How long does grant of probate take?

Before the probate process can begin, a Grant of Probate will need to be obtained. A Grant of Probate is a legal document that is issued by the Probate Registry, which is part of the court system. This document should be obtained by an executor who will be named in the Will of a deceased person. If there is no Will left behind, an Administrator is appointed by the court  to apply for the Grant of Probate instead.

It is highly advisable to consult with an experienced probate solicitor or lawyer during the probate process, as it can be a complex and time consuming task and often requires specialist advice.

What is Probate?

Probate is the process of reviewing a Will after someone has passed away and then administering their estate, combined with determining if the Will is valid and authentic.

Probate happens after a person dies and can be a relatively complex and time-consuming process. Grant of Probate refers to the legal document that provides the authority to distribute the estate of the deceased individual, according to the instructions that are left in the will.

It is important to note that Grant of Probate is not always required, most likely if the deceased person did not leave a Will. 

How long does Grant of Probate take?

Typically, a Grant of Probate can now take on average 8-12  weeks, if straightforward. Once this has been done, the whole process will ordinarily take a further 4-9  months on average, but in some circumstances can take up to a year to complete. This is dependent on multiple factors, such as the size of the estate and the complexity of the assets involved.

The Probate Process

There are many steps to the probate process, and these tasks can often be difficult to complete. The first step after someone dies is to register the death, this must be done within 5 days.

If the individual has left a Will behind, it will clearly name who they would like to administer their estate. This person is referred to as the ‘executor’ and will be the person who will have to apply for probate.

When probate is granted, the executor will be heavily involved in organising the deceased person’s finances, assets and debts, making sure they are distributed accordingly and that all taxes and debts have been paid.

The estate will then need to be valued, which is done by establishing the deceased individual’s assets and liabilities, as well as uncovering records of any other accounts they may have held. The process can be complicated, time consuming and will often require the support of an experienced  professional, particularly in the case of complicated estates.

Our  Private Client team can assist you with every part of the process.

Is there a time limit on applying for probate?

If you are applying in England and Wales, there is no time limit on the probate application process. However, it is important to note that there are certain aspects of the probate process and administration of the estate that must be dealt with within 6 months after the person has passed away.

How can we help?

At Kingsfords, our Private Client team are adept a helping our clients to navigate both simple and complex probate processes, including applying for Grant of Probate. We have many years of experience working in this area of the law and will do everything to make this process as stress free as possible.

We understand that you are likely to be going through a difficult time, so we take the necessary steps to handle all the legal aspects of the process whilst keeping you fully informed.

If you would like support to apply for a Grant of Probate, or assistance with other probate matters, you can contact us using the details below.

Contact our Wills and Probate department

If you require help with any probate related issues, including applying for a Grant of Probate, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our experienced Wills and Probate professionals. We will be able to assist with all matters related to the probate process.

We provide an efficient, friendly and sensitive service. You can call one of our offices in Ashford, Cranbrook or Hythe. You can also use our contact form to request a call back, in which case one of our solicitors or lawyers will be in touch shortly.