How long does probate take in 2026?

Probate almost always takes longer than people expect, and the uncertainty is one of the hardest parts. Here is a realistic picture of the current timelines in England and Wales, where the delays tend to happen, and — when things stall — exactly how to chase, with templates you can copy.

The 6–12 month range is a typical real-world estimate, not a guaranteed timescale — every estate is different.

The timeline, stage by stage

1. Register the death — within 5 days

   In England and Wales a death must be registered within 5 days. You'll get the documents you need to start dealing with the estate.

2. Value the estate and deal with Inheritance Tax first

   Before you can apply for probate, you value the estate and report Inheritance Tax if any is due. Where a full IHT account is needed, HMRC processes it before probate can be granted, and there is a built-in wait of around 20 working days after HMRC receives the account or payment. Applying before that window has passed is itself a common cause of delay.

3. Apply for the grant — usually issued within 12 weeks

   Once a correct application is submitted, GOV.UK says the grant usually issues within 12 weeks. Online applications are typically quicker than paper ones. The clock effectively restarts if the registry “stops” the application to ask for something.

4. Collect in, settle debts and distribute

   After the grant, you collect in the assets, pay debts and any remaining tax, and distribute what's left to the beneficiaries. Executors traditionally allow up to a year for this — the so-called “executor's year”.

Where the delays come from

• A “stop” at the registry. Around a third of applications are paused at some point because something is missing or needs checking — the original will, a missing document, or Inheritance Tax information. Stopped cases take substantially longer.
• Waiting on HMRC.Where Inheritance Tax is involved, probate can't be granted until HMRC has processed the account, so any delay there delays the grant.
• Executor-side issues. A missing original will, a mis-valued estate, or incomplete Inheritance Tax figures are all common triggers for a stop.
• Applying too early. Sending the probate application before the IHT account has cleared HMRC is one of the most common avoidable causes of delay.

How to chase a delayed application

If you applied by post, GOV.UK advises waiting 12 weeks before chasing. If you applied online you can usually check progress in your account at any time. When you make contact, have your application reference number and submission date ready — quoting them gets you a faster answer.

Phone numbers and timings are from GOV.UK and can change — check the linked pages if in doubt.

Subject: Chasing probate application [your reference number]

Dear Probate Registry,

I am writing to ask for an update on a grant of probate application.

Application reference: [your reference number]
Name of the deceased: [full name]
Date of death: [date]
Date application submitted: [date]

It is now more than 12 weeks since I submitted the application and I have not yet received the grant or been told that anything further is needed. Please could you let me know the current status of the application and whether you require anything from me.

Thank you for your help.

[Your name]
[Your role: executor / applicant]
[Your contact details]

Subject: Inheritance Tax account — request for update [IHT reference]

Dear HMRC,

I am writing to ask for an update on an Inheritance Tax account so that I can apply for probate.

Inheritance Tax reference: [IHT reference number]
Name of the deceased: [full name]
Date of death: [date]
Date the IHT400 / payment was sent: [date]

The standard processing time appears to have passed and I have not yet received confirmation that the account has been processed. Please could you confirm the current status and whether anything further is needed from me.

Thank you for your help.

[Your name]
[Your role: executor / personal representative]
[Your contact details]