How long does probate take in England and Wales?

The short answer

Obtaining the Grant of Probate itself takes up to 12 weeks (HMCTS recently averaged around 5) after HMCTS receives a correctly completed application. The full process of administering the estate — from registering the death to distributing the estate to beneficiaries — typically takes 6–12 months.

Why does it take so long?

Estate administration is not one single step — it’s a sequence of tasks, many of which depend on responses from third parties (banks, HMRC, HMCTS) that have their own processing timescales. These cannot be rushed.

A realistic timeline

Weeks 1–2: Registration and initial steps

Registering the death (legally required within 5 days in England and Wales) and ordering death certificates. You’ll need at least 6–10 certified copies — every institution you notify will need one.

Weeks 2–8: Estate valuation

Identifying and valuing all assets and liabilities. Banks and investment platforms typically take 4–6 weeks to provide date-of-death valuations. Property valuations from a RICS surveyor or estate agent usually take 1–2 weeks to arrange.

This phase can’t begin properly until you have death certificates to send with valuation requests.

Weeks 4–20: Probate application and grant

Once the estate is valued and any IHT returns filed, you submit the probate application (PA1P or PA1A) to HMCTS. The current processing time is up to 12 weeks — though straightforward applications are sometimes processed faster.

HMCTS may request additional information, which pauses the clock. Common queries include questions about the will’s execution, or discrepancies in the deceased’s name.

If IHT is due: add 2–4 months

If Inheritance Tax is payable, you must submit the IHT400 to HMRC before or alongside the probate application. HMRC aims to process IHT400 forms within 20 working days, but complex cases can take longer. HMRC may also open an enquiry into the estate’s values, which can add months.

IHT payment is due within 6 months of the end of the month of death — even if probate hasn’t been granted. Late payment incurs interest.

Months 3–9: Asset collection

Once you have the Grant of Probate, you can formally request each institution to close accounts and transfer funds. Banks typically take 4–8 weeks to process this. Selling property adds the full conveyancing timeline (typically 8–12 weeks after finding a buyer).

Months 9–12+: Distribution

Once all assets are collected and all liabilities settled, you distribute the estate to beneficiaries and close the executor account.

What makes it take longer?

• Inheritance Tax disputes — HMRC may challenge property or business valuations, which can delay clearance by 6–18 months
• Property in the estate — finding a buyer and completing a sale adds months
• Multiple executors or beneficiaries — requires more coordination
• Missing assets or unclear ownership — requires investigation
• Foreign assets — subject to the laws of the country where held; specialist advice often needed
• Contested wills or disputes — can delay or halt distribution for years
• Missing beneficiaries — if a beneficiary can’t be located, you may need to take out insurance before distributing

What speeds it up?

• Having an up-to-date will naming clear executors
• Gathering death certificates quickly and ordering enough copies
• Completing the estate profile promptly and requesting valuations early
• Submitting a complete, accurate probate application — errors or omissions trigger delays
• Paying IHT on time (before the 6-month deadline) to avoid interest
• Using TidyEstate to generate correctly filled HMCTS/HMRC forms, reducing the risk of queries

Can I do anything while waiting for the Grant of Probate?

Yes. While waiting, you can:

• Notify institutions of the death (using a death certificate) to freeze accounts and start the process
• Secure the property — continue insuring it, maintain it, and keep it safe
• Pay urgent bills from estate funds if the bank will allow it (most banks allow funeral expenses and mortgage payments before probate)
• Prepare the institution notification letters (TidyEstate generates these so they’re ready to send the moment probate is granted)