London Probate Department reviews

I checked on the web that the London office was open and travelled to London to deposit application 24/01/2023 due to Postal delays. When I arrived I was told that the office was no longer in operation and I was given an address in Oxford.
A complete waist of time any money,

I have been trying to call for over 4 weeks and not once has the phone been answered

It’s been six months since I applied and no movement. Haven’t even had a reply in months

I applied for probate last week after waiting weeks for the form in the post. We were meticulously careful to get every detail correct, including the check. The day after they received the form they returned the check with a letter saying …

No one answers the phone. Finally got put through to an answer machine where I requested for someone to return my call….I’m still waiting.
Common decency for any company that provides a service is communication. These …

Spoke to a gentleman called Kevin who was extremely rude and unhelpful. Did not believe my clients middle name and put the phone down on me. …

No communication. Immensely stressful. The lost the original copy of my fathers will and some original witnessed documents.

The telephone customer service is an utter disgrace. I sent my application in August 2018, it is now Jan 2019. The phone is always engaged, or rings then converts to the engaged signal – is someone taking it off the hook? Can there honestly …

This would be zero stars if I had that option. They sent a letter to us stating a question on the form we sent had not been completed and that a question on a different form had not been completed. The form we sent had been fully completed …

Agree with most of the other reviews.
Received an ‘undated letter’ following application for probate and it contained several errors – the main one being naming the applicant as the deceased!!! …

Reading other reviews filled me with concern. BUT I can only say that from start to finish in three weeks. Including posting completed forms and receiving documents back. The visit to the office was a very efficient. Helpful security staff …

Absolutely disgraceful level of service – impossible to get through on the phone. For a civil service dealing with highly emotional and sensitive issues the employees, supervisors and government body that they report to should be …

Terrible service, phones never answered, calls not returned, all on top of losing a close family member. It’s been almost a year since Mum passed and probate is still in limbo. A very poor excuse for a service. I’ve been waiting for 33 …

I sent a will for registration on 7 October. In their gov. website they say that I would receive an email confirming registration. The telephone number of the Probate Department is never answered, I have tried many times. How can the …

I am still waiting for my application to be processed. It has been months. You cant get through on the phone, they take ages if ever to respond to email. Totally unprofessional. To top it all they still have the death certificate which I …

There are like 3 different numbers for this place and not one is ever answered. This is ridiculous. Called the 0300 number and they keep referring me to those numbers and said that they are probably busy. If it’s busy, hire additional staff …

Asked for a letter to be registered wit probate document and copy of court order. Reply received…not can do s insufficient information. Not sure what was insufficient about the information I provided them with. Replied by e mail …

Been trying to gain probate for my Grandad since May 2018 (its now August). There have been complications but i have been patient and gained every piece of information they have requested in a timely manner- problem is each time i call ive …

Probably no-one writes a review on this but….I bizarrely had to go here on a whistle stop tour of London with french friends. I had witnessed a will some years ago which wasn’t dated so I have to have a witness statement certified at the …

Absolutely useless. Very unprofessional, I’ve now swore the oath twice and I apparently according to them haven’t done so. Passed on private Information without my consent and they have shown my application with my private information on to …

Some are very rude, all of them take a long time to do very little. I had to chase repeatedly, waited months for probate to complete. Last visit, I was talking with a solicitor who seemed to have no more fun than me. Part of the problem …

The phone system goes straight to an unknown person’s message inbox. Typical of the hopeless situation regarding all government services these days. And i do mean all govt services

It’s impossible to get through to your office by the telephone. I’ve tried 87 times over the last 2 weeks and literally wasted hours trying to get through. …

They never answer emails. The weeks have dragged by since HMRC sent them the iht421 to “get the grant issued” and they don’t release the grant. They are totally unaccountable for their pathetic service.

If you need to do probate in London this is the only place. 2 star as the NEVER answer the phone or call you back when you pass a message via central court contact number. Overly officious security process where my 3 yr old son was searched …

Why do they even have a phone number? It is constantly engaged. After having spent days completing the requisite forms, in response, I received a copy and paste email asking why my dead father wasn’t making the application. The copying and …

Probate Commissioners Unhelpful, Monosyllabic, Indifferent, Arrogant, Unsympathetic,
Unconcerned that they are dealing with recently bereaved people who are still in …

Decided to make the long trip into London to complete my relative’s probate application. The forms we were sent included a very good map, access times (11-1, 2-4) and security info. We found the office easily, be aware that the security …

After spending a week ringing the 8509 number i read the reviews and took the advice of trying the 8507 number where a lovely lady answered and is going to sort my issue out. Fingers crossed it gets sorted. I suggest you all try the 07 number x

Works fine if you need something ‘standard’ doing e.g. swearing an oath. Not so good if you have problems as no one answers the phone. Visits in person get things done but are more hassle.

