When someone passes away and you are required to take care of their assets, like their money, property and possessions, you will need to apply for a grant of probate. This is the legal process that allows you, the executor, to deal with their estate and start distributing it to the beneficiaries declared in the will or the rules of intestacy.
After you have applied for probate, you will of course be keen to get everything sorted as quickly as possible, so may want to track your probate application. In this article, we cover how to track a probate application, and how long you might have to wait based on the current timeframes in 2024.
Can you track a probate application in the UK?
Yes, you can track the progress of a probate application in the UK. The HM Courts & Tribunals Service provides an online service where you can apply and track the status of your probate application.
This service allows you to check the progress of your application and see any updates or correspondence related to it.
How to track a probate application
There are a few different ways you can track a probate application, depending on your individual preference.
If you prefer doing things online, first of all, sign in using your Gov.uk account information that you will have used to complete the application. Once you have signed in, you will be asked to provide a reference number for the probate application, or give the details of the deceased person. From here, it will allow you to track the progress of the application, and let you know if you need to do anything else.
If you don’t have access to the internet, or don’t feel confident using the online portal, the service offers a number of other ways to get support and track your application:
Telephone them on 03300 160 051 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (closed on bank holidays and charges may apply)
Text FORM to 60777 and someone will call you back
Email support@wearegroup.com
If you have been working with a solicitor or a professional probate service to handle the application on your behalf, they should also be able to provide you with updates on the progress of the application.
How do I know if probate is being processed?
To know if a probate application is being processed, you should check your records and review any paperwork or confirmation you may have received. This could include receipts for application fees, acknowledgment letters, or reference numbers provided by the Probate Registry. This may have been sent via email, post or text messages.
Always be sure to check your ‘Junk’ and ‘Spam’ folders in your email inbox just in case they have landed there!
As mentioned above, you can contact the Probate Registry where the application was submitted directly. Provide them with the necessary details, such as the deceased person's name and date of death, and ask about the status of the application. They should be able to provide you with information on whether the application has been received and is being processed.
Also, the HM Courts & Tribunals Online Service is available for tracking probate applications. If you have access to the Probate and Inheritance Tax Online Service, log in and check the status of the application using the relevant information.
The Probate Registry or the solicitor handling the application may send you correspondence regarding the progress of the probate application. Keep an eye on your mailbox or email for any updates or requests for additional information.
Once your application has been processed and approved, you will get a document that allows you to start dealing with the estate, which could be:
A grant of probate - if the person had a will
Letters of administration with will annexed - if the will doesn’t name an executor or the named executor cannot apply
Letters of administration - if the person did not leave a will
Also, the will and any additions to it (codicils) will be kept by the probate registry and become public record. If you sent the death certificate to them, it will be sent back to you.
How long is probate currently taking [2024]
According to Gov.uk, getting a grant of probate or letters of administration should take up to 16 weeks after submitting a probate application, however it can take longer if you need to give them any additional information; if there isn’t a will; if there are any disputes over the estate; or if the estate size is significant or complex.
As well as this, if you ordered copies of your probate document for use outside of the UK, these will take longer to arrive.
Once you have the grant of probate or letters of administration, you can start dealing with the estate by paying any debts or taxes owed by the person who has died, and distribute the estate as set out in the will or rules of intestacy.
Get probate support with Lawhive
At Lawhive, our wills, trust, and probate solicitors can help you understand probate and support you to apply and track an application right through to completion. Contact us today for a free case assessment to find out more.