Vanina Wittenburg examines how the pandemic has affected the probate system and hope for the future in the FTAdviser

Vanina’s article was published in the FT Adviser, 12 April 2022, and can be seen here.

Vanina Wittenburg, Senior Associate in our Private Client department, reflects on the significant challenges faced by those navigating the probate process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The combination of staff redeployments at HMRC due to Brexit, the shift to remote working, and the centralisation of the Probate Service created a “perfect storm” of delays and inefficiencies. Executors dealing with estates over the inheritance tax threshold encountered prolonged waiting times for IHT receipts and grants of representation, exacerbated by HMRC’s reliance on postal communication and the lack of direct contact with case workers.

Although some improvements have been made, such as the ability to share IHT receipts electronically and sign IHT accounts digitally, issues with document handling and communication persist.

Despite these difficulties, there is cautious optimism for the future. The centralised Probate Service, while slower than the former regional registries, has become more streamlined, with most applications now processed online.

If all documents are correctly submitted and no issues arise, grants can be issued within a couple of weeks, a marked improvement from the early pandemic period. However, delays still occur when documents are lost or not properly scanned.

Encouragingly, the probate process is gradually becoming more digital, with email communication now possible in some complex cases. These developments offer hope that the system will continue to evolve, making probate less burdensome for bereaved families and professionals alike.

Read the full article on the FT Adviser website [external link].