You’ll usually get probate within 16 weeks of submitting your application. It can take longer if you need to provide additional information.

On average, estates are dealt within 3-8 months. Complicated estates where the deceased had foreign assets, trust interests, complex tax affairs or when a dispute arises can take a year or longer to administer.

A probate specialist might be a solicitor or an accountant. You might want to think about using a probate specialist if:
• the value of the estate is over the Inheritance Tax threshold and the estate is still earning a regular income where there are complicated taxes due. The threshold for the 2023/24 tax year is £325,000;
• the deceased died without a will, and it’s a complicated estate to sort out;
• there are doubts about the validity of the will;
• the deceased had dependants who were deliberately left out of the will, but who might want to make a claim on the estate;
• the estate has complex arrangements, such as assets held in a trust;
• the estate is bankrupt (also known as insolvent);
• the estate includes foreign property or foreign assets;
• the deceased lived outside the UK for tax purposes.

Take a look at the London Gazette’s article on how to choose a probate practitioner: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/100575

Please see our article providing more detailed information.

Do you have to pay inheritance tax before probate is granted?

Please see our article explaining this in detail.

Whilst similar, Scotland has a different process with slightly different terminology. We only support the process for England and Wales.

A grant of representation in England and Wales noting the deceased’s domicile is accepted in Scotland and Northern Ireland without the need for resealing. The PRs can proceed to deal with any assets the deceased may have there.