Probate waiting times improve but 'fundamental issues' remain—ePrivateClient, Legal Futures & Today's Wills and Probate
Partner Suzanne Mynors has been quoted in ePrivateClient, Legal Futures and Today’s Wills and Probate regarding the ongoing backlog of applications plaguing The Probate Service as well as recent data from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) indicating a reduction in waiting times. This follows a year in which the average wait time for a grant peaked at 15.8 weeks. While new data shows significant improvements, Suzanne cautions that the figures may present an overly optimistic picture.
There are fundamental issues with, and ongoing delays in, the probate system which are apparent to anyone working in the sector or who scratches below the surface… There are still cases which have been outstanding for over a year.
It is the complex applications which must still be made on paper and sent in hard copy to the Probate Registry in Newcastle to be processed. They take double, if not triple, the length of time to be issued, in comparison with the digital applications. By their very nature, the complex cases are often more heart breaking as the deceased may have died suddenly, often without a Will, or perhaps there is already turmoil in the family which is compounded by grief, or there are cross border elements, which require a paper application to be made.
The full article from ePrivateClient is available on its website here, by subscription only.
The full article from Legal Futures is available on its website here.
The full article from Today's Wills and Probate is available on its website here.
Suzanne Mynors is a partner in the private client team. She has over 25 years’ experience specialising in wills and succession planning, probate and estate administration, trusts and trust taxation, inheritance tax planning, powers of attorney and mental capacity work.
Get in touch
If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our private client solicitors; Holborn office +44 (0)20 3826 7522; Kingston office +44 (0)20 3826 7529 or Putney office +44 (0)20 3826 7515 or complete our form.
