How long should probate take

dzug

dmg24 wrote: »

If there is a will, it is possible to sort out probate yourself.

There is lots of information here that may help x

And if there isn't a will, it's still possible to sort it out yourself - maybe easier as there are no arguments as to what the will means.

kazzieg

we have just gone through probate.

FIL passed away suddenly last september, we got a solicitor to do the probate for us and it was completed about two weeks ago.

sloughflint

How does one know that someone that calls themselves a probate specialist really is one though?

I'd recommend anyone who is a named executor try to do the job themselves and only if they get out of their depth instruct a 'professional'

I've had terrible experiences with solicitors ( who claimed to specialise in Wills and probate) both with poorly drafted Wills and dealing with probate.

Welcome to MSE but promoting your business is not allowed so I suggest that you remove your last sentence otherwise the whole post will get removed.

localhero

Hi Sloughflint,

Aside from my earlier flippant comment, you have raised a serious issue. A common problem on this forum is with Wills (solicitor written or otherwise) and the hassles with employing 'professionals' to deal with probate.

As you might already have worked out, my firm writes Wills. And unless there are good reasons, I would never recommend that the client appoint a professional as their executor.

I would agree with you, that most people can deal with the probate themselves, as the probate registries are always most helpful to non-professional executors. In most cases it makes sense to appoint your own family or trusted friends whose best interests are to deal with the administration efficiently.

Remember though, it is a position of trust and responsibility, so you should choose your executor(s) with care.

Any Willwriters who offer their executorship services - particularly where this involves an up front payment are usually the £49 Will merchants who don't bother to join a professional organisation or obtain any training, who then ambush the poor client into agreeing to something completely unnecessary. It is these types of people that give the profession a bad name.

Watch out too for banks or solicitors who kindly offer to be your executors when drawing up your Will. Banks in particular, are notoriously expensive and additionally, once appointed, the professional cannot be removed once you have died.

Occasionally my firm will undertake probate work, where it is clear the executors of the deceased don't want to take on the responsibility, but I would agree - unless the estate is particularly complicated or there's the likelihood of a dispute keep the professionals out of it - but do choose your executors carefully.

nosierosie

hi all my husband got probate last year and it took 5 weeks for the money to go through to hes bank account hes father died and had left 50k but he didnt have hes own house or anythink just money in hes bank and he had left a will. my husband picked the will up from solicitors and he downloaded some forms of the internet for probate sent them of with the will then he had to attend an interview at probate office and it was all really quickly we got the money 2 days before our wedding so was nice. hes uncle told him if he went through solicitors would take for ever and he was the one who told him to download the forms of ere we didnt really have a clue what we was doing as my husband is 26 and im 28 hope this helps like i say i dont know if it takes longer if they leave an house and things behind not sure