probate problems? 5 June 2022 at 12:26PM in Deaths, funerals & probate 26 replies 3.4K views

coolcats

How long should probate take? Person died in November, still no news on probate, although should be straight forward as beneficiaries are also executor. Paperwork filled in together. No inheritance tax to pay. Is this normal or could there be a problem. Thanks

bobster2

Not clear what you're asking. How long does it typically take to receive the grant of probate after it's been applied for by the Executor? Or how long would you expect it to take before an Executor submits the application? Or both?

Who the beneficiaries are shouldn't affect either of these - except to the extent that an Executor might feel motivated to work faster if they are also a beneficiary.

coolcats

How long does it take to receive probate after its applied for? Sorry its not clear.

JGB1955

coolcats said:

How long does it take to receive probate after its applied for? Sorry its not clear.

Anything from 7 days to 7+ months.

coolcats

so being 5/6 months could be seen as normal for what should be a simple estate. 

greyteam1959

I have just been told by our solicitor that we are looking at 8 to 12 weeks.
That is from sending in the paperwork & relates to a simple estate.

fromdusktilldawn

greyteam1959 said:

I have just been told by our solicitor that we are looking at 8 to 12 weeks.
That is from sending in the paperwork & relates to a simple estate.

I am at 9 weeks for a simple application and still waiting. You can only phone after 8 weeks and I have been told that the paperwork is with the Brighton office which does not have a telephone number for enquiries, only an email. Not had a reply by email yet. 

propertyhunter

Try this webchat if they don't have a telephone number for enquiries (courtesy of @warfield in another thread)

https://www.apply-for-probate.service.gov.uk/avaya-webchat

kipsterno1

As above. It does seem a long time if as you say it is straight forward and they haven't requested further information. If you haven't already chased it up do it now. I used the web chat twice and on both occasions it was helpful. The first confirmed that the documents were on the system. The second resulted in it being reviewed and pushed through the system as it was just sat waiting. 

DE_612183

I had mine through ( for my brother ) a few weeks back - he died in October - apparently the Probate office "lost" the original paperwork and had to be re-sent

Mrs_Z

I'm also dealing with a simple estate with no inheritance tax to pay. Applied for a probate on 14/3, received acknowledgement on 28/4 to say it may take up to 8 weeks.  So I'm expecting / hoping that by end of this month we will have received it.  It's really frustrating.