How long does it take to get probate sorted?

When a distant relative died probate took over a year. That was because the solicitors had to trace all the potential heirs who were scattered across the country and abroad. In these circumstances they have to advertise in the press and trace all leads. They also have to take out insurance to cover themselves and the heirs they have paid out in case an "unexpected" heir shows up and decides to sue.

Getting probate granted should be quick it’s getting all the information together that takes time, gathering pensions, investments, and bank accounts is time consuming because you are relying on others to respond quickly.
So far mums estate has taken 18 months and still not done, very frustrating, lord knows what the bill will be.

Sorry, GSM, I can only post from my own experience.

My husband is the executor of my mum’s will. Probate only took a few weeks. Very good service.

In defence of solicitors I cannot praise mine highly enough. She dealt speedily and efficiently with probate following the death of my husband. I was not charged 'a small fortune' either.

It took 6 months for us to get probate on our late son’s estate. They made mistake after mistake and put everything back each time. We were not impressed by their service.

Mil died last September. We have just had grant of probate this week. Mil will was very straightforward. We did it ourselves on line. So from start to finish it was 7months. No house to sell as she was in a care home.

About 9 months

I did both my mum and dads myself. They had many investments but no house to sell as we had already done that. It took about 6 weeks.

I did dads, it took less than 3 months. It was before you could do it on line.
Even if you get a solicitor to do it you still have to find all the information they need and IMO that’s the most difficult part.

Probate on MIL's estate took 9 months but that was because it took ages to get a final settlement on the civil service pension that she had. It really does depend. OH and his brother were joint executors and tbh the biggest problem was opening a bank account as they live in different parts of the country, in the end OH opened the account in his name.

I was the executor for Mum's will which was fairly straightforward.
When I'd got all the papers together I decided no to risk the post. As we were living near London at the time I took them to the main Probate office in London. I got the probate document a week or 2 later.
Can't remember the exact time now - this was in 2002.
It's supposed to be quicker online but I'm not so sure.

Probate was granted within 7 months for both MiL and BiL over the last three years. Different family members handled each estate, though we were grateful for advice from solicitors hand we were able to share help and advice through it all.
We all found banks and building societies very helpful too.

My mum's solicitor has been terrific in assuring her that all will be well when the time comes and has gone above and beyond to make sure she is content.

M0nica

Solicitors only work when they are kicked regularly. You need to ring them regularly - at least once a week - and enquire about progress

That’s not very kind. I certainly didn’t need to be kicked.

Solicitors only work when they are kicked regularly. You need to ring them regularly - at least once a week - and enquire about progress

My Uncle has been waiting over 3 years to get his relatives will sorted.

GrannySomerset, it worked for you - as you must trust others to do things properly - unlike me. I worry less when I get stuck in and do things myself.

My mum died July 20
She had a Will 50 - 50 between my sister and I, she left us her flat and some money not truck loads.
My husband as executor to the Will did it on line, submitted it and almost instantly it was granted within 30 mins. Couldn't believe it.
It wasn't complicated and straightforward.

Not in my experience, Hetty. DH died at the beginning of the year and probate was granted this week. Solicitors have been helpful and efficient and I have had one thing less to worry about.

Once you've submitted the probate forms, the 'grant of probate' takes a couple of months. Give it to solicitors to handle and - it takes far longer and costs a fortune.

It took my Mum 5 months to sort out my stepfathers.

We did probate for both sets of parents ourselves and it was fairly easy. I'm sorry, but I don't remember how long it took.

However, I'm pretty cycnical about the speed at which solicitors work, so I'd advise giving them a reminder at regular intervals so that your probate work doesn't get sidelined.

It has to be done within 2 yrs unless there are special circumstances, it’s not likely to take less than 6 months if it’s simple and no solicitors are involved.

We were told it depends how complex it is.
When mother in law died 2019 it took 7 months.

My Mum died in September 2019, it was about about 9 months until the estate was distributed.