The time taken to validate a person’s will through probate has improved significantly over the last year.

The latest figures on probate applications from HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) show the process took an average of 9.3 weeks to process in July 2024, compared to 14 weeks in the same month last year.

There were 32,002 applications processed, compared to 22,922 applications processed in the same month last year.

Probate is the legal process that validates a deceased person’s will, ensuring their assets are distributed according to their wishes.

It involves proving the will’s authenticity in court, valuing the estate, and paying any taxes or debts before passing the remaining assets to beneficiaries.

Executors, the individuals responsible for administering the estate, are at the heart of this process. Executors often face complex tasks like navigating legal procedures, managing disputes, and dealing with tax liabilities.

This makes obtaining sound legal advice crucial to avoid mistakes that could lead to delays or disputes. Specialist solicitors help streamline the process, ensuring compliance with probate law, reducing stress, and preventing costly errors.

While delays in probate are currently being addressed in the UK, having professional guidance can help executors get through the process as quickly as possible, safeguarding the estate’s value and fulfilling the deceased’s final wishes efficiently.

A spokesperson for the Law Society said: “The decrease in probate delays is promising, but more should be done. Delays to the probate service can be devastating for families and loved ones during their time of grief.”

Please contact us if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of wills and probate.