Grieving families plunged into probate hell by bureaucratic chaos
Peter West (pictured) has been trying to apply for probate for his brother-in-law Graham's affairs since December 2022.
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Peter West (pictured) has been trying to apply for probate for his brother-in-law Graham's affairs since December 2022.
Peter West (pictured) has been trying to apply for probate for his brother-in-law Graham's affairs since December 2022.
Inheritance experts have handed detailed evidence to MPs about errors, inexperienced staff and other problems at the Government's probate service.
House sales are falling though as bereaved families face year-long waits for legal “probate” documents held up in a civil service backlog.
Bereaved people trying to unlock estates are waiting six weeks on average to obtain probate, but using paper forms or making mistakes can mean delays of up to six months.