How long does probate take?
Last reviewed June 2026
Getting the grant and finishing the estate are different stages. In England and Wales, GOV.UK says you will usually receive the grant within 12 weeks of applying, although some applications take longer. Preparing the application and dealing with accounts, tax, debts and property add time. The whole process can take many months and sometimes longer than a year. Co-op Legal Services estimates 9–12 months for the overall probate process; individual estates vary. The most common delays are inheritance tax: where an IHT400 is needed you must wait 20 working days after HMRC receives the tax payment before the grant can be issued, and longer if HMRC queries the return. Waiting for asset valuations and tracing beneficiaries also add time.
Timeline at a glance
A typical journey looks like:
- Weeks 0–4: Register death, value the estate, gather paperwork
- Weeks 4–10: Submit IHT forms to HMRC (if needed), wait for clearance
- Weeks 10–20: Apply to HMCTS, wait for the grant
- Months 5–10: Collect assets, pay liabilities and tax
- Months 8–12: Distribute to beneficiaries, file final estate accounts
What slows it down
Inheritance tax adds 4–6 weeks because you can't apply for the grant until HMRC issues a clearance reference. Foreign assets need separate probate processes in each jurisdiction. Missing or contested wills can add 6+ months and trigger court involvement.
Statutory waiting periods
Even on a simple estate, two periods are non-negotiable: the 6-month Inheritance Act window during which a disappointed beneficiary can challenge the will, and the 2-month creditor notice period (placed in The Gazette). Most executors wait both out before distributing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I speed up probate?
You can avoid the longest delays by paying any inheritance tax due before applying, using the online HMCTS portal rather than paper forms, and providing complete supporting documents up front.
Why is probate taking so long?
Common reasons: HMRC tax processing, HMCTS backlog (currently averaging 12 weeks for paper applications), missing original will, foreign assets, or disputes between beneficiaries.
Do I have to wait for probate to do anything?
Not entirely. You can register the death, claim life insurance, access joint accounts, arrange the funeral, and start collecting paperwork before the grant arrives. You cannot sell property or close most sole-name bank accounts above the bank's threshold.
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