How long does grant of probate take? Key steps explained

If you have been named as an executor, it is understandable to want to know how long things will take. According to current GOV.UK guidance, you will usually receive a Grant of Probate within 12 weeks of sending your application. However, the Grant is only one stage of the probate process. Getting it does not mean the estate has been fully dealt with.

It can also take longer if the Probate Registry finds missing details, needs more documents or has questions about the application. Knowing what happens before and after the Grant is issued can help you feel more prepared for each stage.

For expert guidance on estate planning, visit our Wills Trusts & Probate page.

What is a Grant of Probate?

A Grant of Probate is the legal document that gives executors the power to deal with the assets of the person who has died. Until it is issued, there are limits on what can be done with many assets held in that person’s sole name.

Once the Grant has been issued, executors can start to collect assets, close accounts, transfer or sell property and deal with banks and other firms. They must then pay any debts, prepare estate accounts and share out the estate to beneficiaries. For this reason, getting the Grant is often seen as the halfway point of the probate process, rather than the end.

How long does it take for the Probate Registry to issue a Grant?

According to current GOV.UK guidance, you will usually receive a Grant of Probate within 12 weeks of sending your application.

It can take longer if the Probate Registry finds missing details, needs more documents or has questions about the application. Replying quickly to any requests can help keep delays to a minimum.

Can I track my probate application?

If you applied online, you can usually use the online service to check how your application is progressing.

If your application was sent less than 12 weeks ago, the Probate Registry will not usually give an update. We understand that waiting to hear back can be unsettling. If more than 12 weeks have passed and you have not had a decision, you can contact the Probate Registry to ask for an update. You can usually do this by phone or through the Registry’s online web chat.

What documents might I receive following a probate application?

The document you receive will depend on the estate and who is making the application.

Grant of Probate

A Grant of Probate is issued where the person who has died left a valid Will and the executor named in that Will makes the application.

Letters of Administration with Will Annexed

Letters of Administration with Will Annexed may be issued where there is a valid Will, but it does not name an executor. They may also be issued where the named executor cannot act because they have died or lost capacity. In these cases, a beneficiary who is eligible may apply instead.

Letters of Administration

Letters of Administration are usually issued where the person who has died did not leave a valid Will. A suitable family member or other eligible person then deals with the estate under the intestacy rules.

What can be done before the Grant of Probate is issued?

The good news is that a lot of work can often be done before the Grant is issued. Practical steps may include:

• Finding the original Will.
• Securing any property owned by the person who has died.
• Getting valuations of assets and debts.
• Gathering the financial details needed for the application.
• Telling the relevant organisations, banks and other firms about the death.
• Preparing Inheritance Tax forms where needed.

Doing these tasks early can help you send a correct application and avoid delays.

What happens after the Grant of Probate is issued?

The Grant allows executors or administrators to start dealing with the estate’s assets. This usually involves collecting money from banks and other firms, transferring or selling property, cashing in investments and gathering together all the assets.

Once the assets have been collected, any debts, costs and taxes must be paid. Estate accounts are then prepared to show how the estate has been dealt with. After this, the remaining money and assets are shared out to the beneficiaries who are entitled to inherit.

What can delay probate?

Some estates move along fairly smoothly, while others can take much longer. Common causes of delay include:

• A property taking longer than expected to sell.
• Estates that include business interests or assets abroad.
• Problems finding or identifying beneficiaries.
• Cases where the person who has died did not leave a valid Will.
• Disputes about whether a Will is valid or what it means.
• Requests from the Probate Registry for more details or answers.

The more complex the estate, the more likely it is that the process will take longer. Delays can be frustrating, especially while you are coping with a loss, but they are common and can usually be worked through.

Will using a solicitor make probate quicker?

A solicitor can help reduce delays caused by missing details, mistakes in documents or problems with the probate application. They can help gather details, prepare the paperwork and check that the application meets the Probate Registry’s rules.

How Fosters Solicitors can help

Probate involves a number of tasks alongside applying for the Grant, often at an already difficult time. Executors may need to gather details about the estate, deal with assets and debts, prepare paperwork and finish dealing with the estate before money can be shared out to beneficiaries.

Jordan Rodwell, Solicitor at Fosters Solicitors, commented: “There’s no handbook that comes with being an executor. For many people, it’s the first time they’ve had to deal with probate, and suddenly they’re faced with paperwork, deadlines and important decisions at a time when they’re also dealing with the loss of someone close to them.

“That’s why having the right support can make such a difference. We can take as much or as little of the administration off an executor’s shoulders as they need. Sometimes that means dealing with the estate from start to finish; other times, it’s simply being there to answer questions and help with the more complicated parts. Ultimately, it’s about making the process easier to understand and giving executors the reassurance that things are being dealt with properly.”

Our experienced probate and estate administration team at Fosters Solicitors is here to support you through each stage of the probate process, from preparing the application to dealing with the estate and sharing it out. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our team. We are always happy to help.