HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) have confirmed that the Grant of Probate application timescale should be back to the normal 10-day turn around for solicitors within the next few weeks.
Since the spring, it has been taking up to 3 months for Grants of Probate to be issued due to a software issue at the Probate Registry which coincided with a large increase in applications as Executors rushed to get applications in before the proposed fee increase, which has also now been scrapped by the government.
HMCTS have now told the Law Society that they are sending out nearly 7,000 grants per week and are trying to process new applications within three days of being received, but the majority of applications are processed within 28 days if inheritance tax forms are provided.
However, many solicitors have argued against HMCTS' claim that the system is returning to normal as most Firms are still waiting for Grants where applications were made back in the summer.
Law Society president Simon Davis has welcomed the news saying that "Over the past several months, the delays to probate grant applications have caused undue stress for grieving families. We are relieved to hear these delays are starting to ease and will continue to work with HMCTS to reduce the backlogs and create a probate service fit for the 21st century."
If you would like assistance obtaining a Grant of Probate then please phone the Private Client department on 01245 228125
This is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.
