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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that probate is taking too long

126 replies

GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 14:35

My dear Grandmother died in October.

Her estate was very simple because she had already sold her house and moved into a care home.

A solicitor is the executor but there is still no sign of probate.

I know that it was taking a long time for probate to be granted last year but looking at the probate search online it doesn’t generally seem so long now.

Does anyone have any recent experience of probate times for simple estates?

AIBU to think that the solicitor is dragging his heels?

OP posts:
IamSmarticus · 18/06/2023 14:53

My MiL also died in October, my DP did the probate application himself and it took about 6 weeks to be granted.

Original poster
GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 14:57

IamSmarticus · 18/06/2023 14:53

My MiL also died in October, my DP did the probate application himself and it took about 6 weeks to be granted.

Thanks @IamSmarticus

OP posts:
CrotchetyQuaver · 18/06/2023 14:58

Has he even submitted it yet?

ZeppelinTits · 18/06/2023 15:01

We applied in July last year and it was granted end of March this year 😣
But that was a complex case with a paper application form and no will. Simpler cases are taking less time. It was a tortuous process though and I found the wait so stressful and painful.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 18/06/2023 15:02

My aunt died in December- same thing, easy estate, probate has been granted, money will likely be sent out in the next month.

Original poster
GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 15:03

CrotchetyQuaver · 18/06/2023 14:58

Has he even submitted it yet?

No idea. He was very rude and abrupt when I spoke to him in March. I think he said he was still gathering the information at that stage and that he would let me know when he had something to report.

OP posts:
SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 18/06/2023 15:03

You need to ask the solicitor in clear terms. How far along is the probate? What is left to do? How long will it take?

TomatoSandwiches · 18/06/2023 15:03

It is generally cheaper and quicker to do probabte yourselves if it is a simple case.
I would write a letter of concern and request an update ASAP.

BananaSpanner · 18/06/2023 15:06

Did an online application in March, probate office emailed me re further information last week. So at least they are looking at it.

Original poster
GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 15:06

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 18/06/2023 15:02

My aunt died in December- same thing, easy estate, probate has been granted, money will likely be sent out in the next month.

Thanks for your reply @OnlyFoolsnMothers
How long is the delay between probate being granted and the money being sent out?

OP posts:
FannyBawz · 18/06/2023 15:06

My husband took four months and he’s extremely efficient, proactive and it was simple estate and he had plenty time to actually do the application.

most people I know took 6-12 months.

solicitors - no idea. I can imagine it would take about a year.

Original poster
GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 15:10

SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 18/06/2023 15:03

You need to ask the solicitor in clear terms. How far along is the probate? What is left to do? How long will it take?

He really gave the impression that I didn’t have any right to even contact him despite being a beneficiary of the estate.
He had ignored two emails and a VM before I got to speak to him on the phone and he said he got too many emails and messages a week to respond to them all.

OP posts:
CrushedVelvet · 18/06/2023 15:11

My MiL died in Oct, and probate just came through last week.

Original poster
GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 15:12

FannyBawz · 18/06/2023 15:06

My husband took four months and he’s extremely efficient, proactive and it was simple estate and he had plenty time to actually do the application.

most people I know took 6-12 months.

solicitors - no idea. I can imagine it would take about a year.

Thanks. It has only been 8 months so I should probably give it until October before chasing it up then.

OP posts:
Original poster
GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 15:12

CrushedVelvet · 18/06/2023 15:11

My MiL died in Oct, and probate just came through last week.

Thanks @CrushedVelvet , that is really useful to know.

OP posts:
SlipSlidinAway · 18/06/2023 15:15

My MIL died in September. DH submitted probate forms in October. Very straightforward - she had a will leaving her estate to him and he is her only child. Still not gone through. He's rung up a few times and they've said they will escalate it and it should be done in 3 weeks. Still nothing.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 18/06/2023 15:18

My dm passed in September. Probate hasn’t been granted yet. My db is executor 😏 long story. The solicitor said it was a simple Will to sort. It won’t be sorted in a hurry though.

Growlybear83 · 18/06/2023 15:20

My mum died last year and it took about six weeks from the solicitor applying for probate to receiving the grant. It was a fairly simple estate. I had power of attorney before she died and had been running her bank account for her and her bank passed the money in her accounts to me as soon as I sent them the death certificate. I did most of the work in closing accounts, paying bills etc to save on legal costs, and the only things that had to wait until probate was granted was closing my mums premium bonds account and the proceeds from the sale of the house were held by the solicitors handling the sale for a few days.

AfraidToRun · 18/06/2023 15:22

There's an online service run by the probate service to see if it's been granted. Its free to search but if you wanted a copy it's £1.50.

They aim for 2-3 months but I hear 6 is more common atm.

PollyIndia · 18/06/2023 15:24

Mum died last year and I did her probate when the quote dad got from his solicitor was about £1500, very simple as all to dad and came through in 6 weeks. Dad died 4 months later and I applied end sept and took 8 weeks. My sis and I were named as executors though which definitely made it more straightforward as she just had to sign a form saying happy for me to deal with it.

if there is a will and no disputing it, I have no idea why it takes so long. I think solicitors just can’t be arsed. But made me realise the importance of naming a trustworthy executor.

money came through a short time after the grant of probate though the banks love to drag their feet and hang onto it!

Original poster
GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 15:25

AfraidToRun · 18/06/2023 15:22

There's an online service run by the probate service to see if it's been granted. Its free to search but if you wanted a copy it's £1.50.

They aim for 2-3 months but I hear 6 is more common atm.

Thanks @AfraidToRun, it definitely isn’t showing up there but I have no idea when the solicitor applied for probate

OP posts:
Campervangirl · 18/06/2023 15:27

It took six weeks to obtain probate but we did it ourselves.
No way should it take 8 months, he's busy and you're not high on his list of priorities.
Who's executor, the solicitor?

Original poster
GeraniumGirl · 18/06/2023 15:29

Campervangirl · 18/06/2023 15:27

It took six weeks to obtain probate but we did it ourselves.
No way should it take 8 months, he's busy and you're not high on his list of priorities.
Who's executor, the solicitor?

Yes, the solicitor is the executor. I’m wondering if he can justify a larger bill if he drags it out for a long time.

OP posts:
1987qwerty · 18/06/2023 15:30

Solicitors in the main are buggers for taking their time. I'd send a recorded delivery letter asking if probate has been applied for. If not what is the hold up and can you assist in any way. It's a nice little earner for a solicitor and the longer they take the more they can bill. I'm aware many solicitors are great.