Probate Pricing

We can assist with any aspect of the Probate process for estates of any size complexity and value. We have special expertise in dealing with high value complex estates that include trusts, businesses and agricultural assets. Having a large team, we also have the capacity to quickly and empathetically deal with simple estates and help you and your family move forward at this already difficult time. 

The price guides provide fee estimates for the full administration of simple non-taxable estates that do not require the submission of a full HMRC account and a fixed fee for just obtaining probate for you for such estates.

We provide fee estimates for more complex estates on request. In all cases we offer a free no obligation consultation (face to face, by phone or via email – whichever is best for you) to discuss how we can help. We will then advise you of our likely fees and how these would be calculated. In some cases we can also agree a fixed fee service. 

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets – simple non-taxable estates

We anticipate this will take between 10 and 15 hours work at £225 per hour. Total costs estimated at £2,250 to £3,750 (plus VAT).

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

As part of the estimate we will handle the full administration process for you which includes.

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter.
• Meeting with you to provide guidance and help and to explain the process to you.
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries.
• Obtain valuations of the assets and liabilities that form part of the estate.
• Place statutory notices in the London Gazette and Local Paper.
• Notify beneficiaries of their entitlement and discharge your duty to comply with GDPR in relation to personal data you hold and process on their behalf
• Seek confirmation from HMRC that the deceased’s tax affairs are up-to-date
• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the Probate application.
• Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms.
• Meeting with you to take you through the paperwork and answer any queries that you may have.
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf.
• Obtain the Probate and requisite office copies.
• Prepare closure forms and authorities and collect all assets in the estate.
• Discharge the liabilities (if any) of the estate.
• Undertake bankruptcy searches of all beneficiaries to protect you.
• Pay legacies and deal with specific bequests.
• Prepare final accounts for your approval.
• Discharge the estate’s income tax and capital gains tax liabilities (if any) under the voluntary disclosure process.
• Distributing the estate in accordance with the final accounts.
• Where required, providing the beneficiaries with tax certificates showing any income they have earned on their share of the estate during the administration process.

This estimate applies for estates where:

• There is a valid, professionally prepared Will appointing no more than 4 executors.
• All named executors (who are alive) will be taking the Grant or at least one is taking the Grant with the others acting under power reserved.
• There is no more than one property.
• Bank or building society accounts are held with no more than 5 different banks or building societies.
• There are no other intangible assets.
• There are 2-4 beneficiaries plus up to 5 legatees and no trusts arise under the Will.
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs.
• The estate need not be registered with HMRC for income or capital gains tax reporting and the voluntary reporting procedure is available.
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC.
• There are no claims made against the estate.
• The deceased was not a US citizen and the deceased owned no property abroad when he / she died.

We expect to incur the following Disbursements:

• Probate application fee of £273
• ID Fees of £6 plus VAT per executor
• £3.00 plus VAT for obtaining office copies of the Land Registry title to the property
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 plus VAT per beneficiary / legatee)
• £129.70 Posts in The London Gazette and Local Newspaper – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditor and also helps to protect against unexpected claims.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Potential additional costs

• The Original Will is missing or there are other issues with the Original Will – e.g. it contains alterations, has not been professionally prepared or the like.
• Certainty Search or Asset Search if there is a need to check for a later Will or missing assets.
• Executors wish to renounce or the Executor/s wish to appoint others to act for them under a Power of Attorney.
• Dealing with enquiries from the Probate Court in relation to the Will.
• If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
• If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 per copy.
• Depending on circumstances we may also recommend valuations of property or contents. We would advise you of the likely costs before such would be incurred.
• Submitting and preparing income tax returns for the deceased for the year to the date of death and any earlier years.
• Advising beneficiaries on their own tax position.
• Dealing with DWP enquiries.
• Dealing with the property including, payment of utilities, making the property secure and continued inspections, water drainage, insurance, clearance, marketing and sale and transfer of the same.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 2-5 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 8-12 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 3-6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-4 weeks. This time estimate does not include dealing with any property i.e. transfer or sale of the same.

Probate only (non-taxable estates)

We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf.

How much does this service cost?

Total: fixed fee of £1140 (inc VAT) plus Disbursements as listed below.

This includes: obtaining the grant based on valuations of assets and liabilities provided by you. We can also provide a quote for collecting in the assets and distributing these for you. The costs will depend on the assets that are in the estate and the number of beneficiaries.

Breakdown of costs:

Legal fees £950 (plus VAT)

Disbursements:

• Probate court fee £276 (to include 2 office copies).

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

As part of our fixed fee we will

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter.
• Meeting with you to provide guidance and help and to explain the process to you.
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries.
• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the Probate application.
• Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms.
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf.
• Send you 2 office copies of the probate and store the original in our strongroom free of charge.

This estimate applies for estates where:

• There is a valid, professionally prepared Will appointing no more than 4 executors.
• All named executors (who are alive) will be taking the Grant or at least one is taking the Grant with the others acting under power reserved.
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs.
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC.
• There are no claims made against the estate

How long will this process take?

On average obtaining Probate for you for estates that fall into this range will take 8-16 weeks.