Probate Office 31 October 2022 at 4:31PM in Deaths, funerals & probate 18 replies 1.5K views

neil7462

Hi, Does anyone know any other way to contact the probate office, they do not answer the phone or are available for webchat.
Do they have anyone working there, applied for probate in july!! I am dealing with a will where the person died in April 2021. The reason for applying so late I was trying to find a lost pension from the late 70,s. It has eventually been found and they require probate before releasing the funds

uknick

Try emailing them.  My experience is they take about 5 days to respond.

martin2345uk

I spoke them via the web chat this morning and last Monday! Not sure why it doesn’t work for you?

BigBadRobbo

Neil 7462 - I have had the same problem. The website shows that there is nobody available for a web chat and the telephone is not answered. I have emailed them as per previous reply from uknick.

BooJewels

It's a while since I did it, but I had web chat contact late at night a couple of times - it used to be 24 hours - don't know if it still is. 

But even then, it would say it wasn't available, then the display would change and you had to nip in quick before that opening closed again.  So just watch the screen and snag it as soon as becomes available.

BigBadRobbo

Web site states "All our advisors are busy. Try again in a few minutes." I have kept refreshing, but nothing seems to change.

Opening times are displayed on the site as:- "Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm .Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

Will give it a try at 8am

BooJewels

They must have changed their times, sorry. But I've certainly had success with organisations like HMRC and DWP by calling very first thing. 

A56

Like Neil7462 I can't get any answer from the Probate office. I applied for probate submitted 9 Aug, 12 weeks next Tuesday. There's no tax to pay and its very straightforward. I have sent 15 emails all of which have been ignored, I have sat on hold on the phone several times at different times of day and for waited an hour yesterday and still no answer. There isn't anyone on the web chat. I also sent a letter over a week ago and have heard nothing. I don't know what to do, its stressful enough being recently bereaved. Any advice on how I can get a response would be really appreciated

Cedartree123

According to the Law Society, its best to contact the probate office between 8am and 9am or 5pm and 6pm, with their quietest periods usually from Tuesday to Thursday, between 8am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm.

Full link for reference:

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/campaigns/court-reform/news/probate-service-update-july-2022

jdvhsully

We have been having issues since we applied for Probate on 31 December last year. No response to emails, claims of asking for information from us that have not been requested, web chat and phones unanswered. Whole system is ludicrous. Not sure who to complain to, but getting nowhere fast. 

grayson

Write to your MP. I did last week. The system is a complete joke. If this was a normal business they wouldn't be in business within a few weeks.