Having read the previous reviews I feared the worst when I went, but the building was clean and tidy, I was seen within three minutes, a very courteous gentleman took my oath, and the probate came through well within the promised time. It restored my faith in public service.

Oath sworn, but had a letter from London Probate Dept that they have not received paperwork from HMRC. Phoned HMRC, they answered instantly and could tell me exactly when they emailed a pdf to the probate office and suggested we tell them. …

They don’t answer the phone they don’t answer emails and when you visit their building to speak to them the man at the desk was rude aggressive almost angry at me being there didn’t want to listen to me or understand my query, don’t they …

I tried every office in the country, but only Liverpool you get to speak to a person straight away. Liverpool office is Great, all other offices need to be sorted out as they are not providing a public service as they ought!

I have not visited this office , but I have a mental vision of one person surrounded by mountains of documents and dust. The only sound will be the incessant ringing of the one contact number and perhaps the scratch of a quill pen. The …

I would give them zero stars…but it wont let me….we have been waiting for 5 months now for probate on my late fathers simple estate….and having had the pleasure of paying for this diabolical service makes it even worse….if you are …

Absolutely appauling. One member of staff asked me not to waste his time when i chased up progress. I had to remind him that he is paid for his time unlike me who has to waste my time chasing these incompetant underskilled people.

Excellent service. Everything explained so clearly ,patiently and politely by the gentleman at the enquiry desk. I had been putting off visiting the probate office… But now realize my fears were unfounded.
Thank you and please keep up your good work.

Over 450 call to you guys today between me and my sister and when we got through the lady cut us off. Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!! Disgraceful doesnt begin to describe this.

its horrible place no one ever received call just automatic voice we are busy.its been 2 years my husband died and i applied for probate to receive the amount that will be used for kids education they dont help at all just frustrated and …

Appalling service. They promise to respond within 10 days but I have been waiting 3 months. They simply fob me off with allegations of “it’s in the post”.

It seems that a pre requisite to work within this establishment is not to read, nor understand a very basic a query and pass the buck ! …

Hopeless. Can’t get through to them by phone. Am told to call the probate hotline, who told me to call them in the first place. They are supposed to advise within 7 days of their review, but it’s been over 3 weeks.

I visited twice, once to give in a probate application and once to swear an oath. On both visits, after a short wait in a queue, I was dealt with quickly and professionally.

No stars at all. Have been trying for a week to get through and either engaged or no one picks up. Am actually following up on a probate submission over 2 months ago and have not heard anything. Don’t know how else to contact them!

they’ve been dealing with my probate application for nearly 4 months, impossible to get through on the phone, never reply to emails. I’ve now made a formal complaint.

Do they even pick up the phone? I just need to make a payment and obtain a payment reference number to complete my application form from abroad.

I got there at 3,30pm. I had to sign an affidavit and was in and out in 10 minutes. The staff I met were ultra polite and helpful

I have made to day alone 72 calls to make a payment no answer.

Web site laughable …

Why aren’t they answering their phones? I’ve been calling non-stop for the last 3 hours and all I get the busy tone. …

Never answer phone! either it’s engaged or rings and then goes dead. sometimes it only rings couple of times and then goes dead as if someone is cancelling your call – what’s wrong with this place!

This place is a black hole. I paid the IHT due 15 weeks ago and still no probate letter or any communication from them.

Doesn’t deserve the star! Slow, slow, slow, and no one ever answers the phone which is there as a ‘customer’ wind up! Terrible 1970s style service!!

Right by Chancery Lane tube. On the seventh floor. Staff are very courteous and helpful. Only had a short wait.

Useful to be able to drop in in central London. Helpful staff, but often hidden in back.

They have been very good to me and were; are very civil , helpful and professional.

Easy to get to. Warm helpful staff. Got seen promptly. No waiting around.

WHEN you get a ring tone and not just engaged, it rings a few times and cuts off – like someone hanging up!

Hopeless. No one answers the phone even if you wish to pay probate fees by card.The Probate Form asks for a payment reference.Can do that if no one wants to take your payment.

Where are you and what are you doing?

Never answer the phone, the two times they did in 2 months were either rude or incompetent

Dont reply to emails. Phone is always engaged.I am forced to pay for this.

No one in the office has any idea of what that are doing…why put up opening times and when you call they cut you off

I have been calling this number repeatedly over several weeks and it is always engaged.

Very helpful staff they do so much to help. But they could do with more.

Yes well OK but the extreme security was off putting. I’ve volunteered

Airport type security and after waiting over an hour, we went home.

They don’t even answer the phone.

wrong information given, phones ring out no reply or engaged, no reply to e mails very stressful

A stressful time but service was good.

A very sad place but service was excellent.

Service was good no waiting

Very efficient service

Steve was helpful thanks Steve!

Ok

Professional service, good place.