Overall timeframe for probate
This depends upon the value and complexity of the estate and in simple estates we would look to complete them within 6-12 months. In more complex estates you are looking 12-24 months.
Key Stages
| 1. Taking your instructions and identifying you. | 1 week |
| 2. Taking instructions from the personal representatives and obtaining supporting documentation from them. | Approximately 3 weeks |
| 3. Requesting asset valuation and valuing the estate. | Approximately 6 weeks |
| 4. Applying for a Grant of Representation. | The timeframe depends upon whether the estate is taxable or not a taxable estate. To prepare and submit a Grant of Representation in a case where there is no Inheritance Tax payable will generally take around 4 weeks, but in a taxable estate which is complex it can take anywhere between 8 and 16 weeks. |
| 5. Obtaining the Grant. | Obtaining the Grant will depend upon how quickly the Probate Office process the application. They generally work within an 8 week timeframe but this can be longer in the case of a taxable estate. |
| 6. Collecting the assets. | This will generally take around 2 – 4 weeks. |
| 7. Paying the debts and legacies. | This will generally take around 2 weeks. |
| 8. Selling the assets. | Asset sales in the case of property can delay probate if a buyer needs to be found. It would depend upon the circumstances of the case as to how long that would take. |
| 9. Distributing the assets and paying the pecuniary legacies. | This will generally happen at the end of the case and therefore depending upon the complexity of the case it would either be at a 6 month point, or in very complex cases between 12 and 24 months. |
Preparing asset accounts
This will be the final step we take at the end of the case.
