Probate - how long?

SnowMan

Here are the HMCTS February probate wait times published on 10th April. The table has been created by me from the data.  The monthly update data is published on the second Thursday of each month, so the March data comes out in May. 

Overall there were 25,825 applications received in February and 23,495 grants issued. The overall average wait time remains at 6.2 weeks with varying changes in the individual categories. Note these are mean (average) figures and there can be considerable variation from the mean in individual cases even within categories. For example the mean time for digital stopped applications is currently 11.7 weeks but the time for an individual digital stopped case may vary considerably from this figure.

 

SnowMan

And here is my chart from that data of the average wait times over time for digital/paper, stopped/non stopped grants issued up to February 2025.

SnowMan

Here are the HMCTS March probate wait times published this morning. The table has been created by me from the data.  The monthly update data is published on the second Thursday of each month, so the next update will be the April data which comes out in June.

Overall there were 27,600 applications received in February and 29,318 grants issued. The overall average wait time has marginally increased to 6.3 weeks with digital application wait times slightly up and paper wait times down. Variations between consecutive months can be as a result of differences in which cases HMCTS have been working on. Note these are mean (average) figures and there can be considerable variation from the mean in individual cases even within categories. For example the mean time for digital stopped applications is currently 12 weeks but the time for an individual digital stopped case may vary considerably from this figure.

SnowMan

And here is my chart from that data of the average wait times over time for digital/paper, stopped/non stopped grants issued up to March 2025.

fordyms

We are 27 weeks and waiting for probate for M-I-L, probably because she didn't date the will. Nice and simple otherwise, 100k house, 2 children are beneficiaries. . Witnesses have been contacted & verified. Frustrating.

H657

Here’s our timeline - FiL’s estate, not particularly complicated but some IHT due

4/4/25 : IHT forms posted
7/4/25 : IHT423 payment forms sent to banks
2/5/25 : IHT code for probate application received
3/5/25 : online probate application submitted & will posted special delivery (guaranteed for 6/5 by 1pm)
14/5/25 : 7:55am - probate email confirming receipt
14/5/25 : 3:25pm - probate granted email

Obviously won’t get forms for a few days, but very pleased with that turnaround

And all 3 banks sent an IHT423 payment request had made payments to HMRC within a week of receiving the forms, and confirmed payments by letter to us.

buyhighselllow

Online claim sent
Will received by them 3 days later
Probate confirmed by email 10 days from applying online. 

madbadrob

Nearlyold said:

A slightly caustic but amusing explanation of why the delays here 

https://www.theprobatedepartment.co.uk/probate-delays/?amp

alas this guy is nothing to do with the probate office.  His sitye as basically lifted the majority of it from the proper probate office pages on delays anod how long.  He is breaking the law as well because his website doesnt have anywhere on there showing his reegistered business address (IT cannot be a po box number neither) where papers can be served if there ever is an issue.  He is nothing but a Will writer reading what I have and whilst your link was shared with the right intentions it could lead to people being "stung" as none of us know what he is qualified if anything to do.  IN fact he states clearly on his page he " is not insured to give probate advice " so why is he calling his page  The Probate Department I dont know.

Rob

m1kjm

madbadrob said:

Nearlyold said:

A slightly caustic but amusing explanation of why the delays here 

https://www.theprobatedepartment.co.uk/probate-delays/?amp

alas this guy is nothing to do with the probate office.  His sitye as basically lifted the majority of it from the proper probate office pages on delays anod how long.  He is breaking the law as well because his website doesnt have anywhere on there showing his reegistered business address (IT cannot be a po box number neither) where papers can be served if there ever is an issue.  He is nothing but a Will writer reading what I have and whilst your link was shared with the right intentions it could lead to people being "stung" as none of us know what he is qualified if anything to do.  IN fact he states clearly on his page he " is not insured to give probate advice " so why is he calling his page  The Probate Department I dont know.

Rob

It's very evident it's not a professional website and given the problems I'm experiencing in obtaining probate I found it a very interesting read and a refreshing change from all the people bragging about receiving probate within a week.  I'm thrilled for them but the reality for some of us is very different and the more people shining a light on this issue the better as far as I'm concerned.

madbadrob

m1kjm said:

madbadrob said:

Nearlyold said:

A slightly caustic but amusing explanation of why the delays here 

https://www.theprobatedepartment.co.uk/probate-delays/?amp

alas this guy is nothing to do with the probate office.  His sitye as basically lifted the majority of it from the proper probate office pages on delays anod how long.  He is breaking the law as well because his website doesnt have anywhere on there showing his reegistered business address (IT cannot be a po box number neither) where papers can be served if there ever is an issue.  He is nothing but a Will writer reading what I have and whilst your link was shared with the right intentions it could lead to people being "stung" as none of us know what he is qualified if anything to do.  IN fact he states clearly on his page he " is not insured to give probate advice " so why is he calling his page  The Probate Department I dont know.

Rob

It's very evident it's not a professional website and given the problems I'm experiencing in obtaining probate I found it a very interesting read and a refreshing change from all the people bragging about receiving probate within a week.  I'm thrilled for them but the reality for some of us is very different and the more people shining a light on this issue the better as far as I'm concerned.

Point taken however I would never be linking anyone to any will writers site because it is the worst thing anyone can do.  Actually the site is awful and is a professional site.  I did a lot of digging after my post and it seems he has passed himself off in one business as an attorney.  He is also the regional head of the Will Writers Society ( a group of will writers getting together to make the whole business sound legitimate) and that site he is using to direct people to those he considers (pay him in other words) best for the person contacting him.  I wonder if he will be subject to no win claims in the future for not telling people he was taking a coimission from those he works with.

That was and is my reason for making the post.  Not everyone is able to tell the difference between websites so its worth pointing these out when they appear