How Long Does Probate Take in England & Wales (and What Can Delay It)?
- Probate & Estate Support Hub
- Dec 17, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
When someone dies, there’s often an unspoken expectation that probate will be dealt with quickly. People want life to return to normal. In reality, probate often takes longer than expected. The waiting can be emotionally draining and practically frustrating.
I’ve spoken with thousands of bereaved families over the years. 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.
For more information on applying for probate, you may wish to read our article Applying for Probate.
If you are handling applying for probate and administering an estate yourself, our in depth guide Probate, Done Properly explains how to handle probate yourself in the right order — what to do next, what can safely wait, and where executors most often create problems by acting too early. It’s designed for people who want to do probate properly, not just quickly.
Watch: How Long Probate Really takes in England and Wales
Wondering how long probate takes? The timeline can vary depending on the estate, but there are some typical stages and delays to be aware of. This short video explains what to expect and where things can slow down.
Understanding Probate Timelines
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 often mean different things. This confusion can lead to frustration. Some people want to know:
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 just one step. It’s a process that starts with gathering information and usually ends many months later. This is when assets are collected, bills are settled, and distributions are made.
If you would like to learn more about the probate journey, you can join my email newsletter list for short, practical guidance on common probate issues as they arise.
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, while 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?”
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.
For more information you may wish to read our article Why Probate Applications Get Delayed (and How to Reduce the Risk)
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 may take 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.” They are 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 would like a detailed guide walking your through the process of applying for probate and administering the estate, and crucially how to avoid common mistakes executors make, our guide Probate, Done Properly gives you a clear, structured way to handle the process calmly, avoid common mistakes, and recognise when it’s sensible to pause — before a straightforward estate becomes a problem.
Further Reading & Useful Links
Guide: Probate, Done Properly
Guide: Executor Mistakes and Risks
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. Some estates complete sooner, while 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.