probate

[tom&jerry]

How long on average does probate take to be granted to a solicitor?

[Barmaid]

How long is a piece of string? If the estate of non-taxable and assets fairly straightforward, no reason why they can't apply for it within 3-4 weeks of death - probate registries can deal with applications fairly quickly and normally turn them round within 2 weeks. Problems arise if the estate is large and funds have to be raised to pay the IHT or if there is difficulty in tracing or valuing the assets.

[Buenchico]

This is one of those 'how long is a piece of string?' questions. It depends upon how complex the estate is and how efficient the solicitor is.

3 to 6 months is quite usual. 2 years (or longer) isn't unknown. However, when my father died, I sought probate myself. (Unless the estate is particularly complex, there's absolutely no reason to use a solicitor. It's normally a very simple task). I had everything completed in under a month.

Chris

[dzug]

The thing that takes the time is not getting probate - that's quick - but gathering the information necessary to apply for it. Solicitors don't tend to rush this - nor do the firms responding to their queries.

Nor do they rush to sort things out once they have probate.

As Chris says - if you have the time and the ability, DIY.

[tom&jerry]

Thank you all for the answers