Probate waiting times improve but 'fundamental issues' remain—ePrivateClient, Legal Futures & Today's Wills and Probate

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.