Anybody know how long probate is likely to take

The Probate Registry emailed me today to acknowledge my application sent in last week and they said if no further information is required it will take 16 weeks (which is around the end of April). Hope that helps.

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I know that my son is well on top of all of this. I get nothing, all goes to our five adult children, which I am more than happy about. Just wanted to have some idea how long they will have to wait My son's wife is a chartered accountant, and she is obviously assisting him. They have also worked out approximately how much they will each get once IT is taken off. They say hope for six months and be prepared for longer.

As Iam64 said, the Probate Office will tell you when they have everything they need. Then the countdown starts. I was told not to contact them before 16 weeks, then at that point they will escalate it. I did not reach 16 weeks. I think mine was ten or eleven. They are short staffed.

My Mum died in September 2019, dispersements were made thirteen months later, there were various bonds and investments to be released.

Ours was straightforward, we had a Will which divided the estate in a way there was no opposition to. 9 months after the application, I phoned the relevant department. I was told it could be escalated because 20 weeks had past. It was concluded within 3 weeks

When my mother died a few years ago she hadn’t changed her will to take account of her remarriage (after my father died) and the fact she wanted to leave half of her estate to to my brother, sister and me. So my stepfather had his solicitor create (?) a Deed of Variation. The whole thing took over a year as my brother and sister live in Australia and the solicitor was undergoing treatment for cancer. We got there in the end.

Katie59

A will where everything is left to the surviving spouse is straightforward, but when there is a lot of property probate can get complicated .

I applied for probate 15 weeks ago for an extremely straightforward Will. My late husband left everything to me.
Still not heard anything. Is it still “due to Covid” ?
When my son died intestate last year, they took 6 months to give Letters of Administration….
I’m not holding my breath!

A will where everything is left to the surviving spouse is straightforward, but when there is a lot of property probate can get complicated .

My neighbour’s husband died on January 31st. She got on quickly with all the necessary paperwork but still doesn’t have probate. Fortunately for her she has no intention of selling her house so is happy to wait.

Even when probate is granted, the mills can grind exceedingly slow.
My husband died in January 2020 leaving a straightforward will and all affairs in good order. My daughter and I are executors.
Probate was granted in November of 2020 during the lockdowns but, nearly 4 years on, his estate has still not been settled.
Thanks to foot-dragging by a firm of stockbrokers and what appears to be total incompetence by a pension provider, I still don't know the bottom line!
So, Franbern, don't be surprised if it all takes much, much longer than you think.

Franbern even with a simple will it can take 6-12 months. It all depends on solicitors involved . If any family disputes that may occur. Plus any back log at probate department because of Christmas and new year and if staffing levels are low.

I should add that it took months to get the figures needed to be ready to apply. Probate was granted in early November, I think, but it will be a few more months before distribution will be completed.

IHT forms will need to be done first and any tax paid promptly. Gov. Uk website has all the info you need.
Probate took 10 weeks for me with no complications.

If previous gifts are involved a solicitor will most likely be needed, time will depend on their work load. There is normally a time limit of 2 yrs, part of the gifts may have to be repaid unless there is enough cash in the estate to pay any tax.

I think it often takes different lengths of time Franbern, as you say, depending on the will. Sometimes it’s very quick, others it drags on for a few months. My daughter in law’s mother died in late Spring/early Summer this year. Probate is still going on although they applied quickly after she died. On the other hand, after my own mother’s death, Probate only took a few weeks.
Sorry to not be very helpful.