Probate timescales after paying inheritance tax.

[PatChaunceysFruitCake]

Hoping someone might have been in a similar situation and is happy to share their experience.

I’m the executor of a will. I’ve completed all the forms for HMRC. There is a significant bill to pay. I’ve arranged to pay in full by direct payment. The forms haven’t been processed by HMRC yet but by the time they get to them I’m hoping the bill will be fully settled. I rang in the week and over 50% of the sum owing had been paid by one of the banks.

I know I can’t apply for probate until HMRC are content and have issued a code.

There are three beneficiaries (children of the deceased, all over 18) and the will was drawn up by a solicitor, is still intact etc.

What I am keen to know is:

• how long did you wait for HMRC to clear the account where the estate is liable for IHT but you have already paid by direct payment?
• how long did probate take assuming you applied online, there was a will etc?
• I have seen people online suggesting it’s best to leave a week between receiving the probate code from HMRC and applying for probate so the info can filter through to HMCTS. Is that right?

I know there are timescales quoted by the relevant agencies but I’m keen to hear real life experiences.

Thank you.

We are at 6 weeks now waiting for HMRC. Will probably have been referred to high net worth team as a big estate. IHT all paid.

Solicitor said about 6 weeks so we are hoping soon. Then we apply for confirmation through the local sheriff court which is 2-4 weeks. Need to get house on market.

No IHT involved, but probate is seven months and counting.

@Musicaltheatremumdo you know the threshold for referral? ChatGPT suggests a sliding scale where likelihood increases by value.

I know I’ve reported everything correctly but that won’t make a difference to the need to investigate or not!

@TheCaptainsLogthat is awful. It’s hard to determine what it is that makes it take so long. Some people report getting it in weeks.

I’m sorry you are also caught up in this nightmare.

Our IHT was £1.9m. estate over £4m. So not sure what the levels were but our lawyer said she "thought it would probably be referred" rather than definitely.

I feel for you @Musicaltheatremummine is significantly less than yours but still over £1 million. I did naively think paying it all up front would help but I’m not sure that’s correct.

I know the only real answer here is ‘wait and see’ but the lack of any sort on timescale is hard when you’re already emotional with grief.

The HMRC code normally takes about four weeks. Apply for probate straightaway online (with paperwork to follow in post) and assuming it's straightforward, probate should take less than a fortnight.

Thank you @CharlotteStreetW1i ended up calling HMRC because the tracked mail was showing as not received. I believe this is common because post for HMRC is bundled and scanned. I still wanted confirmation it wasn’t all lost though.

The person said they had the forms and would process in the next ten working days. That would be in line with your 4 weeks estimate. She was also kind enough to confirm that they’d received 95% of what is owed through direct payment. I really hope that means the code will be issued straight away even if they do want to ask follow up questions.

Good to know your probate application was turned around quickly. Some seem to take ages and I can’t identify a consistent source of the delay.

Just heard today my FIL estate has been referred to the high net worth team. Should get a code in the next couple of weeks. Applied mid Feb

Sounds hopeful.

If it's a straightforward online application it should be quick. It's the "paper" applications that take forever or if the Probate Registry requires further info.

(I work in probate)

Thank you so much @CharlotteStreetW1. Do you mind if I ask if there is any truth in the suggestions online that it’s better to wait a week or so once you have the code to ensure all information has transferred across to HMCTS from HMRC.

It didn’t make much sense to me as I assumed the computer would send the info instantly. Perhaps there is more manual processing involved than I am assuming though?

We don't wait and I've never heard of anyone waiting.

Thank you @CharlotteStreetW1. That’s really helpful.

I must admit to making the mistake of falling down rabbit holes on Martin Lewis forums and the like. 😬