Probate, the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, generally takes between 6 to 12 months to complete in the UK. The timeline can vary depending on factors such as the complexity and size of the estate, whether there is property to sell, if the will is contested, and the efficiency of the executor or administrator

. Typical timeframes in the probate process:

• Applying for a grant of probate: Usually takes about 4 to 12 weeks from submitting the application to receiving the grant, though it can be longer if additional information is required or if there are delays due to complexity or backlogs

• After grant of probate: Once granted, it typically takes another 6 weeks to several months to distribute the estate to beneficiaries, depending on the estate's complexity

• Overall duration: Simple estates may complete probate in around 6 to 9 months, but more complex estates can take 1 to 2 years or longer, especially if there are disputes or difficulties in gathering information

Additional considerations:

• If there is no will, the process involves applying for a grant of letters of administration, which can be slightly different but not necessarily longer

• Delays can occur due to the need to pay inheritance tax before probate is granted, locating all assets, valuing property, or resolving disputes among beneficiaries

• Online applications and accurate, complete submissions can speed up the process, sometimes reducing grant issuance to less than a week in ideal cases

In summary, probate usually takes about 6 to 12 months from death to estate distribution, but this can extend to 1-2 years or more depending on estate complexity and any complications.