How long does it usually take to administer an estate?

This is one of the questions most frequently asked by executors and beneficiaries. At McConnan Bion O’Connor & Peterson we assist executors in preparing all the documentation necessary to obtain probate of the estate and thereafter to administer the estate in accordance with the terms of the will. The law requires that beneficiaries be notified in a certain manner, that they consent to certain steps being taken, and that those notifications and consents all be recorded and be in hand at the time application for probate is made. If a beneficiary does not return documents promptly or cannot be immediately located, that can lengthen the amount of time involved. Once an application for probate is made, it generally takes 6 to 8 weeks before the court issues the grant of probate. Once the court issues the grant of probate, estate assets can be liquidated and distributed among beneficiaries.