Probate timescales

Sarahspangles

lisyloo said:

Can anyone confirm what level of detail is provided in the on-line HMCTS account (it's not in my name).
Is it just "in progress" or does it detail the stages the application goes through.

We now have cash buyer for our house.

There’s no tracking information.  In fact if I log in and look at the two we’ve submitted the status says ‘Submitted’ even though they’ve been granted.  Once probate has been granted an email goes to the executor and the HMCTS account is of historical interest only.

After a few hours the date probate was granted can be found on gov.uk’s ‘Find a Will’ page. 

lisyloo

Thanks. I think I misinterpreted this which I think refers to a commercial product and not the hmcts account.

“When you create an online account with MyHMCTS, you will create login details for your probate application process. The probate service keeps your record up-to-date with progress and will detail each step as it is completed so that you can track it.”

Sarahspangles

MyHMCTS is the version of the portal for solicitors etc.  I don’t know whether they get more information about progress than individuals applying online.  

The only milestones in our most recent application through the individual portal seem to have been online submission received - payment received - will received by post - will scanned in and attached to electronic submission - case reviewed and probate granted.  There was no change in the progress status at all after the application was submitted and paid, until the arrival of the email to say it had been granted.  

Jowwie

Online shows me nothing really.

I didn't get emails of will received by post or will scanned. I contacted them last week to check they had it , which they did.

Still waiting on the grant though. 11 weeks now.

lisyloo

Sarahspangles said:

MyHMCTS is the version of the portal for solicitors etc.  I don’t know whether they get more information about progress than individuals applying online.  

The only milestones in our most recent application through the individual portal seem to have been online submission received - payment received - will received by post - will scanned in and attached to electronic submission - case reviewed and probate granted.  There was no change in the progress status at all after the application was submitted and paid, until the arrival of the email to say it had been granted.  

Sorry if I’m being thick, but where do you see the milestone information?

Sarahspangles

lisyloo said:

Sarahspangles said:

MyHMCTS is the version of the portal for solicitors etc.  I don’t know whether they get more information about progress than individuals applying online.  

The only milestones in our most recent application through the individual portal seem to have been online submission received - payment received - will received by post - will scanned in and attached to electronic submission - case reviewed and probate granted.  There was no change in the progress status at all after the application was submitted and paid, until the arrival of the email to say it had been granted.  

Sorry if I’m being thick, but where do you see the milestone information?

You can’t see them - they’re just the steps I’ve picked up that make up the process (this stuff is my field, I can’t help it!).  There are only really two points where there is active consideration of the application, the scanning which looks at the condition of the will, and the review after which Probate is (for most) granted and an email sent automatically.  It’s relatively simple in other words.

lisyloo

Thank you for the explanation.
We have been amazingly lucky with our house sale.
A developer wants to buy it for cash ASAP.
Unfortunately we have 2 probates (tenants in common).
I am not sure whether a long but properly written will with trusts means they will refer it to another department or whether they will see it's done by a solicitor and just rubber stamp ???

Sarahspangles

We could really do with a mole in the Probate department!  I think the things they look at are stuff like whether the Will could have been tampered with, that it’s the Executors who are applying (or if not, confirmation why not e.g. died/resigned) and possibly at a high level whether the values declared look right. Probate is a formal record that you’re going to act on the Will, the public record of who is acting on what is the key bit.

lisyloo

ok that all sounds good. Thanks again for the explanation.
Properly drawn up will. Original executors. Original will.
2 similar small-ish estates with half a house in each.

It's just amazed me how quickly things can move. Developer turned up on Sunday, offer negotiated Monday (including all beneficiaries), prepared to exchange in 1 week.

Sarahspangles

That is fast!  The bungalow within the estate we’re dealing with sold within a week, and we’re six weeks into the bit leading up to exchange.  The estate agent said it’s normally twenty weeks from agreeing an offer to completion.  Luckily probate was confirmed a week after acceptance, as the buyer is what they call ‘motivated’.  Which is good, as it’s a lovely bungalow and they’ll hopefully be enjoying MIL’s roses this summer.