Probate : 16 weeks and counting

handful

BooJewels said:

Most articles online over-egg the process rather, as they're written by people offering Probate services, trying to intimidate you into using their services, by making it sound onerous and frightening for a lay person to undertake.

I'm sure that's the case but I also think that a professional application for probate is scrutinised less and hence usually completed more quickly so the charges that seemed expensive at the start may turn out to be a bargain! The application I'm currently involved with took 4 weeks in total up to receiving confirmation in writing. Of course we may have just been lucky!

BooJewels

handful said:

BooJewels said:

Most articles online over-egg the process rather, as they're written by people offering Probate services, trying to intimidate you into using their services, by making it sound onerous and frightening for a lay person to undertake.

I'm sure that's the case but I also think that a professional application for probate is scrutinised less and hence usually completed more quickly so the charges that seemed expensive at the start may turn out to be a bargain! The application I'm currently involved with took 4 weeks in total up to receiving confirmation in writing. Of course we may have just been lucky!

I think luck has certainly been an issue for you - we read of as many cases here where using solicitors have significantly slowed the process - often due to mistakes they've made which are tricky to untangle.  So I think you've perhaps had luck on your side in respect of the time Probate took and in using a pro that didn't make a mistake.

Mothman

Just heard today that we have been granted probate for an online application made on Feb 14th. We had confirmation from HMRC the week we made the application that IHT had been settled to their satisfaction so we new that there should be no delay on that score.
Feel incredibly fortunate as the process is obviously a complete lottery at the moment and it shouldn't be like that. I really feel for those experiencing unacceptable delays.

oglop

handful said:

BooJewels said:

Most articles online over-egg the process rather, as they're written by people offering Probate services, trying to intimidate you into using their services, by making it sound onerous and frightening for a lay person to undertake.

I'm sure that's the case but I also think that a professional application for probate is scrutinised less and hence usually completed more quickly so the charges that seemed expensive at the start may turn out to be a bargain! The application I'm currently involved with took 4 weeks in total up to receiving confirmation in writing. Of course we may have just been lucky!

I used a solicitor for exactly this reason. Still waiting after 9 months

ArGee68

Unbelievable.

I have now reached 19 weeks and it is 3 weeks since my application was escalated so I have just tried to phone the probate office but was greeted with the message that the probate office is now closed for the bank holiday and was promptly cut off.  

So a government department that has massive backlogs and is in complete shambles has decided to close for an extra long bank holiday weekend.  In my world, both today and Saturday are working days but not if you work in an essential government department that is in meltdown.

They should be ashamed.  This probate system is a complete joke.

 

tooldle

BooJewels said:

I think what I meant @tooldle was just how much do they check in an application - how deep does it go, therefore how long does each one take?  Do they read the will and ensure the names and addresses tally with the application form, do they research property values to see if the estate value is plausible, do they check the ID of the executors applying etc. etc.  I don't know how much attention they give to 'proving' the will. 

Most articles online over-egg the process rather, as they're written by people offering Probate services, trying to intimidate you into using their services, by making it sound onerous and frightening for a lay person to undertake.

Property wise, I don’t know for certain but am assuming the district valuer is involved. The legality of the will is checked, signatures in correct place, witnessed correctly etc. 
I last applied in 2013 and cannot remember how the id check was handled. My address did not match that given in the will. This might have been covered by the ‘swearing process’ for which I was id checked. 

KSS1991

ArGee68 said:

Unbelievable.

I have now reached 19 weeks and it is 3 weeks since my application was escalated so I have just tried to phone the probate office but was greeted with the message that the probate office is now closed for the bank holiday and was promptly cut off.  

So a government department that has massive backlogs and is in complete shambles has decided to close for an extra long bank holiday weekend.  In my world, both today and Saturday are working days but not if you work in an essential government department that is in meltdown.

They should be ashamed.  This probate system is a complete joke.

 

Wow thanks for this information. I guess now we all should forget about it till Tuesday as nothing will be done. Anyone had positive outcomes who applied early December 22?

oglop

ArGee68 said:

Unbelievable.

I have now reached 19 weeks and it is 3 weeks since my application was escalated so I have just tried to phone the probate office but was greeted with the message that the probate office is now closed for the bank holiday and was promptly cut off.  

So a government department that has massive backlogs and is in complete shambles has decided to close for an extra long bank holiday weekend.  In my world, both today and Saturday are working days but not if you work in an essential government department that is in meltdown.

They should be ashamed.  This probate system is a complete joke.

 

Now double the time you've waited so far to realise just how exhausted and stressed I am by all of this

angharad1808

KSS1991 said:

ArGee68 said:

Unbelievable.

I have now reached 19 weeks and it is 3 weeks since my application was escalated so I have just tried to phone the probate office but was greeted with the message that the probate office is now closed for the bank holiday and was promptly cut off.  

So a government department that has massive backlogs and is in complete shambles has decided to close for an extra long bank holiday weekend.  In my world, both today and Saturday are working days but not if you work in an essential government department that is in meltdown.

They should be ashamed.  This probate system is a complete joke.

 

Wow thanks for this information. I guess now we all should forget about it till Tuesday as nothing will be done. Anyone had positive outcomes who applied early December 22?

I’ve been following this thread ever since i applied on November 15th 2022.

Straightforward will, just under inheritance tax.

I had to escalate twice after 16 weeks and yesterday i had an email to say probate granted. 

No one had looked at my application when i called 2 weeks ago.

ArGee68

angharad1808 - Congratulations and thank you for your post as it gives us all hope that our escalated cases will eventually be processed.  It also confirms that despite their phone message on Thursday, some staff were actually working.  I wonder if they closed the phone lines early to free up more staff to process applications?

My MP's office have now contacted the probate office about my application and are also going to raise my issues about the current delays with the minister responsible.


Oglop -  each time you post I hope it is to say you've finally got probate as I have been following your case for months on this forum.   Your experience has been shocking and I have my fingers crossed that your wait is over shortly.