Probate + Estates – Costs

Welcome to our Probate + Estates Costs page, where we aim to give you as much information and guidance as possible on the likely costs to be incurred when we are instructed by you to deal with the administration of a deceased’s estate. As you will see below, we give information on our two fixed fee schemes.

Additionally, we also provide information on our costs in administering both a small/medium estate, as well as a large estate. You will also see that we give a brief description of the work that we shall be carrying out on your behalf.

All of the information below is for guidance purposes only and we will provide you with a detailed quote once we have been formally instructed by you.

Please note that none of the information regarding Probate + Estate costs on this page is applicable for Contested Estates

All of our fees (including fixed fees, as well as hourly rates) are subject to review on the 1^st April each year.

Our Probate + Estates Team 

The profiles of all our Probate + Estates team are available on the Our People page. Click below to meet individual members of the team:

• George Persson TEP
• Laura Ablett
• Mike Gane
• Gemma Norris

Probate + Estates Costs: Our Two Fixed Fee Schemes

Administering an estate, Applying for Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration (Grant of Representation) only where the shorter form Inheritance Tax Account (IHT205) is applicable.

This first of our fixed fees scheme applies for applications whether there is a Will (often referred to as Probate) or where there is no Will (referred to as Intestacy).

At the outset of the case you will meet up with one of our dedicated and experienced estate administration practitioners. We will then proceed to carry out the following for the fixed fee:

• Identify the correct persons to be legally appointed to administer the estate
• Accurately identify the type of application required to obtain the Grant of Representation from the Probate Registry (either Grant of Probate (Will) or Letters of Administration (no Will).
• Compile a schedule accurately identifying the Asset and Liability values at death and other relevant information to complete the Estate Information Form.
• Draft the Statement of Truth for the person(s) who are to be appointed to administer the estate to sign.
• Submit the application papers to the Probate Registry.
• On receipt of the Grant of Representation, checking that it is correct and providing the sealed copies to the personal representatives to continue the administration.
• Computing Nil Rate Band Allowances where necessary and making claims for relief from tax if required.

The agreed fixed fees for the above will be as follows:

Legal Fees (our costs)

• £1500-£2000 plus VAT*

Disbursements

• Probate Court Fee £300 plus £1.50 per sealed copy (one sealed copy required per asset) (no VAT)
• Section 27 Trustee Act Advert, approximately £180 plus VAT*
• Estate Search Financial Asset Search, approximately £165 plus VAT*
• Will Search, £95 plus VAT*

*The current rate of VAT applied to the above costs is 20%.

In terms of timeframes, we would usually anticipate that the Grant of Probate application would be submitted within three months of receiving instructions on a straightforward estate.  Actual receipt of the Grant of Probate from the Probate Registry is dependent upon the timeframes set by the Probate Registry itself.

Applying for Probate, Administering an Estate, Applying for Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration (Grant of Representation) only where the longer form of Inheritance Tax Account is required (IHT400)

For this, our second fixed fee scheme applies where we shall carry out all of the work as outlined as above, with the addition of the following:

• Computing Nil Rate Band Allowances where necessary and providing Inheritance Tax information including any payment of tax if required due upon application for Grant of representation.
• Liaising with HMRC Inheritance Tax regarding submission queries.

Please note that as with our other fixed fee scheme, this applies in cases where there is a Will or indeed where there is no Will. The agreed fixed fees for this particular application will be as follows:

Legal Fees (our costs)

• £2000-£2500 plus VAT*

Disbursements

• Probate Court Fee £273 plus £1.50 per sealed copy (one sealed copy required per asset) (no VAT)
• Section 27 Trustee Act Advert, approximately £180 plus VAT*
• Landmark Financial Asset Search, approximately £155 plus VAT*
• Will Search, £95 plus VAT*

*The current rate of VAT applied to the above costs is 20%.

In terms of timeframes, we would usually anticipate that the Grant of Probate application would be submitted within five to six months of receiving instructions, depending upon the complexities of the estate.  Actual receipt of the Grant of Probate from the Probate Registry is dependent upon the timeframes set by the Probate Registry itself.

Probate + Estates Costs: Our Full Administration Estate Service

In the case of a full administration estate service our probate + estates costs are calculated by an hourly charge out rate of between £265 – £275 plus VAT for an experienced Solicitor or £250 plus VAT for an experienced Executive. As set out above, the hourly rates are reviewed on annual basis. All the members of our Probate Team are long-standing Practitioners who have a wealth of expertise and experience in dealing with the varying complexities of estate administration.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the case concerned.

