How to Avoid Delays in Probate – Advice for Families Requiring Probate Solicitors in Gerrards Cross
- MDW Solicitors
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
When a loved one passes away, the last thing you want is a long and stressful legal process. Yet, many families find themselves stuck in a lengthy probate timeline, often due to avoidable mistakes.
If you're searching for probate solicitors in Gerrards Cross or the nearby areas, understanding what slows the process—and how to prevent it—can save time, stress, and money.
At MDW Solicitors, we support local families with a personal, fixed-fee probate service that simplifies even the most complex estates. In this article, we’ll walk you through what causes probate delays and how you can ensure a smoother experience.
How Probate Delays Impact Families
Probate is the legal process of administering a person’s estate after they’ve passed away. In the UK, the process often takes between 16–20 weeks, but this can stretch much longer without expert help.
Time-sensitive needs: Families often face urgent financial pressures: mortgage payments, care costs, or maintaining a vacant property. Delays in probate mean access to these funds is frozen.
Emotional impact: Bereavement is already emotionally draining. A drawn-out probate process can increase stress, particularly when family members disagree over assets or are left in the dark.
Local context: We regularly work with clients going through probate in Gerrards Cross and the surrounding SL9 areas. Many are managing estates that include property, savings, and investments. Without legal support, they face not just HMCTS backlogs but also confusion over Inheritance Tax (IHT) and executor duties.
How to Avoid Delays in Probate
1. Locate & Review the Will Early
One of the most common delays occurs when the will is missing, ambiguous, or disputed. Ensure the original will is located quickly and that it's legally valid.
At MDW Solicitors, we help families identify and validate wills promptly, preventing early holdups in the process.
2. Get Accurate Valuations from the Outset
Accurate estate valuations are essential for submitting inheritance tax forms. Under- or over-valuing assets such as property or investments can trigger inquiries from HMRC, delaying the Grant of Probate.
We work with trusted local valuers and can assist with estate inventories and appraisals to meet HMRC standards.
3. File Inheritance Tax Forms Correctly
Form IHT400 and its schedules are notoriously complex. Errors here are a leading cause of probate delays.
Our team ensures these are completed thoroughly and filed on time, helping you avoid penalties and further complications.
4. Understand Who Needs to Be Notified
Executors are legally required to notify beneficiaries, banks, pension providers, utility companies, and creditors. Missing a key party can lead to unexpected claims that halt probate mid-process.
We use a structured notification checklist, developed through years of experience handling estates across South Buckinghamshire.
5. Work with a Fixed-Fee Probate Solicitor
DIY probate might seem cost-effective, but errors or missed steps can lead to severe delays and personal liability for executors. Working with a fixed-fee solicitor gives you clarity, protection, and peace of mind.
How MDW Solicitors Helps Families
We understand that probate is not just about legal documents; it’s about people, relationships, and peace of mind. Based in Chalfont Park, just minutes from Gerrards Cross, we offer probate support tailored to your needs.
Fixed-Fee Probate Packages – Know your costs upfront
STEP-Qualified Legal Support – Debra Williamson personally manages each case
Home Visits Available – Ideal for elderly or bereaved clients
Full Estate Administration – From tax forms to property transfers
Whether your loved one’s estate is straightforward or complex, we’re here to guide you every step of the way—with compassion, clarity, and confidence.
Don’t let delays create further distress. Let us help you get probate sorted efficiently.
Comments