Private client fees

We understand how difficult it is coping not only with the death of a person but also with the added pressure of the legal side in dealing with the estate.  By having the benefit of experienced legal advice we can make this difficult situation much easier for you.

On occasions people do not leave a Will or their Will is invalid, so an Administrator will need to be appointed.  Where a Will is in existence the Executors will need to apply for the grant of probate which will give them the legal right to administer the estate; however it can be overwhelming and confusing if there are substantial assets involved.

Pricing

The fees involved in a probate matter can vary and this will depend on the individual circumstances involved.

We will give you a fees estimate – which is a range of costs that we believe we could incur when dealing with the grant only and with the grant and estate depending on your instructions.

Our range of fees will depend for example, on the number of beneficiaries and bank accounts, and whether the estate includes any property and probate fees will increase the larger the estate.  We will never charge you a fixed percentage of the estate.

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets

We anticipate this will take anywhere between 20 and 40 hours work. Total costs estimated at (+VAT) but may be less depending upon the seniority of the person dealing with your matter.

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.

We will handle the full process for you. This includes but is not limited to matters listed below:

  • Providing initial advice
  • Gathering the necessary evidence needed for the Probate application
  • Applying for the Grant of Representation
  • Collecting in the estate assets
  • Paying tax, liabilities and legacies
  • Dealing with HMRC negotiations
  • Preparation of full estate accounts and tax returns
  • Distributing the residue of the estate to the entitled beneficiaries
  • Our fees for this will vary depending upon the terms of the Will (or if the deceased died intestate), the size and complexity of the estate and the type of assets involved

This quote is for estates where:

  • There is a valid will
  • There is no more than one property
  • There are no more than 10 beneficiaries
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
  • There are no claims made against the estate
  • There are no assets outside the UK

Disbursements included in this fee:

  • Probate application fee of £155
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
  • £68.50 plus VAT- Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
  • Approximately £50 – £100 plus VAT – Post in a Local Newspaper – This 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

  • 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 £10 per copy after the grant has been issued or per asset or 50p per copy if requested at the same time as the application for grant.
  • Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
  • In relation to Inheritance Tax,  we would advise you to look on the to calculate Inheritance Tax which may be due, the calculators can be found here.

Additional services that will require the assistance of a third party at additional cost include:

  • Tax advice
  • Valuations for property, savings, investments or other assets

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 4-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 3-6 months. Collecting assets then follows, and once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 4-12 months.

However should you wish for us to undertake applying for a Grant of Probate only we anticipate this will take between 20 and 30 hours work. Total costs estimated at £3000 – £5000 + VAT.  As part of our fee we will:

  • Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
  • Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
  • Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
  • Draft a legal oath for you to swear
  • Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
  • Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you