However, as a rough guide, the information for the two categories below may assist:

Small and Medium Estates

(Chargeable time required to complete up to 50 hours, approximately £13,250 plus VAT at current rate of 20%)  

We would expect to have to carry out the following work, once you have met with one of our dedicated and experienced Estate Administration practitioners:

• Identify the correct persons to be legally appointed to administer the estate.
• Accurately identify the type of application required to obtain the Grant of representation from the Probate Registry.
• Compile a schedule accurately identifying the Asset and Liability values at death and other relevant information to complete the Estate Information Form or HM Revenue & Customs Account IHT400.
• Review any means tested benefits and Income Tax position for period to date of death.
• Advise and submit if required Will and Financial Asset Searches and Legal Notices.
• Arranging valuations for UK assets i.e. Property, Personal Possessions and Stocks and Shares.
• Contact 3rd parties i.e. Utility and  Insurance for household and/or Motor vehicle , Care Home, Credit Cards etc.
• Draft the Statement of Truth for the person(s) who are to be appointed to administer the estate to sign.
• Submit the application papers to the Probate Registry.
• Preparation of forms for closure/sale/transfer of assets and consideration of any Inheritance Tax Capital Gains and Income Tax issues arising during the course of the administration.
• Contact beneficiaries under the Will or intestacy and obtain ID.
• On receipt of the Grant check it is correct and provide the sealed copies to Asset providers to realise assets.
• Attend to payment of debts as they arise and conclude tax issues during the administration period.
• Prepare full set of Estate Accounts and attend to distribution of residuary estate and provide Income Tax Certificates for residuary beneficiaries.

In terms of timeframes, we would usually anticipate that the Grant of Probate application would be submitted within three months of receiving instructions on a straightforward estate.  Actual receipt of the Grant of Probate from the Probate Registry is dependent upon the timeframes set by the Probate Registry itself.

The estate administration, once the Grant of Probate is received, would usually be finalised within four to six months.  This is dependent upon correspondence with HMRC, Inheritance Tax and other official bodies, such as HMRC, Income Tax, Department for Work and Pensions.

Large Estates

(Chargeable time required to complete 50-100 hours, being from approximately £13,250 – £26,500 plus VAT at current rate of 20%)

Following the initial meeting with one of our dedicated and experienced Estate Administration practitioners, we will carry out the following work:

• Identify the correct persons to be legally appointed to administer the estate.
• Accurately identify the type of application required to obtain the Grant of representation from the Probate Registry.
• Compile a schedule accurately identifying the Asset and Liability values at death and other relevant information to complete the Estate Information Form or HM Revenue & Customs Account IHT400. Preparation of Documentation to support Inheritance Relief claims eg Agricultural Property and Business Property Relief, Lifetime Gifting.
• Review and preparation of Income Tax position for multiple tax years prior to date of death.
• Advise and submit if required Will and Financial Asset Searches and Legal Notices.
• Arranging valuations for UK assets i.e. Property, Personal Possessions and Stocks and Shares.
• Undertaking asset administration in non-UK jurisdictions e.g.: Isle of Man, Jersey and obtaining Grants in those jurisdictions.
• Contact 3rd parties i.e. Utility and Insurance for household  for multiple properties and possibly land and/or Motor vehicle(s), Care Home, Credit Cards  etc.
• Draft the Statement of Truth for the person(s) who are to be appointed to administer the estate to sign.
• Submit the application papers to the Probate Registry.
• Preparation of forms for closure/sale/transfer of assets and consideration of any Inheritance Tax Capital Gains and Income Tax issues arising during the course of the administration for both UK and Non UK assets.
• Contact beneficiaries under the Will or intestacy and obtain ID.
• On receipt of the Grant check it is correct and provide the sealed copies to Asset providers to realise assets.
• Attend to payment of debts as they arise and conclude tax issues during the administration period.
• Prepare full set of Estate Accounts and attend to distribution of residuary estate and provide Income Tax Certificates for residuary beneficiaries.

In terms of timeframes, we would usually anticipate that the Grant of Probate application would be submitted within five to six months of receiving instructions, depending upon the complexities of the estate.  Actual receipt of the Grant of Probate from the Probate Registry is dependent upon the timeframes set by the Probate Registry itself.

The estate administration, once the Grant of Probate is received, would usually be finalised within six to eight months.  This is dependent upon correspondence with HMRC, Inheritance Tax and other official bodies, such as HMRC, Income Tax, Department for Work and Pensions.

Where we are required to verify your identity via AML/Thirdfort, a £25 + VAT fee will be applicable.

Further Information

You may also be interested in Making Your Will and Probate + Estates.