England - probate issues and delays

hi everyone.

my dad passed away in October last year. his will listed a solicitor as executor of his will. at the end of October I met with a member of staff who took all the details to start probate and I was told it would take up to three months.

In January I called back and a different law firm answered, turns out the previous solicitor firm stopped trading and had been bought out at the beginning of January. the new firm didn't have a probate solicitor at the time and had to wait to get one in place.

it's been a trouble to get through to anyone or get a call returned. on Friday I finally got through to someone who told me he would look at my dad's file and call me back on Monday, didn't get a call.

today I've found out that the application for probate was only sent yesterday and could take up to 8 weeks. I'm stressed out, council tax exemption is going to run out soon and bills have started coming for my dad's property that I can't afford. I've been told by British gas to not stress and pay them when possible or when probate is sorted.

I don't even know if I have any options here or if I'm just ranting into the void, but any advice would be welcome even if it is just to wait.

thanks.