Probate - How long?

CFrog

In simple terms, how long are Members finding it takes to be granted probate?

My application is for probate on my late Father's estate and it's very straightforward (no IHT and no house to sell).  I'm joint Executor with my Brother.

I applied and paid my fees on 27 April and HMCTS confirmed they'd received my documents (sent by Registered Post on) 2.5 weeks later but here I am, some 9.5 weeks later and still nothing.  I rec'd an automatic email to suggest they can take up to 16 weeks to process and application.  I remember applying for my Mother's probate about 4 years ago and I seem to remember it taking about 5 weeks.

The HMCTS web site is useless and still showing my Status as 'Sent' and just shows the date I applied.  

Many thanks  

in_my_wellies

I was told by my solicitor last Tuesday that it's 21 weeks

Sarahspangles

CFrog said:

I rec'd an automatic email to suggest they can take up to 16 weeks to process and application.

HMCTS publish performance information. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1161335/CSV_HMCTS_management_information_Apr22_to_Apr23_cleaned.csv/preview

The most recent month with data is April, when there was a dip in pace to 13.9 weeks average, for all applications. As digital applications are split out and are processed more quickly at 11.1 weeks that suggests paper applications may exceed 16 weeks. 

Jowwie

I'm afraid your experience of 4 years ago does not apply. The probate service has been "improved" beyond all recognition! In 2020 I got one back in a fortnight. In 2023 it took 16.5 weeks.

It's 16 weeks before you can ask HMCTS what is going on, actually processing the application could be longer.

Fingers crossed for your application being better than average. Some seem to go through much quicker.

Flashned

I applied on the 27th of January. My mums estate was straight forward, no iht but a house to sell, only my sister and me as executors. Probate was granted on 7th of June.

Bonniepurple

We applied on 27/4/23 and probate was granted 15/6/23, although we didn’t get a letter from the solicitor until last week.

onomatopoeia99

I applied online and posted the will on 18/4/2023, received by HMCTS the next day (sent special delivery so I got a photo of it being delivered), though it took a couple of weeks for me to get the email confirmation of receipt.  Email telling me it had been approved 6/6/2023, with the grant in the post a few days later.

Seven weeks, no solicitor involved as I did everything myself.

Bolt1234

Application put in 25 April and Grant of Probate issued 7 July.  Done by posts through solicitor.

jarv81178

Bonniepurple said:

We applied on 27/4/23 and probate was granted 15/6/23, although we didn’t get a letter from the solicitor until last week.

Did you have a property to sell too?

jarv81178

I’ve been waiting since 28th April 23….. very simple will… no IHT hmm  🧐 

jarv81178

Bonniepurple said:

We applied on 27/4/23 and probate was granted 15/6/23, although we didn’t get a letter from the solicitor until last week.

Did you send paper application or do it online ?