The minimum amount of time usually required to complete the second stage of the estate administration is 6 months. This is because anyone who wishes to make a claim on the estate can do so in the 6 months following the grant. However, in some circumstances the estate may be ready to be finalised before the end of the year, and the Executors can make a decision about distribution at that time. A very complex administration can take a number of years. It should also be noted that HMRC challenges may delay the process and we do not have any control over this.