How Long Does Probate Take in England & Wales (and What Can Delay It)?
- Probate & Estate Support Hub
- Dec 17
- 6 min read
When someone dies, there’s often an unspoken expectation that probate will be dealt with quickly — that life can move back towards normal. In reality, probate often takes longer than people expect, and the waiting can be emotionally draining as well as practically frustrating.
I’ve spoken with thousands of bereaved families over the years, and one of the most common questions I hear is: “How long does probate take — and is something going wrong?”
This guide explains how long probate typically takes in England & Wales, what actually causes delays, and when it’s worth pausing to reassess your options. I don’t offer legal advice, but I can help you understand your options and make sense of the process.
At a Glance
Probate commonly takes 6–12 months from death to completion
The application stage alone often takes 8–16 weeks, sometimes longer
Delays are usually caused by paperwork issues, valuations, property, or HMRC checks
Estates with property, missing information, or no will often take longer
Using a solicitor doesn’t guarantee speed — but it can reduce risk and stress
In This Guide
What people usually mean by “how long probate takes”
Typical probate timelines (start to finish)
How long probate takes once it’s submitted
Common reasons probate is delayed
How long probate takes with or without a solicitor
Probate timelines where there is no will
When delays are normal — and when to pause and reassess
What Do People Mean by “How Long Does Probate Take?”
When people ask how long does probate take, they’re often talking about slightly different things — which is part of the confusion.
Some mean:
How long until probate is granted
How long before money is released
How long before a house can be sold
Or how long the entire estate administration takes
In practice, probate isn’t one single step. It’s a process that starts with gathering information and usually ends many months later, once assets are collected, bills settled, and distributions made.
Typical Probate Timeline (Start to Finish)
For a straightforward estate in England & Wales, a rough overall timeline often looks like this:
Early administration & information gathering: 4–8 weeks
Probate application submitted: once valuations and paperwork are ready
Waiting for the grant of probate: 8–16 weeks (sometimes longer; can be faster)
Post-grant estate administration: 3–9 months
Put together, many estates fall somewhere in the 6–12 month range. Some complete sooner. Others take significantly longer.
This is why comparisons can be misleading — two estates can look similar on the surface but move at very different speeds.
How Long Does Probate Take Once Submitted?
A very common question I hear is: “We’ve submitted the application — how long now?”
At the moment, once a probate application is submitted, it commonly takes 8 to 16 weeks to receive the grant. However:
Applications can be paused for queries
HMRC checks can extend the timeline
Errors or missing information can reset the clock
From the outside, it can feel like nothing is happening. In reality, most delays here are administrative rather than personal — but that doesn’t make the waiting easier.
What Commonly Delays Probate and the Administration of the Estate?
In my experience, probate delays usually fall into a few predictable patterns.
Property and valuations
Property is one of the biggest sources of delay. Valuations take time, sales take longer, and disagreements about value can stall progress.
Incomplete or unclear information
Missing bank details, unclear gifts, or uncertainty about debts often cause back-and-forth that slows everything down.
Inheritance Tax complexity
Even where no tax is ultimately payable, estates involving property, gifts, or trusts tend to face more scrutiny and longer processing times.
Family dynamics
Disagreements between executors or beneficiaries can quietly slow things to a crawl, even without formal disputes.
How Long Does Probate Take With a Solicitor?
Many people assume using a solicitor automatically makes probate faster. Sometimes it does — but not always.
With a solicitor:
The process may feel more structured and less stressful
Errors are often caught earlier
Communication with institutions can be smoother
However, solicitors still rely on information from banks, valuers, HMRC, and third parties. They can’t remove all delays — but they can often prevent avoidable ones.
How Long Does Probate Take Without a Will?
When there is no will, the probate application (technically letters of administration), should not take longer.
The overall process of applying for probate and administering an estate can however take slightly longer. This is usually due to:
Family relationships need to be established
There can be uncertainty over who should apply
Institutions taking longer to process requests
In these cases, any delays are usually completely normal.
A Typical Real-World Scenario
Imagine a situation where someone dies owning a house, with a will naming two executors.
One executor lives locally and is proactive. The other lives abroad and responds slowly. The property needs valuing, one bank account is forgotten initially, and HMRC raises a routine query.
Nothing has gone “wrong” — but what might have taken six months now takes closer to a year. This kind of timeline is far more common than people expect.
Common Misconceptions About Probate Timelines
“Probate always takes the same amount of time”
It doesn’t. Each estate moves at its own pace depending on complexity and cooperation.
“Once probate is granted, everything is basically finished”
The grant is a key step — but much of the work often comes after it.
“If it’s taking a long time, someone must be doing something wrong”
In many cases, delays are procedural, not a sign of mistakes or incompetence.
“Using a solicitor guarantees speed”
It can help — but it doesn’t override external delays.
The Emotional Side of Waiting
What people often don’t talk about is how unsettling the waiting can be. Probate delays can hold grief open, delay practical closure, and create tension between family members.
I regularly speak with people who feel they’re “stuck” — unsure whether to push, wait, or change approach. That uncertainty is often harder than the paperwork itself.
When It May Be Worth Getting More Support
It can be worth exploring professional help when:
Delays start causing financial strain
Property is involved and timelines matter
Executors feel overwhelmed or at risk of mistakes
Communication between parties breaks down
That doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it usually means the estate has crossed from simple into complex.
If you want to sense-check where things stand, the Probate Assistant on the website can help you understand likely next steps and whether delays are typical in your situation.
And if you’re at the start of the process or feeling stuck, I offer 30-minute clarity calls. They’re not legal advice — just a calm, practical way to talk things through with someone experienced.
If you have not yet applied for probate and would like a free, no obligation call with a solicitor to understand more about professional help and receive a quotation, you can fill in the enquiry form at the bottom of the Contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does probate take after death?
In many cases, probate takes between 6 and 12 months from the date of death, though some estates complete sooner and others take longer.
How long does probate take once submitted?
Once the application is submitted, it commonly takes 8–16 weeks to receive the grant, depending on complexity and checks.
How long does probate take in the UK if there is a will?
Having a will often makes the process smoother, but probate can still take several months, especially where property or multiple assets are involved.
How long does probate take without a will?
Without a will, probate can take longer due to extra paperwork and checks, though timelines vary widely.
Does using a solicitor make probate faster?
Not always faster — but it can reduce stress, prevent errors, and help manage complexity, which may avoid longer delays later.
Further Reading & Useful Links
If you’re dealing with probate delays, try not to assume the worst. Many estates take longer than expected — and often for reasons outside anyone’s control. Getting clarity about why things are taking time can make a real difference to how manageable it feels.
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James Long
Founder, Probate & Estate Support Hub