How Long Does Probate Take?

A straightforward probate application — from instruction to grant — typically takes 3–6 months. Full estate administration, including distributing assets to beneficiaries, usually takes 9–12 months for a simple estate. Complex estates with property, multiple assets, or inheritance tax can take 12–24 months or longer.

Once the probate application is submitted to the Probate Registry, processing currently takes 8–16 weeks for straightforward applications. Before submission, preparation typically takes 4–8 weeks. So from instruction to grant, allow 3–6 months in total.

There is no legal requirement to apply for probate immediately after death. In practice, most executors apply within 3–6 months of the death. The full process — from death to final distribution — typically takes 9–18 months for a straightforward estate.

For a simple estate — one or two bank accounts, no property, no inheritance tax — it is possible to complete probate within 6 months. However, this requires prompt action from the executor, no delays from financial institutions, and no complications at the Probate Registry.

The most common causes of delay are: inheritance tax complications requiring HMRC clearance; property sales; disputes between beneficiaries; missing documents; overseas assets; and backlogs at the Probate Registry. A solicitor can help identify and manage these risks early.

Generally, no. Assets cannot be distributed to beneficiaries until the grant of probate is issued and debts and taxes are settled. However, some assets — such as jointly held property or accounts with a survivorship clause — pass outside of probate and can be accessed sooner.

If there is no will, the process is similar but the application is for letters of administration rather than a grant of probate. The timeline is broadly the same — 3–6 months to the grant — but identifying the correct administrator and beneficiaries under the intestacy rules can add time.

Yes. Instructing a solicitor early, gathering documents promptly, and responding quickly to requests from the Probate Registry and HMRC all help. A solicitor can also identify potential complications early and take steps to avoid delays.

If the estate includes a property that needs to be sold, the conveyancing process adds 3–6 months to the administration timeline. The property cannot be sold until the grant of probate is issued, so the overall process from death to completion of a property sale is typically 9–18 months.

There is no strict legal deadline for applying for probate in England and Wales. However, inheritance tax must be paid within 6 months of the date of death to avoid interest charges. Executors who delay unreasonably can face personal liability for losses caused by the delay.