Why does probate take so long? Share your experiences with the investigative committee!
The Ministry of Justice, the Government department which oversees the Probate Registry, has begun an investigation into the ongoing issues that citizens and practitioners have been seeing with the probate process since February 2020. As part of this initiative, the committee has invited both clients and professionals to share their experiences, shedding light on potential issues within the system.
What are they looking for?
The Ministry of Justice Committee's investigation focuses on various aspects of the Probate Registry, including but not limited to:
-
Efficiency and Timeliness - examining the efficiency of the Probate Registry in processing applications and addressing concerns about delays in the probate process.
-
Costs and Fees - reviewing the costs associated with obtaining probate and assessing whether these fees are reasonable and proportionate to the services provided.
-
Customer Service - scrutinizing the quality of customer service provided by the Probate Registry, including responsiveness to queries and the overall client experience.
What can you do?
One unique aspect of this investigation is the Ministry of Justice Committee's call for the public to share their experiences with the Probate Registry. This inclusive approach aims to gather first hand accounts, providing a comprehensive view of the challenges and successes encountered by individuals navigating the probate process.
Individuals are encouraged to share their experiences of:
- The ease of submitting applications.
- Any difficulties faced during the process.
- Feedback on communication and support received.
The committee believes that by incorporating client perspectives, it can better understand the real-world impact of the Probate Registry's operations and identify areas for improvement.
You can submit your experiences on the Parliament website here: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8035/probate/
(The deadline for submissions is Monday 22nd January 2024)
What happens next?
Following the collection of client experiences, the Ministry of Justice Committee will analyse the data and consider recommendations for improving the Probate Registry's functionality. We at Lawson West hope that this will lead to increased customer service and decreased waiting times!
How can I get probate more quickly?
Sometimes there are exceptional circumstances which mean you can request that your application for probate is expedited. If you need help with applying for probate or administering the estate of a deceased loved one, please contact our Probate, Wills and Trusts team on 0116 212 1000
View all
