Probate Fees
Dealing with the whole estate:
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets costs
We anticipate this will take between 8 and 12 hours of work at £280 + VAT per hour. Total costs estimated for a small estate at £2240 + 20% VAT – £3360 + 20% VAT and for a large estate up to £5,000 + 20% 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.
We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:
- There is a valid will
- There is no more than 4 bank or building society accounts
- There is no more than one property
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are 2 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 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
Disbursements – these are not included in the above fee
- Probate application fee of £273 + £1.50 per office copy of Grant of Probate
- Bankruptcy – only land charges department searches – £2 per beneficiary
- £69.50 + 20% VAT Post in the London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors
- £88.67 + 20% VAT Post in a local newspaper- This also helps to protect against unexpected claims
- Travel is charged at 60p per mile (plus 20% VAT)
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.
Services and Key Stages included in our fees:
- 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 information required to make the application
- Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
- Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
- Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you
- Collect and distribute all assets in the estate
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 £1.50
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
Not included in the fee
We will not usually advise you in connection with the following (and our costs estimates above assumes we are not giving you advice in relation to these matters)
- Trusts arising from the estate
- Any court work e.g. taking enforcements/tracing assets proceedings
- Trusts of which the deceased was a beneficiary
- Pensions, life policies or similar paying benefits that do not pay to the estate
- Assets held outside England and Wales
- Disputed or contested Wills/claims
- Care fees paid during the lifetime of the deceased
If you would like us to assist with any of the above, these areas would be charged on a time spent basis at £280 + VAT per hour. Please contact us and we will be able to provide you with a cost estimate.
Time scale
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6-8 months. Typically, obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 12-18 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 6 – 8 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 7 – 9 weeks.
To see our list of fee earners that can assist you in a probate matter, please click here.