How Long Probate Really Takes in England, and the Things That Quietly Delay It
Probate itself can be much quicker than the overall administration of an estate. HMCTS management information available in September 2026 shows that, in June 2026, grants averaged 7 weeks from submission across digital and paper applications, while digital applications averaged 5.2 weeks. Digital applications that were not stopped averaged 1.7 weeks. Accredited statistics for January […]
Navigating Probate Registry delays in 2026 and why applications get stopped
Probate processing has improved, but an incomplete or inconsistent application can still add weeks to the timetable. The June 2026 HMCTS update reported by ICAEW put average waiting time at about 4.3 weeks and paper applications at around 16 weeks. Official figures for January to March 2026 also showed that straightforward, unstopped digital probate applications […]
Probate fees increase in July: what executors should prepare before applying
From 13 July 2026, the probate application fee in England and Wales increased from £300 to £526 for estates valued above £5,000. Estates worth £5,000 or less remain exempt. The fee is normally paid when the application is submitted. Executors who pay personally should keep a record so it can be reimbursed from the estate […]
Are HMCTS probate delays finally improving in summer 2026? What families need to know
If you are dealing with a loved one’s estate this summer, here is the practical answer. Probate is far quicker than it was at the worst point of the backlog, but it has not disappeared as a source of delay. The latest Ministry of Justice figures, covering January to March 2026, show that a grant […]