Current Grant of Probate timescale - 12wks or better?

[roca1976]

Just applied for Probate and sent off the original will, we can now start to market and advertise the property.

I have done everything online and wondering what the current timescales are like, I believe they were knocking them out of the park after COVID but not sure if back to business as usual (up to 12 weeks)

Cheers.

[ChrisH72]

My documents were received 11th November and grant issued 18th Feb. There was a slight complication which added 3-4 weeks.

[The Gauge]

We applied at beginning of January and apart from receiving confirmation of receipt we have heard nothing. However ours is complicated by the original will having been stolen in a burglary so effectively dying intestate

[The Leaper]

A while ago now, but for a reasonably complex Estate, I applied on 17.12.2024 and the grant was received 19.01.2025. Actually, its unanticipated early delivery caught us out!

R.

[ChrisH72]

The Gauge said:

We applied at beginning of January and apart from receiving confirmation of receipt we have heard nothing. However ours is complicated by the original will having been stolen in a burglary so effectively dying intestate

They will only contact you if they need more info.

No news is good news!

[Actual]

This time last year...

About 10 days.

Applied for probate 28/4 and Grant of Probate 9/5.

In this case there was IHT to pay so it was not possible to apply for probate at first and most of the time was with HMRC and then once IHT was paid and the matching figures were supplied to HMCTS then probate was granted very quickly.

7/2 HMRC Inheritance Tax Reference request sent
13/2 HMRC Inheritance Tax Reference received
26/2 Sent IHT400 Forms to HMRC
19/3 HMRC agreed amount of IHT to Pay
22/3 Requested Bank to Pay IHT
11/4 Bank pays HMRC
25/4 HMRC agrees IHT has been paid and provides unique code needed to apply for Probate
28/4 Applied for Probate to HMCTS and posted Original Will
9/5 Grant of Probate

[FiF]

Around October last year.

Completed online on the Tuesday.
Wednesday posted the required docs Special Delivery before 1pm next day. Included the only original copy of the will.
Monday following week received email saying documents received, will be in contact if need more info, estimated timescale 12 weeks.
Monday evening same day, email arrives announcing probate approved and grants will be sent by post
Arrived later that week.

Since then our RM delivery service level has dropped to almost non existent.

[roca1976]

Thanks for the replies.

Fortunately we have been able to pay IHT from available assets so the house is the remaining asset to be sold and split three ways. We all get on well and have agreed to accept the first decent offer and not try and hold out for every last penny...

[Actual]

roca1976 said:

Thanks for the replies.

Fortunately we have been able to pay IHT from available assets so the house is the remaining asset to be sold and split three ways. We all get on well and have agreed to accept the first decent offer and not try and hold out for every last penny...

In my case all the time spent was with HMRC and having gone through HMRC and paid the IHT then the submission to HMCTS was just the nett and gross totals with all the work done and agreed so HMCTS only needed to check the will and approve.