Cost of probate delays

sir – Hilary Ives (Letters, March 6) highlights excessive delays in obtaining probate in relatively straightforward cases.

As a solicitor until I retired 15 years ago, I regularly dealt with the Winchester District Registry and could then rely on getting the grant just seven days after applying.

One must bear in mind that executors of larger estates are required to pay inheritance tax prior to applying for the grant and, in many cases, this involves taking out a substantial bank loan. Clearly, lengthy probate delays mean that the interest bill on such loans will be very much higher.

David Bray

Godalming, Surrey

sir – When my mother died in 2008, she had just over £30,000 of investments and the company demanded probate before releasing funds.

It took around 12 weeks to secure, even then. By the time probate was given, the 2008 crash had happened. The £30,000 had become £20,000. As the sum was now below its threshold, the company no longer needed probate.

David Smith

Calverton, Nottinghamshire