Probate was granted while I was in the web chat with them

jcuurthht

So I have been waiting for probate since March 8. Today I used the web chat (not for the first time) to ask for an update. The nice gentleman queried the application for me, and during our web chat session I received an email saying probate was granted. I mentioned this to the man in the chat and he laughed and said that was a result of him querying the application.

So if there is anyone else still waiting, go here and see if that triggers an approval: https://www.apply-for-probate.service.gov.uk/avaya-webchat

I've read a few instances of people having their application approved shortly after contacting the probate office. I guess they just sit in a queue waiting for us to trigger a review.

propertyhunter

That's good to know. What were the circumstances of the probate application? Was IHT due on the estate? 

Also, just to confirm, did you apply for probate on the 8th March? In which case it's been 14 weeks to the day. 

jcuurthht

propertyhunter said:

That's good to know. What were the circumstances of the probate application? Was IHT due on the estate? 

Also, just to confirm, did you apply for probate on the 8th March? In which case it's been 14 weeks to the day. 

No inheritance was due. 2022 death.

Feb 25: Application received by HMCTS.

March 8: They asked for extra information from the witnesses because my mum's signature was considered shaky and unclear. They needed an affidavit from the witness that the Will was created correctly. This process took a long time to get done on my end.

May 10: Affidavit sent to HMCTS

June 14: Probate approved

So they were quick to initially respond, and took just over a month after receiving the affidavit.

JJWSJS8700

Oh so the probate office do investigate if they think something looks not right.

Just tried the link but it said 5 mins then -1 hour.

Thsnk you

jcuurthht

JJWSJS8700 said:

Oh so the probate office do investigate if they think something looks not right.

Just tried the link but it said 5 mins then -1 hour.

Thsnk you

They do, however the signature in this case to my eye wasn't shaky or unclear. But I suspect they have some criteria

JJWSJS8700

Your case is 100% genuine.

im delighted the probate office registrar investigates about signatures on wills, does anybody else know what else they inspect?

warfield

JJWSJS8700 said:

Just tried the link but it said 5 mins then -1 hour.

This link skips the "We are too busy come back later" screen : https://www.apply-for-probate.service.gov.uk/avaya-webchat

It rarely takes as long as it says to get connected.

Don't go off to make a cup of tea while you are waiting becuase it can go from 1 hour to "Hello" immediately.

Another good tip is to type out your questions in Notepad before you connect and then you can copy and paste them instantly when you are in chat.

JJWSJS8700

Thank you very much.

bunnygo

(Excuse inappropriate forum name, can't change it from years ago).  Just to say many thanks for that link which got me through to an advisor. As a result the answer I gave to their query 10 days ago has now been uploaded.  However it seems that this now gives them a further six weeks from the date that I replied. If they send you a query, don't hang about with your response.

Dave_5150

bunnygo said:

(Excuse inappropriate forum name, can't change it from years ago).  Just to say many thanks for that link which got me through to an advisor. As a result the answer I gave to their query 10 days ago has now been uploaded.  However it seems that this now gives them a further six weeks from the date that I replied. If they send you a query, don't hang about with your response.

No guarantees that it will be sorted ny then either, although I hope yours is. I replied to a query they raised six weeks after applying within 10 minutes but it still took them a futher eight weeks to approve despite been a simple estate. 

 

JJWSJS8700

What was their query, mine is 8 months long, I’m hoping it is going to a registrar to sort, that what they said.