Probate Registry

In reply to Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (24 September 2018). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General): I have been advised of the following

The Probate Registry has reviewed the remaining files for which a grant of probate or administration has not yet issued

In answer to the question 'of the people who are currently waiting what is the longest that anybody has had at this point in time?', the registry can advise:

A grant application lodged in June 1993 for a death occurring in February 1993 has not been granted as a result of the failure of the applicant to answer correspondence from the Registrar of Probates.

A grant application lodged in June 2000 for a death occurring in December 1999 has not been granted as a result of the failure of the applicant to answer correspondence from the Registrar of Probates.

At the present time the Probate Registry is preparing grants to be issued for some 1,400 applications most of which have been received since early September 2018. There is an application received on 11 April 2018 and an application received on 29 June 2018 and several received during August 2018. They are due to be issued by the end of October 2018. They have been delayed by the time taken for the applicant to respond to requisitions.