⚡ Quick answer: Simple estate with cash only — as little as 3–4 months. Average estate with property — 9–12 months. Complex estate with IHT or disputes — 12–24+ months.
The Probate Timeline: Stage by Stage
Gathering information
Identify all assets and liabilities. Contact banks, pension providers, insurers. Value the estate for HMRC purposes.
HMRC submission
Complete inheritance tax forms (IHT205 or IHT400). Pay any IHT due — this must happen before the Grant of Probate is issued.
Applying for Grant of Probate
Submit the Probate Application to HMCTS. Current processing times at the Probate Registry are 8–16 weeks.
Collecting assets
Use the Grant to close bank accounts, sell investments, begin property sale if applicable.
Distributing the estate
Pay debts and liabilities, finalise tax affairs, distribute to beneficiaries. Issue estate accounts for all beneficiaries to sign off.
What Causes Delays?
The biggest factors that extend the probate timeline:
- Property sales — conveyancing adds 3–6 months minimum
- Inheritance Tax — HMRC review of IHT400 can take 3–6 months
- Missing assets — tracing old pensions, forgotten accounts
- Contested Will — disputes can add years
- HMCTS backlogs — Probate Registry delays have been significant since 2021
- Insolvent estate — creditor claims must be dealt with first
How Much Does Probate Cost?
| Provider | Typical fee | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Legacy | From £195 | Full estate administration, fixed fee, no % of estate |
| High street solicitor | 1–4% of estate | Varies widely — often slow |
| Online services | £595–£1,500+ | Full service varies by complexity |
| DIY (self-administered) | £273 court fee only | All work done by family — risk of errors |
On an estate worth £300,000, a solicitor charging 2% takes £6,000. Clear Legacy charges a fixed fee — regardless of estate size.
Can Probate Be Avoided?
Some assets pass outside of probate entirely: jointly owned property (passes by survivorship), assets held in trust, nominated pension death benefits, and jointly held bank accounts. A well-drafted Will and proper estate planning can significantly reduce the probate burden on your family.
Fixed Fee Probate from £195
No percentage of the estate. No hidden charges. Expert case managers handle everything.
Start Probate →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need probate?
Not always. Estates worth less than £5,000–£10,000 (the threshold varies by institution) may not require a Grant of Probate. Jointly owned assets pass automatically. Check with each bank or asset holder individually.
Can I speed up probate?
Yes. The most effective ways: gather all documents before applying, pay IHT promptly, use a professional service familiar with Probate Registry submission requirements, and avoid property disputes.
What is Letters of Administration?
If the deceased left no Will, there is no executor. The court issues Letters of Administration to the next of kin instead of a Grant of Probate. The process and timeline is similar.