Charities denied £185m in donations due to chaos in the probate system

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Charities denied £185m in donations due to continuing chaos in the probate system

By Fiona Parker For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Probate delays: Some of the country’s largest charities have had to make cutbacks after money donated in wills was held up in a logjam

Charities have been denied donations worth £185 million due to chaos in the probate system.

Some of the country’s largest charities have had to make cutbacks after money donated in wills was held up in a logjam.

The delays have left many families waiting more than 14 weeks to administer probate and distribute their estate. It should usually take no more than a month.

The problem was triggered by a new IT system in March and a flood of applications ahead of plans to hike the cost of probate to up to £6,000 on some estates.

The increase has now been ditched by the Government, and the current charges remain in place. Applying for probate costs a flat fee of £215, or £155 if a lawyer does it on your behalf.

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