Delay in getting probate

MidasInReverse

Hubby and I are joint executors of late mother-in-law's will. Submitted probate application by post in 2022 but forgot PA1P form so sent that off quickly and paid fee. No news from HMCTS. Their online webchat service told me HMRC hadn't sent them the IHT forms without which probate cannot be granted so I called HMRC myself to deal with that. Since then we've provided information about the will and HMCTS has sent out a witness questionnaire about the signing of the will. How many more obstacles will HMCTS put in our way. The deceased died in September 2021 and the beneficiaries are driving us mad about the delay. Also, can executors track progress of the probate application online if it was made by post ? Getting so frustrated with the whole business!

uknick

The will I'm a beneficiary of took 30 weeks for probate.  The executor told me a questionnaire was sent to the witnesses.  They then took some time to return it which no doubt caused the delay. 

MidasInReverse

Thanks, uknick. Does anyone know how to track progress of a probate application sent by post?
It looks like probate practioners and solicitors can use an online tracking system with a MyHMCTS account but we are private individuals who wanted to deal with the probate application ourselves ?

lisyloo

There is no way of tracking progress.
it’s well known that online applications are quicker.

MidasInReverse

Not well known to us, unfortunately. But there is no justification for treating us differently to those who can check progress online.

tetrarch

MidasInReverse said:

Not well known to us, unfortunately. But there is no justification for treating us differently to those who can check progress online.

Your inability to check online will not help or hurt the speed (or lack thereof) with which HMCTS deal with your application

The customer helplines are VERY insistent that you cannot call for a progress update until 16 weeks has elapsed. They do not specify that this limit resets with any queries etc. 

In our case we had two queries raised against the application after four weeks but they only actually processed one answer. I had to wait until application + 16 weeks in order to get them to process the other query successfully. Despite applying online, the avaiable update was useless.

This may actually work in your favour as you are already well past that threshold and so Customer Services should allow you to check the progress. That said, they often just say "we'll look into it" and then you can't call again for three more weeks

In order to keep the other beneficiaries satisfied I would just keep them fully informed about exactly what you're doing and when you're doing it. Their frustration towards you does chime with your frustration at HMCTS

Regards

Tet

Daniel54

Just to say we have today received confirmation from our solicitors  of probate granted 12 weeks after submission.

A welcome surprise