How long probate takes is one of the most common questions executors ask. The honest answer is that it varies, but this guide sets out realistic timelines for each stage, explains what causes delays, and shows what you can do to keep things moving.
Broadly, probate involves three stages:
- Gathering the information needed to apply: assets, debts, valuations and inheritance tax forms.
- Submitting the probate application to the Probate Registry and waiting for the grant.
- Administering the estate once the grant has been issued.
Our Probate Checklist is a good starting point for stage one.
Step 1: Preparing the probate application
The grant of probate or letters of administration is the legal document that authorises the executor (if there is a will) or administrator (if there is not) to deal with the deceased person’s assets. Applying for it means completing a probate application form and, for larger estates, an inheritance tax account.
Getting the probate valuation right matters. Inheritance tax is calculated on asset values, and inaccurate figures can cause problems later. Executors and administrators can be held personally liable for errors, so thoroughness here is worth the effort.
Preparation typically takes four to ten weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the estate.
You may want to read: The Probate Checklist
Inheritance tax and the HMRC unique code
Where the estate requires a full inheritance tax account (form IHT400), there is an important extra step. HMRC sends a unique code after processing the IHT400, usually within 20 working days of receiving the form or the tax payment, whichever is later. The IHT421 probate summary no longer serves this function in England and Wales, having been replaced by the unique code system on 17 January 2024. Probate applications where an IHT400 has been submitted will not be accepted by HMCTS without these codes and values.
In practice, plan for four to six weeks from submission before you can apply for probate and that assumes your IHT400 is complete and accurate on first submission.
Note also that inheritance tax receipts reached £8.5 billion in 2025/26, with frozen thresholds pulling more families into the IHT net each year. It is worth checking early whether the estate needs the full IHT400 or qualifies as an excepted estate.
Step 2: How long does the Probate Registry take?
This is where timelines become harder to predict. HMCTS processes applications through the Probate Registry, and GOV.UK’s own guidance says you will usually get probate within 12 weeks of submitting your application.
The published figures are faster than that. The Ministry of Justice’s Family Court Statistics Quarterly for January to March 2026 puts the mean time from submission to the grant being issued at five weeks, with a median of one week. Digital applications that were not stopped, which made up around seven in ten of all grants issued, took about two weeks. Letters of administration take longer: roughly 11 weeks where there is no will, and around 20 weeks where there is a will but no executor able to act. Because 93% of applications are now made digitally, the headline figures are effectively digital figures, and MoJ does not publish a separate average for paper applications at all.
Using a probate professional can speed things up
Errors in the application are the single biggest controllable cause of delay. A stopped application adds weeks. This is why many executors instruct a probate solicitor or professional administrator to handle the application. Professionals also have access to the MyHMCTS portal, an online system restricted to approved practitioners that allows direct submission and case tracking.
Step 3: Administering the estate
Once the grant is issued, the executor can collect assets, settle debts and distribute the estate to beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are either named in the will or determined by the rules of intestacy.
Most estates in England and Wales take around 9 to 12 months to fully administer, with simple cases sometimes completing in 6 to 9 months and complex estates stretching to 18 months or more. A property sale, unresolved debts or a dispute among beneficiaries will all extend that timeline.
Factors that affect how long probate takes
Complexity of the estate
A straightforward estate with a few bank accounts and one property can move quickly. Multiple properties, business interests, overseas assets or missing beneficiaries all add time. Contested estates, foreign assets or complex tax affairs can extend the process to two to four years.
Inheritance tax
If inheritance tax is due, this adds layers to the process. Executors face real pressure: they must value everything, calculate the tax, and pay it by the end of the sixth month after the month in which the person died. For a death in March, that means the end of September. Interest runs on anything still unpaid after that date, even if the forms have not yet gone in. Tax on land, a business or certain shares can be paid in ten annual instalments instead, but the first instalment falls due on the same date.
Probate loans and probate finance options, including loans specifically to cover inheritance tax, can resolve this.
Disputes
A dispute between executors or beneficiaries can halt the process. If a probate caveat is lodged, the Probate Registry will not issue the grant until it is resolved. Resolution can take months or, in serious cases, considerably longer.
Executor efficiency
The executor’s duties are extensive. An organised executor who gathers information promptly and responds quickly to queries from the Registry or HMRC will consistently shorten the process. Many people instruct a probate practitioner for exactly this reason.
A change coming in April 2027
Executors dealing with estates that include pension funds should be aware of a significant change ahead. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds will fall within the scope of inheritance tax, replacing the long-established position that pension pots are generally outside a deceased person’s estate for IHT purposes. This is confirmed legislation. It will affect estate valuations, IHT calculations and the overall complexity of many probate applications from that date onwards.
Tips for speeding up the probate process
Hire a probate practitioner
A probate solicitor or licensed probate practitioner knows the process, spots errors before they cause delays, and can access systems not available to members of the public. Their experience pays for itself when the alternative is a stopped application sitting in a queue. You can request a consultation with a probate specialist or get a probate quote to compare solicitor costs.
Apply online
Digital applications are processed considerably faster than paper ones, and 93% of applications are now made online. Where possible, use the online application route.
Keep detailed records
Record all assets, debts and beneficiaries from the outset. Keep copies of every communication with banks, creditors and other parties. Good records prevent errors and make it straightforward to respond if the Registry raises a query.
Understand the process and avoid costly mistakes
Mistakes in the probate application can lead to long delays and, in serious cases, to contentious probate or personal liability for the executor. This site provides resources to help at every stage. If there is a property in the estate, house insurance during probate must also be maintained throughout.
Frequently asked questions
How long does probate take from start to finish in 2026?
The overall timescale includes gathering information (4 to 10 weeks), preparing inheritance tax forms and the probate application (4 to 8 weeks), waiting for the grant (2 to 14 weeks), then collecting assets and distributing the estate (3 to 9 months). For most estates, expect 9 to 12 months in total. Complex estates routinely take longer.
How long is the Probate Registry currently taking to process applications?
The most recent published figures, from the Ministry of Justice’s Family Court Statistics Quarterly for January to March 2026, show a mean of five weeks from submission to the grant being issued, and around two weeks for digital applications that were not stopped. Applications that are stopped, because the registry needs further information or something does not match, took 14 weeks on average. Always check GOV.UK for the current published estimate before planning.
What causes a probate application to be stopped or delayed?
The biggest cause of long waits is a stopped application, put on hold for missing documents, errors, details that do not match the death certificate, or inheritance tax figures that do not match HMRC’s records. Errors in the IHT400, unresolved disputes and missing valuations are also common causes. A probate solicitor can review the application before submission to reduce this risk significantly.
Will the changes to pension inheritance tax in 2027 affect probate timelines?
Yes, potentially. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds will fall within the scope of inheritance tax. For affected estates, this will add complexity to the IHT400 and the estate valuation, which is likely to extend preparation time and increase the importance of accurate record-keeping. Executors of estates with significant pension assets should seek specialist advice well in advance of that date.
This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and thresholds can change and every estate is different. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a qualified professional. You can book a free legal consultation through The Probate Network.
