How long does probate take?
Getting the grant of probate itself now averages around 5 weeks from a complete application, but the whole process — valuing the estate, applying, then collecting and distributing assets — usually takes 6 to 12 months. Estates with property to sell, inheritance tax to pay, or disputes take longer.
The probate timeline, stage by stage
"Probate" is often used to mean the entire administration of an estate, but it really has three phases, and each adds time.
Phase 1 — Before you apply (1–3 months)
You register the death, find the will, identify the executors, and value everything the person owned and owed. Waiting for date-of-death valuations from banks, pension providers and share registrars is usually the slowest part. If inheritance tax is due, the relevant HMRC account must be reported and tax (or the first instalment) paid before the grant is issued.
Phase 2 — The grant (around 5 weeks)
Once a complete application reaches the probate registry, the average time to issue a grant has fallen to roughly 5 weeks. Mistakes, missing documents, or "stops" on the application can push this out considerably, which is why accuracy matters more than speed.
Phase 3 — After the grant (2–6+ months)
With the grant in hand, executors collect in the assets, sell or transfer property, settle debts and taxes, prepare estate accounts, and distribute to beneficiaries. Selling a house is frequently the long pole. Executors are often advised to wait until the six-month creditor and Inheritance Act window has passed before making final distributions.
James dies in January owning a house and two bank accounts, with no inheritance tax due. His executor spends February–March gathering valuations, applies in April, and receives the grant in mid-May (about 5 weeks). The house sells over the summer, debts are paid, and beneficiaries receive their shares in October — roughly nine months end to end.
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Sources
- GOV.UK — Applying for probate (application fee £300; estates over £5,000)
- GOV.UK — Probate fees and additional copies (£16 per copy)
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service — probate timeliness statistics, 2025
- GOV.UK — Valuing the estate of someone who's died
- Reviewed by
- ClearLegacy editorial team
- Last reviewed
- June 2026
- Next review
- December 2026
- Jurisdiction
- England & Wales
Frequently asked questions
How long does probate take in the UK?
The grant itself now averages around 5 weeks from a complete application, but administering the whole estate usually takes 6 to 12 months.
What slows probate down?
Waiting for date-of-death valuations, inheritance tax, selling a property, or any dispute. Selling a house is often the longest single step.
Is there a deadline to start probate?
There is no legal deadline to start, but executors must act with reasonable speed, and inheritance tax is generally due within six months of the end of the month of death.
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