Probate waiting times halved thanks to Government push
Probate waiting times have been halved thanks to a Government push to digitise the process and reduce the backlog.
The average time it takes to obtain probate has fallen from 20 weeks in April 2022 to 10 weeks in January 2023, according to figures from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
The improvement has been attributed to a number of factors, including:
- The introduction of a new online probate service, which has made it easier for people to apply for probate
- The recruitment of additional staff to process probate applications
- The digitisation of probate records, which has made it quicker and easier to find and process applications
Justice Minister Mike Freer said:
“I am pleased to see that probate waiting times have been halved thanks to the Government’s push to digitise the process and reduce the backlog.
“This is a significant improvement which will make a real difference to people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
“I would like to thank HMCTS staff for their hard work in making this happen.”
The improvement in probate waiting times is a welcome development. It will make it easier for people to settle the affairs of their loved ones and will help to reduce the stress and anxiety that can be associated with the probate process.
Additional information
The probate process is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person. It involves identifying and valuing the deceased person’s assets and liabilities, paying off any debts, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries of the will.
Probate can be a complex and time-consuming process. The average cost of probate in the UK is around £1,500.
The Government has taken a number of steps to digitise the probate process and reduce the backlog. These steps include:
- The introduction of a new online probate service, which has made it easier for people to apply for probate
- The recruitment of additional staff to process probate applications
- The digitisation of probate records, which has made it quicker and easier to find and process applications
The Government’s push to digitise the probate process and reduce the backlog is a welcome development. It will make it easier for people to settle the affairs of their loved ones and will help to reduce the stress and anxiety that can be associated with the probate process.
Probate waiting times halved thanks to Government push
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