The Law Society recommends that solicitors charge between 2 and 3% of the deceased’s gross estate when pricing for probate services. The reason being is that the work required in probate activities can be complicated and extensive. Probate matters can take a significant number of hours to complete and require specialist knowledge to conduct correctly.  We understand that this can cause fees to be excessively costly. Therefore, we always try to fix fees for our clients on a case-by-case basis. This is to ensure complete transparency with regards to how much will be paid for our services and to give our clients an idea of the specific service they require and how much that will cost.

 

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Obtaining Grant of Probate / Letters of Administration Only

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• £1950 - £4500 plus VAT

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We fix our fees on a case-by-case basis and all fees are calculated based on the complexity of the matter and the hours of work necessary. We expect the work required to obtain the Grant of Probate to take between 8 and 15 hours. If the hours of work needed exceeds the 15-hour threshold estimate, our fees will increase accordingly.

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Our service will include the following:

• Providing you with a dedicated and experienced private client lawyer who will be your main point of contact.

• Providing specialist advice in relation to your matter.

• Arranging to obtain the deceased’s original will

• Identifying the legally appointed executors or administrators

• Identifying the beneficiaries of the will or those entitled to inherit under the laws of intestacy.

• Accurately identifying the type of Probate application, you will require.

• Contacting the Asset holders and creditors to inform of the deceased’s death

• Writing to Asset Holders and Creditors to obtain probate values of assets and liabilities

• Conducting an Asset and Liability Search on the deceased’s estate (incurs disbursement)

• Arranging insurance for unoccupied property (incurs disbursement)

• Preparing and submitting the relevant Inheritance Tax forms (IHT400 with supporting schedules).

• Preparing application for probate with oath and submitting application for the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration (incurs disbursement)

This work will enable us to obtain the grant of probate on your behalf. It normally takes between 16-20 weeks for the grant to come through from the date it was applied for from the Probate Registry.  However, as we are in the hands of the Probate Registry and HMRC once we have submitted our application, there may be further delays depending on how busy they are.  At this stage, you will then need to advise us whether you want us to collect or distribute the assets. This stage is called the administration of the estate which will begin once the Grant of Probate has been obtained.

 

 

Administration of the Estate

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• £2500 - £11,000 plus VAT

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We fix our fees on a case-by-case basis and all fees are calculated based on the complexity of the matter and the hours of work necessary. We expect the work required to administer the estate to take between 10 and 40 hours. If the hours of work needed exceeds the 40-hour threshold estimate, our fees will increase accordingly.

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Our service will include the following:

• Placing a statutory deceased estates notice in the Gazette and local paper (incurs disbursement)

• Communicating with Creditors and Asset Holders on your behalf for closure balances.

• Gathering in estate assets and paying liabilities pertaining to the deceased.

• Identifying beneficiaries and gathering beneficiary details. Once gathered, conducting the relevant searches and checks.  

• Paying specific bequests according to the terms of the deceased’s will.

• Distributing the residue of the estate in accordance with the terms of the deceased’s will, or where there is no will, in accordance with the rules of intestacy.

• Preparing and submitting estate income tax returns

• Preparing full estate accounts  

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Fees will be at the higher end of the threshold, or may increase above the stated threshold for obtaining the grant and/or administering the estate, if:

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• There is no valid will

• There is more than one property

• There are more than 4 bank accounts

• The deceased owned shares and stocks (not including NS&I holdings)

• There are assets outside the UK

• There are queries from HMRC regarding valuations supplied

• If IHT is payable (will arrange payment of IHT)

• There are disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets

• If the matter engages a Trust. 

• The matter requires a Deed of Variation (additional charge)

• If the estate requires property to be sold. We will put you in contact with our trusted conveyancer who will handle the matter on your behalf. Their fees will be separate from ours.

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Standard Disbursements

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Grant of Probate (Application Fee)

• £300 + (£1.50 per extra copy of the Grant)

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Section 27 Notice - Deceased Estates Notice

• The Gazette - Approximately £87.30 plus VAT 

• Local Paper Notice - Approximately £200 - £300 plus VAT

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Land Registry Fee

• £3 plus VAT per property

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Bankruptcy Search

• £2 plus VAT per beneficiary

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Asset and Liability Search

• £195 plus VAT (Financial Profile Search)

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Timescale

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The amount of time needed to deal with the estate will vary depending on how complex the case is and on how many assets/properties/beneficiaries there are.

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An average estate normally takes between 18 to 55 hours to obtain the grant of probate and to administer the estate. Cases are likely to be concluded between 6-12 months.

We offer a free initial consultation and if we are able to deal with the estate on a fixed fee basis then we will let you know.

 

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Who will carry out the work?

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The work will be completed by Debra Williamson. Debra qualified as a solicitor in 1993 and will be assisted by her team. 

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Debra Williamson, Senior Solicitor and Director’s hourly rate is £330 plus VAT

Jack Callow, Trainee Solicitor’s hourly rate is £170 plus VAT

 

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For estates where we are unable to fix fees

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In some circumstances when we are required to obtain valuations and liaise with 3rd parties directly, then you will be charged on an hourly rate basis from the outset. This will mean that you are instructing us to fully administer the estate.

 

We always offer a free initial Consultation