How Long Does Probate Take in 2026? Timeline & Process Guide

What Is Probate and Why Does It Matter?

Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. It involves proving the validity of the will (if there is one), identifying and valuing assets, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries.

In England and Wales, the formal document you receive is called a Grant of Probate if the person left a valid will, or a Grant of Letters of Administration if they died without one. In both cases, the grant gives the executor or administrator the legal authority to deal with the estate’s assets.

Without the grant, banks, building societies, and the Land Registry will generally refuse to release funds or transfer property. This is why probate matters — it is the key that unlocks the estate.

The Probate Timeline: Step by Step

The total time from death to final distribution varies, but here is what a typical probate process looks like and how long each stage tends to take.

Stage 1: Immediate Steps (Weeks 1-4)

In the first few weeks after a death, the executor needs to:

• Register the death and obtain the death certificate.
• Locate the original will and identify all executors.
• Notify banks, building societies, pension providers, and insurers.
• Begin gathering information about the deceased’s assets and liabilities.
• Arrange the funeral (some costs can be reclaimed from the estate).

This stage is primarily about information gathering. You are building a complete picture of what the estate contains and what it owes.

Stage 2: Valuing the Estate (Weeks 4-10)

Before you can apply for probate, you need accurate valuations for all assets:

• Property. Obtain a formal estate agent valuation or RICS surveyor valuation. For IHT purposes, you need the market value at the date of death.
• Bank and building society accounts. Write to each provider requesting a date-of-death balance.
• Investments and shares. Obtain valuations from stockbrokers, fund managers, or the share registrar.
• Personal possessions. Items of significant value (jewellery, antiques, art, vehicles) should be professionally valued.
• Pensions and life insurance. Contact each provider to establish whether any lump sum death benefits are payable.
• Debts. Identify all outstanding debts including mortgages, credit cards, loans, and utility bills.

This stage often takes the longest because you are dependent on third parties responding to your requests. Some financial institutions are faster than others.

Stage 3: IHT Reporting and Payment (Weeks 8-14)

If the estate is above the IHT threshold, or if certain conditions apply, you will need to complete the full IHT400 form and pay any tax due before the grant can be issued.

Key points about IHT timing:

• IHT must be paid within six months of the end of the month in which the person died. Interest is charged after that date.
• You can apply to pay IHT on property and certain other assets in annual instalments over 10 years, though interest applies.
• Some banks offer estate loans or will release funds from the deceased’s accounts directly to HMRC to cover the IHT bill, avoiding the need for executors to fund it personally.

If the estate is below the IHT threshold and no tax is due, you may be able to use the shorter IHT205 form (or report the estate as an excepted estate), which simplifies the process significantly.

Stage 4: Applying for the Grant (Weeks 10-16)

Once you have the valuations and have dealt with IHT, you can submit the probate application. You can apply online through the GOV.UK service or by post.

The application requires:

• The original will (if there is one).
• The death certificate.
• The completed IHT form.
• The application fee of £300 (for estates over £5,000).
• A statement of truth from the executor.

The online application is generally faster. Once submitted, HM Courts and Tribunals Service typically issues the grant within 8 to 12 weeks, though processing times can vary depending on workload and complexity.

Stage 5: Collecting Assets and Paying Debts (Weeks 18-30)

With the grant in hand, you can now:

• Send certified copies of the grant to each bank, building society, and financial institution to release funds.
• Transfer or sell property (you will need the grant to change the Land Registry records).
• Cash in or transfer investments.
• Pay all outstanding debts, including funeral costs, utility bills, credit cards, and any outstanding tax.
• Place statutory notices in The Gazette and a local newspaper to protect yourself against unknown creditors (you must wait at least two months after placing these notices before distributing the estate).

Stage 6: Preparing Estate Accounts and Distribution (Weeks 28-40)

The final stage involves:

• Preparing a full set of estate accounts showing all assets received, debts paid, and the amounts due to each beneficiary.
• Obtaining agreement from all beneficiaries (or their representatives) on the accounts.
• Making the final distributions.
• Filing the final tax return for the estate if required.

Current Probate Fees (2026)

The fee structure is straightforward:

• Estate valued at £5,000 or less: No fee.
• Estate valued over £5,000: £300 application fee.
• Additional copies of the grant: £1.50 each. It is advisable to order several copies, as many institutions require an original (not a photocopy).

These fees apply whether you use the online or postal application. Solicitor fees, if you choose to use one, are separate and vary widely — typically between £2,000 and £5,000 for a standard estate, and considerably more for complex cases.

What Causes Delays in Probate?

Several factors can push the probate timeline well beyond the typical 6-9 months:

• Missing or invalid will. If the will cannot be found, or if there are questions about its validity, the process stalls while these issues are resolved.
• Inheritance tax complications. Estates that require the full IHT400 form and HMRC review take longer, particularly if HMRC queries the valuations.
• Property that needs to be sold. If the estate includes property that must be sold to pay debts or IHT, the conveyancing process adds time.
• Disputes among beneficiaries. Contested wills or disagreements about distribution can cause significant delays and may require court intervention.
• Foreign assets. Assets held outside the UK often require separate probate proceedings in each jurisdiction.
• Missing beneficiaries. If a named beneficiary cannot be located, the executor must take reasonable steps to find them before distributing.
• Outstanding debts or claims. Creditors have six months from the date the grant is issued to make a claim against the estate.

When You Might Not Need Probate

Probate is not always necessary. Common situations where you can avoid it include:

• Jointly held property. Property held as joint tenants passes automatically to the surviving owner by right of survivorship, without probate.
• Joint bank accounts. These typically pass to the surviving holder without a grant.
• Small estates. Many banks and building societies will release accounts below a certain threshold (usually between £5,000 and £50,000) without requiring a grant, at their discretion.
• Assets held in trust. Trust assets are managed by the trustees and do not form part of the probate estate.
• Nominated assets. Some pension funds, life insurance policies, and National Savings products allow you to nominate a beneficiary, and the funds can be paid directly without probate.

Check Whether You Need Probate

If you are unsure whether probate is required for your situation, our free probate checker tool asks a few simple questions about the estate and tells you whether you are likely to need a grant.

Use the Probate Checker

You can also estimate the total cost of probate, including the application fee and typical solicitor charges, using our probate fees calculator.

Estimate Your Probate Costs