In 8 months my probate solicitors have done nothing. What can I do?

tooldle

Ok, I see no reason not to write and ask for an update.
The solicitors last letter to you was six months ago.
As a beneficiary it is not unreasonable to ask for an indication of when matters will be concluded. 
I'd stay away from raising concerns about security of empty properties etc. Although i understand your concern, this is separate to your beneficiary status. 

[Deleted User]

This has progressed since I last posted.

I have only discovered this by searching records online. Despite promising to keep us all updated the solicitors have not been in contact to inform us of anything.

I gather that the solicitors are not required to tell the people mentioned in the will anything; however, they did promise to keep us informed.

My grandmother died January 2022.  Probate was granted on 22 August 2022. I gather that since Covid the probate department has a backlog of work, so this process now takes longer.

The property was finally listed for sale on the 14th October 2022.

Still no offers on the property which is not surprising given the current state of the economy, property market, interest rate hikes, etc...

It seems this is possibly the worst time during the last three decades to try and sell a property and I don't see much that is optimistic looking forwards.

Keep_pedalling

Deleted_User said:I

This has progressed since I last posted.

I have only discovered this by searching records online. Despite promising to keep us all updated the solicitors have not been in contact to inform us of anything.

I gather that the solicitors are not required to tell the people mentioned in the will anything; however, they did promise to keep us informed.

My grandmother died January 2022.  Probate was granted on 22 August 2022. I gather that since Covid the probate department has a backlog of work, so this process now takes longer.

The property was finally listed for sale on the 14th October 2022.

Still no offers on the property which is not surprising given the current state of the economy, property market, interest rate hikes, etc...

It seems this is possibly the worst time during the last three decades to try and sell a property and I don't see much that is optimistic looking forwards.

9 months for solicitors completing the probate process is not unusual and if anything could probably be considered less than average. Unfortunately as you say this is not the best time to sell a house so you could be looking at another 9 months or more before the house is sold and the estate wound up. 

GhibliFan

Deleted_User said:

I have only discovered this by searching records online. Despite promising to keep us all updated the solicitors have not been in contact to inform us of anything.

I gather that the solicitors are not required to tell the people mentioned in the will anything; however, they did promise to keep us informed.

Look on the bright side, they charge you for every letter and phone call so being able to check online will save you some money.  I wish you the best of luck; I found out this year how frustrating & stressful it can be to wind up an estate. 

GDB2222

It could be much worse. For example, the solicitors might have listed the property for sale in August, and had an offer. That would have cost the estate legal fees dealing with the sale, but a lot of sales are falling apart, as mortgage costs have gone up - either for the buyers or for someone in their chain. 

Are you satisfied that the property has been priced sensibly for the current market?

macman

Deleted_User said:

This has progressed since I last posted.

I have only discovered this by searching records online. Despite promising to keep us all updated the solicitors have not been in contact to inform us of anything.

I gather that the solicitors are not required to tell the people mentioned in the will anything; however, they did promise to keep us informed.

My grandmother died January 2022.  Probate was granted on 22 August 2022. I gather that since Covid the probate department has a backlog of work, so this process now takes longer.

The property was finally listed for sale on the 14th October 2022.

Still no offers on the property which is not surprising given the current state of the economy, property market, interest rate hikes, etc...

It seems this is possibly the worst time during the last three decades to try and sell a property and I don't see much that is optimistic looking forwards.

I don't know what makes you think that. Yes, mortgage rates are now rising, but they're still extremely low by historical standards, and in most areas there are far more buyers than sellers. Also, had it been marketed before September, the SDLT would have been higher. It's very much a seller's market still. As long as it's priced realistically, it should sell in a reasonable period-although things are traditionally quieter now until the spring. 

[Deleted User]

GhibliFan said:

Look on the bright side, they charge you for every letter and phone call so being able to check online will save you some money.  I wish you the best of luck; I found out this year how frustrating & stressful it can be to wind up an estate. 

Yes, that is a good point. And with property apps it is easy to check if offers have been made.

Thank you for the kind sentiments. It is stressful and seems to be such a slow process.

[Deleted User]

GDB2222 said:

Are you satisfied that the property has been priced sensibly for the current market?

I don't know.  I confess I know little about house prices.

Here is a link to the property:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128032331

[Deleted User]

macman said:

I don't know what makes you think that. Yes, mortgage rates are now rising, but they're still extremely low by historical standards, and in most areas there are far more buyers than sellers. Also, had it been marketed before September, the SDLT would have been higher. It's very much a seller's market still. As long as it's priced realistically, it should sell in a reasonable period-although things are traditionally quieter now until the spring. 

I know little about property prices. I think the negative news stories have influenced my pessimism.

I certainly hope that you are right.  I didn't know this is a quiet time, but that does make sense.

I will hope that things pick up in the spring.

GDB2222

Deleted_User said:

GDB2222 said:

Are you satisfied that the property has been priced sensibly for the current market?

I don't know.  I confess I know little about house prices.

Here is a link to the property:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128032331

I’m sure that there’s a good market for bungalows in Bognor. I’m not so sure about that bungalow at that price, though. Four bedrooms, needing a shedload of work. That could linger on the market at the best of times. 

It may appeal to someone downsizing, who won’t need a mortgage. 

I’m unimpressed by the steps up to the front door, as someone looking for a bungalow may well have trouble with steps, but there’s plenty of space to install a ramp.