid - l had an probate application turned around in ten days back in June, but it was a straightforward non-contentious estate with no IHT to pay.

From what you write it sounds like the executor has submitted the valuation, needed to pay IHT and has now done so, so that the probate application can go ahead - but how long that might take is anyone's guess.

Personally, having like you been on the other end of a probate sale, I feel it's a bit bad form to be marketing a property before even submitting the probate application, and I waited until I had the grant in my hand before putting it on the market - but that's just my personal opinion.

SevenOfNine

All below IHT threshold but we've marketed 3 properties over the years as "subject to probate", it's quite common so the searches etc can start, but the buyer knows the completion date will depend on probate/LoA completion, & as p00sticks says "how long is a piece of string" for that.

The most recent process was when my mum died early November 2020. Probate grants arrived in less than a fortnight after I sent it in & the sale completed in January, 10 weeks after she'd died. Even I was astounded at the speed, DiY probate application & a good EA.

Tony_Syke

Thanks, totally agree with not marketing until its ready to sell.

I was told they had a late fee to pay of £250 so assume they were just at the valuation fee and not the application of probate. Guess I have to sit tight longer, a very frustrating process for all!

Thrugelmir

People are often overly optimistic in how long it takes just to get to a position of applying for probate. Wading through somebody elses paperwork can be a time consuming exercise. 

Tony_Syke

Yes, definitely better to have a glass half empty view on it!

[Deleted User]

I used a company called Farewill to do my late fathers probate 
it was applied for on the 5th Oct and they emailed me yesterday to say that it had been granted 
so around 6 weeks 

EasySolution

FYI

This is the latest notice from the Probate Registry: "

Probate Users - We’re currently focusing our resources on bringing down the waiting time for those applications which have had to be stopped. This will mean that for a short period of time new applications will take longer for us to process. Please continue to submit your applications as normal and use the dashboard to check the current status of your case."

SevenOfNine

Thrugelmir said:

People are often overly optimistic in how long it takes just to get to a position of applying for probate. Wading through somebody elses paperwork can be a time consuming exercise. 

Earlier in the year it was worse, remember this? https://politics.readsector.com/2021/07/14/blundering-essex-firm-exela-technologies-admits-losing-families-wills/

Anyone buying a probate house should be clearly told that's what it is before entering into the purchase, & that it comes with an unknown deadline for completion. Assuming the property is empty the beneficiaries only have 6 months of 'free' council tax once probate/LoA is granted, hence "subject to probate" with the buyer expected to make progress with their pre-purchase searches etc. But that only benefits the seller, the buyer can end up with a very long wait when probate/LoA is delayed, so must go into this with their wide eyes open.

SiliconChip

EasySolution said:

FYI

This is the latest notice from the Probate Registry: "

Probate Users - We’re currently focusing our resources on bringing down the waiting time for those applications which have had to be stopped. This will mean that for a short period of time new applications will take longer for us to process. Please continue to submit your applications as normal and use the dashboard to check the current status of your case."

While I'm sure your right that they are saying this real life experience doesn't match this. I submitted my application on 12th November, the grant was confirmed by email on the 17th and the phsyical grants that I'd ordered arrived on the 19th.

There are more comments on the existing probate thread here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6305129/probate-timescales-oct-21-any-recent-experience/