How Long Does Probate Take?

There are two distinct timelines to understand. First, the probate application itself: GOV.UK says the Probate Registry usually issues a grant within 12 weeks of receiving a complete application. Second, the full estate administration - collecting assets, paying debts, distributing the estate - typically takes 6–18 months from the date of death. These are different things. Conflating them is one of the most common sources of confusion. Below is what drives each timeline and what causes delays.

The probate application: usually within 12 weeks

Once you submit a complete application, GOV.UK says a grant is usually issued within 12 weeks. This figure can change as HMCTS adjusts staffing - check gov.uk for the current estimate when you apply.

Online applications via the MyHMCTS portal tend to be processed slightly faster than paper ones. Simple estates with a clear will, no inheritance tax requirement, and complete documents come in at the shorter end. Missing information, discrepancies in the will, or paper submissions can push it considerably longer.

Before you can apply: weeks to months

The probate application cannot be submitted until the estate has been valued and inheritance tax has been dealt with. Depending on the estate, getting to the point of application can itself take several weeks or months:

• Gathering date-of-death balances from banks typically takes 1–4 weeks (write to each institution with a death certificate)
• Property valuation can be arranged within a week or two, but RICS surveyors can be busy
• IHT400 processing by HMRC currently takes around 20 weeks - this is the single biggest source of delay for estates that are not excepted estates

For most straightforward estates that qualify as excepted estates (no separate inheritance tax form needed), you can typically submit the probate application within 4–8 weeks of the death, provided you move promptly.

Full estate administration: 6–18 months

The Grant of Probate is not the end of the process - it is the point at which you can start dealing with assets. After the grant is issued, you still need to:

• Collect and transfer all assets (banks, investments, property)
• Pay any outstanding debts and bills
• Complete and file any outstanding tax returns
• Sell or transfer property if required
• Distribute the estate to beneficiaries

For a simple estate with no property, no complications, and co-operative institutions, the full process from death to distribution might take 6–9 months. For estates involving property sales, significant investments, or anything complex, 12–18 months is more typical. Disputed estates can take years. Our guide to what happens after probate is granted covers these post-grant steps in full.

What causes the biggest delays?

Inheritance tax forms (IHT400)

If the estate is not an excepted estate - typically because its value exceeds the nil-rate band or it has complex features - you must submit form IHT400 to HMRC before applying for probate. HMRC currently processes these in around 20 weeks, and any tax due must be paid before the grant is issued. This alone can add five months to the timeline before you even submit the probate application.

Property sales

Selling a property during probate has its own timeline. While you can instruct an estate agent and accept an offer before the grant is issued, you cannot complete the sale until you have the grant in hand. In a slow market, a property can sit on the market for months. Even once you have a buyer and the grant, the conveyancing process typically takes 8–12 weeks to complete.

Uncooperative or slow institutions

Some banks and financial institutions are significantly faster than others at responding to executor enquiries. Chasing institutions for date-of-death balances, and then again to close accounts after the grant is issued, can add weeks to the process.

Missing assets or unclear paperwork

Old insurance policies, forgotten savings accounts, and pension schemes the deceased had not mentioned can take time to track down. The Unclaimed Assets Register and pension tracing services can help, but add time.

Disputes

If family members dispute the will or the administration of the estate, the entire process can be paused while the dispute is resolved. Contested probate cases can take years and are extremely expensive in legal fees.

Tips to reduce delays

• Apply for multiple death certificates immediately - you will need to send originals to many institutions simultaneously
• Write to all banks in parallel rather than sequentially - getting date-of-death balances is the first bottleneck
• Check if the estate qualifies as an excepted estate early - avoiding the IHT400 process saves months
• Apply for probate online via the MyHMCTS portal rather than by post - applications tend to be processed faster
• Order additional sealed copies of the grant when you apply - you can use different copies simultaneously rather than waiting for each institution to return one before sending to the next
• Instruct a solicitor for property work early if a property is to be sold - they can start work on the title before the grant arrives

When to get professional advice

Delays are often caused by avoidable errors or gaps in the application. Get professional advice if:

• HMRC has raised queries about the estate valuation or IHT400 form
• The Probate Registry has come back with queries about the application
• The estate involves an overseas property or assets in a foreign jurisdiction
• The administration is taking much longer than expected and you are unsure why

A probate solicitor can often pinpoint and clear blockers quickly. Their involvement may end up shortening the process, not lengthening it.