In short: once a probate application has been submitted, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) says you will usually receive the grant of probate (or letters of administration) within 12 weeks. That is only one stage of the process, though. Preparing the application first, and then administering the estate afterwards, takes longer. For a straightforward estate with a valid will, the whole process from death to final distribution typically takes around 6 to 12 months. Estates that have to pay inheritance tax, include a property to sell, or involve a dispute can take considerably longer. This guide breaks the timeline down stage by stage so you know what to expect and what tends to cause delays.
What is probate, and do you always need it?
“Probate” is the everyday name for the legal authority to deal with someone’s money, property and possessions after they die. If there is a valid will naming executors, the executors apply for a grant of probate. If there is no will, the closest relatives apply for letters of administration instead. Both are types of “grant of representation” and the application process and timescales are broadly the same.
You do not always need a grant. According to GOV.UK, probate may not be required where the person who died only had savings, or where money, shares or property were owned jointly and pass automatically to the surviving owner. Each bank sets its own limit for releasing funds without a grant, so ask each organisation what it requires. If probate is not needed, the estate can often be dealt with in weeks.
How long does each stage of probate take?
It helps to think of probate as three stages. The timings below are typical ranges for England and Wales, not guarantees, and every estate is different.
Stage 1: Before you apply (typically 1 to 3 months)
- Register the death and locate the will. The original will is needed for the application. If it cannot be found straight away, this stage takes longer.
- Value the estate. You must obtain date-of-death figures from every bank, pension provider, insurer and lender, and valuations of property and other significant assets. Institutions can take weeks to reply, so this stage rarely takes less than a month.
- Deal with inheritance tax. If the estate is an “excepted estate” (for example, its value is below the £325,000 inheritance tax threshold, or everything passes to a spouse, civil partner or charity within the limits set by HMRC), you can usually go straight to the probate application. If inheritance tax is due, you must first send full details to HMRC on form IHT400, and GOV.UK states you must then wait for HMRC to send you a unique code before you can apply for probate. Inheritance tax must be paid by the end of the sixth month after the death, and a payment towards it is usually required before the grant can be issued. Taxable estates therefore almost always sit at the longer end of every range in this guide.
Stage 2: The probate application itself (usually up to 12 weeks)
Applications are made online through the HMCTS probate service or by post using form PA1P (where there is a will) or PA1A (where there is not). The application fee is £526 where the estate is worth more than £5,000; there is no fee for estates of £5,000 or less. Extra official copies of the grant cost £2 each if ordered with the application, and you will normally want several because each asset holder will ask for one.
GOV.UK states that you will usually get the grant within 12 weeks of submitting the application, and that it can take longer if HMCTS needs more information. In practice, complete online applications for uncontested estates are often dealt with more quickly than that, while applications that are “stopped” because something is missing or inconsistent can take much longer. If you have heard nothing after 12 weeks, GOV.UK advises contacting the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre.
Stage 3: Administering the estate after the grant (typically 3 to 9 months, sometimes longer)
The grant unlocks the estate; it is not the end of the job. The executors or administrators must then collect in the assets, pay debts and expenses, finalise the tax position, prepare estate accounts and distribute what is left. Several legal timescales feed into this stage:
- Selling a property. A house or flat usually cannot complete a sale until the grant has been issued, so the estate is then dependent on the housing market and the conveyancing process. A property sale commonly adds three to six months.
- Creditor notices. Personal representatives who place statutory notices under section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925 (in The Gazette and a local newspaper) must wait at least two months before distributing, in return for protection against unknown creditors.
- Claims against the estate. A claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 must generally be issued within six months of the grant. Where there is any risk of a claim, executors often wait until that period has passed before making a final distribution.
- The “executor’s year”. The law does not expect personal representatives to distribute an estate before the first anniversary of the death. That does not mean every estate should take a year, but beneficiaries cannot usually insist on payment before then.
How long does probate take with a will compared with no will?
A valid will usually makes probate quicker. The executors are already identified and can start work immediately, whereas without a will the family must first work out who is entitled to apply under the intestacy rules. The will also says who inherits, removing the need to trace relatives. The court’s own processing time is broadly the same for both types of grant; the difference lies in the preparation beforehand.
What causes probate delays, and can you speed it up?
The most common causes of delay are: an inheritance tax return being needed, an application being stopped by HMCTS because information is missing or the original will has not arrived, slow responses from banks, a property that has to be sold, assets held overseas, beneficiaries who cannot be traced, and family disputes or a caveat lodged at the Probate Registry to stop a grant being issued.
You cannot shorten HMCTS’s own processing time, but you can avoid adding to it: send a complete and consistent application, use the online service where possible, send the original will promptly, order enough official copies at the outset, and start the estate valuation early. Where inheritance tax is due, deal with HMRC as soon as figures are available so the application is not held up by the tax return.
Once probate has been granted, what happens next?
Send an official copy of the grant to each bank, pension provider and insurer with a closing instruction, so funds can be paid into an executors’ account. Instruct agents and conveyancers on any property. Settle debts and expenses, and clear the estate’s income tax and any remaining inheritance tax with HMRC. Then prepare estate accounts, obtain receipts from the beneficiaries and distribute the estate. Where a beneficiary is a child or the will creates a trust, the executors may hold funds for years.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the grant of probate take after applying?
GOV.UK says you will usually receive the grant within 12 weeks of submitting a complete application, and that it can take longer if further information is needed.
Can probate be completed in under six months?
Yes, for a simple estate: no inheritance tax to pay, no property to sell, assets held in the UK and no disputes. Where any of those factors is present, six months is unlikely.
Why has my probate application been stopped?
HMCTS stops applications where something is missing or inconsistent, for example the original will has not been received, names or dates do not match the death certificate, or the inheritance tax figures do not tie up. The application resumes once the issue is resolved, so accuracy at the outset matters.
How much do solicitors charge for probate, and does using one make it faster?
Fees vary with the size and complexity of the estate and how much of the work the executors do themselves, so ask for a written estimate before instructing anyone. A solicitor cannot change HMCTS’s processing time, but a correctly prepared application is less likely to be stopped, and experienced handling of the tax return, creditor notices and estate accounts often avoids the delays described above.
If you are an executor or administrator and would like help with any stage of probate, the Wills, Probate, Tax and Trusts team at Gregory Abrams Davidson advises families across Liverpool, Wirral and North West London and can handle as much or as little of the process as you need. You can contact the team here.
Important: This guide is general information, not legal advice. It reflects the law and practice in England and Wales at the date shown. Every situation is different, and the process, timescales, costs and requirements can vary depending on your circumstances. For advice on your own situation, please contact Gregory Abrams Davidson.
Last reviewed: September 2026
