When someone dies, families often want to know how long it will be before the estate can be dealt with and inheritances can be distributed.

Unfortunately, there is no single timetable that applies to every estate.

Probate itself is only one part of estate administration.

Before an application can be made, the people dealing with the estate may need to identify the deceased's assets and debts, value the estate, establish whether Inheritance Tax is due and gather the information needed for the application.

How long does the probate application take?

Current GOV.UK guidance says that a grant of probate or letters of administration will usually be issued within 12 weeks of submitting the application.

It can take longer where additional information is required.

That 12-week period should not be confused with the total time needed to administer an estate.

Work often has to take place before the probate application is submitted and, once the grant has been obtained, there may still be assets to collect or sell, debts and taxes to settle and beneficiaries to pay.

What can delay probate and estate administration?

A relatively straightforward estate can be easier to progress than one involving numerous assets or unresolved questions.

Delays can arise where information about bank accounts, investments or property is difficult to obtain, where estate values need further work, or where the Probate Service asks for additional information.

The wider administration can also take longer if property needs to be sold, tax matters need to be resolved, beneficiaries are difficult to locate or there is disagreement about the estate.

Do you always need probate?

Not necessarily. Whether a grant is required depends on the assets in the estate and how they were owned.

Some organisations may release assets without a grant, while others will require one before an executor or administrator can deal with them.

Where a grant is required, the document will normally be a grant of probate if there is a Will and an executor is applying.

Different forms of letters of administration can apply where there is no Will or where an executor cannot apply.

What happens after probate is granted?

Receiving the grant is an important milestone, but it does not mean the estate is finished.

The personal representatives may then need to collect or transfer assets, sell property or investments, pay outstanding debts, deal with tax and ultimately distribute the estate to the beneficiaries.

Personal representatives are legally responsible for the estate's assets during the administration period, so it is important that distributions are not rushed before the estate's liabilities and beneficiaries have been properly established.

Probate support in Twickenham

Richmond Wills & Probate assists individuals and families across Twickenham, Teddington, Richmond and South West London with probate and estate administration.

If you are dealing with an estate and are unsure what needs to happen next, professional support can help you understand the process, organise the information required and work through the administration in the correct order.

Every estate is different, so the most useful starting point is to establish what the estate contains, whether a grant is likely to be required and what needs to happen before an application can be made.

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This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Individual circumstances can differ and professional advice should be sought where appropriate.