Probate Processing Times Are Mysteriously Stretching—UK Sees a 152% Jump Since 2023
Final Duties, the UK’s veteran probate broker, has pulled the latest government data for us. The findings show that the average (median) time from filing a probate application to getting the coveted grant is now a full 12 weeks—a record that’s longer than the last five year‑end holidays combined.
What the Numbers Really Mean
- Median time in Q3 2023: 12 weeks
- That’s a 6.4% rise from Q2 2023 and a jaw‑dropping 136% jump from Q1 2023
- All in all, the waiting period is now 152% longer than at the start of 2023
- Longest since 2019—looks like we’re back in the time‑warp era!
Why the Long Waits Are Happening
Probate is already a maze, but a few snags appear to be adding extra twists:
- Communication stops – Clunky hand‑offs between clients, probate pros, and the government.
- Staff shortages – HMCTS (His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service) is under‑staffed and over‑worked.
- Higher demand – Applications rose by 5 % in 2023 versus 2022, and have been climbing 3 % per year since 2020.
- Busy first‑quarter surge – The first three months of each year are always a rush, piling on the workload for spring.
MPs Step In
The journey is slow enough that MPs have promised a deep‑dive into the whole process. Henry Gill (Managing Director at Final Duties) summed up the sentiment:
“Delays are inevitable in a tortuous system, but a lack of staff and break‑downs in communication seem to be the main culprits. MPs have pledged to look at the probate process, though likely with the same patience that probate itself demands.”
How to Avoid the Gray‑Ghost Drag
While the bureaucracy won’t vanish overnight, a seasoned probate pro can help you sidestep pitfalls that would otherwise add weeks (or even months) to the wait. Think of it like hiring a tour guide for a trip that’s “you could walk the whole expressway by yourself.”
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