How long does probate take? In England and Wales, a grant of probate took about five weeks on average from application in April to June 2026, and GOV.UK says to expect it within 12 weeks. But the grant is only one stage. We typically expect a full estate administration to take six to 18 months, with three to four months of preparation before the application goes in.
This guide sets out each stage, what causes delays, what you can do while you wait and when beneficiaries can expect to receive money.
Key takeaways
- Grants of probate took around five weeks on average from application in April to June 2026, according to Ministry of Justice figures.
- Letters of administration took longer: 10 weeks without a will and 22 weeks with a will.
- If an application is stopped, the average rises to 14 weeks, compared with two weeks for grants not stopped.
- Executors are not legally required to distribute an estate within the first year after death.
How long does probate take in the UK?
The current waiting time for probate in England and Wales is around five weeks from application to grant, on average. The Family Court Statistics Quarterly for April to June 2026 gives these mean times from submission of the application:
| Type of grant | Average time from application to grant |
|---|---|
| Grant of probate | About 5 weeks |
| Letters of administration without a will | 10 weeks |
| Letters of administration with a will | 22 weeks |
| Stopped applications | 14 weeks |
| Grants that were not stopped | 2 weeks |
The same figures show 61,941 applications made and 57,698 grants issued in the quarter, with 92% of applications made online. GOV.UK says you will usually get probate within 12 weeks and warns that paper applications take longer than online ones, so plan around 12 weeks rather than the average.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules, so this guide applies to England and Wales only.
How long does each stage of probate take?
The whole process has several stages, and the wait at the Probate Registry is often not the longest. Here is a typical timeline.
- Gather information (often several months). Value the assets and debts, and contact banks, pension providers and insurers. On our probate and estate administration service, reaching the point of applying usually takes about three to four months.
- Report to HMRC if needed. If the estate must be reported on form IHT400, HMRC usually sends the code needed to apply within 20 working days of receiving the form or payment, whichever is later.
- Apply for the grant. Expect around five weeks on average, and up to 12 weeks under GOV.UK’s guidance.
- Collect in the assets. Banks and other organisations release funds once they see the grant.
- Pay debts and tax. Clear liabilities, then finalise any tax.
- Distribute the estate. Prepare estate accounts and pay beneficiaries.
From start to finish, full estate administration typically takes six to 18 months on our files, depending on the circumstances.
What slows probate down?
Probate is usually slowed down by third parties, missing information or a dispute rather than the application itself. The most common causes are:
- A stopped application. The Probate Registry may need more information. The 14-week average for stopped applications shows the cost of getting an application wrong.
- HMRC. Estates that need a full account must wait for the HMRC code before applying.
- Banks and financial institutions. Each sets its own process for releasing funds.
- Property sales. A sale can add months, particularly if there are few buyers or a chain.
- Paper applications. These take longer than online ones.
- No will. Letters of administration take longer on average than probate.
- Disputes. Claims by family members or disagreements between beneficiaries can pause distribution.
Inheritance Tax can add pressure. It must be paid by the end of the sixth month after death to avoid interest, so you will normally need to start paying before the grant is issued.
Is probate quicker with a solicitor?
A solicitor does not jump the queue at the Probate Registry, because the same registry processes every application. Probate can still move faster with a solicitor if the application is complete and correct first time, since a stopped application took 14 weeks on average in the latest figures.
The bigger difference comes before and after the grant: chasing institutions, dealing with HMRC and preparing accounts. How long does probate take with a solicitor? On our files, three to four months to reach the application, and six to 18 months for a full administration. We can handle a grant-only application or the whole process, and we explain each step along with timescales and costs.
What can you do while waiting for probate?
While waiting for probate, you can collect information and protect the estate, but you should be careful about selling or distributing anything. Useful steps include:
- Keeping a record of everything the person owned and owed.
- Notifying banks, insurers and pension providers of the death.
- Checking that any property stays insured, secure and maintained.
- Keeping receipts for all costs you pay on the estate’s behalf.
- Starting to pay any Inheritance Tax that is due.
Do not promise money to beneficiaries or agree to sell assets until you have taken advice, because you may be personally responsible if something goes wrong. A property can usually be marketed before the grant, but the sale generally cannot complete until it has been issued.
How long after probate is granted do you get money?
Beneficiaries often receive their money some months after the grant, because debts, tax and claims must be dealt with first. There is no fixed period, and a straightforward estate can pay out far sooner than a complex one.
Many personal representatives wait at least six months from the grant before making a final distribution. That is because a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 generally cannot be made after six months from the date of the grant without the court’s permission.
Executors may also give notice to unknown creditors under section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925, which must allow at least two months for claims.
How long does an executor have to distribute an estate?
An executor has no fixed legal deadline to distribute an estate, but is not obliged to do so within a year of death. Under section 44 of the Administration of Estates Act 1925, a personal representative “is not bound to distribute” before the expiry of one year from the death. This period is often called the executor’s year.
The executor’s year is not a deadline, and many estates finish sooner or later. Executors must still act properly and without unreasonable delay, so beneficiaries who hear nothing for a long time are entitled to ask for an update.
Do you always need probate?
No, you do not always need probate. GOV.UK says you may not need it if the person only had savings, or if they owned money, shares or property jointly in a way that passes automatically to the surviving owner, such as land held as joint tenants.
Each organisation sets its own rules. Contact the bank, mortgage company and other institutions before you assume probate is not needed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does probate take if there is no will?
If there is no will, you apply for letters of administration rather than a grant of probate. Letters of administration without a will took 10 weeks on average from application to grant in April to June 2026, compared with about five weeks for probate, according to Ministry of Justice figures.
Can you sell a house before probate is granted?
You can usually put a house on the market before probate is granted, but the sale generally cannot complete until the grant has been issued, unless the property passes automatically to a surviving joint owner. Tell your estate agent about the likely timing, and speak to a solicitor before accepting an offer.
Can you chase a probate application?
Yes. You can contact HMCTS if your application has gone beyond the expected time. GOV.UK says you will usually get probate within 12 weeks, so that is a reasonable point to raise it. Before you do, check that you have replied to any request for further information, as this is a common cause of delay.
What happens if an executor takes too long?
If an executor takes too long, beneficiaries should first ask for an update and an explanation in writing. Where there is no good reason for the delay, a beneficiary can take legal advice on applying to the court. The executor’s year does not protect an executor from unreasonable delay.
Next steps if you are dealing with probate
How long probate takes depends on the estate, but most of the delay is avoidable with an accurate application and good records. At Berry Smith, our Private Client team in Cardiff and Bridgend is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and can help with a grant-only application or full administration. To talk through your situation, please contact us.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Your circumstances may differ, so please take advice on your own situation.