Probate Pricing Structure

Probate fees:

Platinum Full Service: Suitable for those who want us to deal with the total administration of the Estate.  You will be charged according to the time spent on your matter.

  • £325,000 – £500,000: £5,500 – £8,500 plus VAT
  • £500,000 – £700,000: £8,500 – £12,000 plus VAT
  • £700,000 – £1,000,000: £12,000 – £18,000 plus VAT
  • £1M – £2M: £18,000 – £30,000 plus VAT
  • £2M + : from £30,000 plus VAT

Gold Estate Service: Suitable where the Estate is either small, or larger, but where there is no Inheritance Tax to pay.  You will be charged according to the time spent on your matter.

  • Up to £325,000: £3,500 – £5,500 plus VAT
  • £325,000 – £500,000: £5,500 – £8,500 plus VAT
  • £500,000 – £1,000,000: £8,500 – £10,000 plus VAT
  • £1M +: from £10,000 plus VAT

Silver: Suitable where you would like assistance and guidance but would prefer to take a more hands on approach.  You will be charged according to the time spent on your matter.

Bronze Service: Suitable where you would like assistance in completing the IHT return and obtaining the Grant of Probate.  Fixed Fee of £4,000 plus VAT.

 

Basis for charges – hourly rate or fixed fees or combination of both
HourlyFixed
£500 + VAT – PartnerN/A
£420 + VAT – Senior Associate SolicitorN/A
£380 + VAT – Associate SolicitorN/A
£350 + VAT – SolicitorN/A
£270 + VAT – Trainee solicitorN/A
£270 + VAT – ParalegalN/A
Description of and cost of likely disbursements or average cost or range of costs
Anticipated DisbursementsVatable/Non Vatable
Probate fee £273 if the value of the Estate is over £5,000 and £1.50 per copyNon-Vatable
Bankruptcy searches – £2 per individual searchNon-Vatable
Statutory notice to creditors – variousVatable

Key stages of the matter and likely timescales for each stage

Descriptive Example

Your matter may be dealt with by a Senior Associate assisted by an Associate solicitor. The hourly rate for a Senior Associate is £420 + VAT and the hourly rate for an Associate solicitor is £380 + VAT.

The range of fees is provided above based on our experience in dealing with these matters.

The exact cost of the service depends on the number of hours it will take, and the level of qualification of fee-earner this depends on the circumstances in your case which include:

  • Whether the individual died testate or intestate
  • The number and value of assets
  • The number of beneficiaries

The work will include:

Pre Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration

  1. Taking your initial instructions
  2. Reviewing documentation to form a view on the assets and liabilities of the estate and to advise on any charge to the estate for Inheritance Tax
  3. Advising you on your duties as executor/administrator
  4. Corresponding with utility companies to register the death and to close the accounts in due course
  5. Corresponding with private pension companies, DWP, banks and other investment companies to register the death and request date of death balances
  6. Completing Inheritance Tax account to be submitted to HM Revenue & Customs
  7. Calculating Inheritance Tax and liaising with you as to how the payment will be made to HM Revenue & Customs
  8. Corresponding with bank/investment providers as to payment of Inheritance Tax and HM Revenue & Customs & to obtain the receipt so that the application for the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration can be made
  9. Preparing the oath for executors/administrators
  10. Arranging for you to sign the Inheritance Tax account and to swear the oath for executors
  11. Lodging the oath for executors/administrators and receipt from HM Revenue and Customs with the Probate registry and obtaining the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration

Post Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration

  1. Liaising with you as to the completion of the account closure forms for the assets within the estate and lodging these with the appropriate asset holders
  2. Paying any outstanding liabilities
  3. Paying legacies under the Will/intestacy (if applicable)
  4. Collecting in tax information to complete final tax return up to the date of death and for the estate administration (if applicable) (tax returns are completed externally)
  5. Instructing accountants to finalise deceased’s tax affairs
  6. Advising you about the steps you can take to protect yourself, as Executor/Administrator, from future liability
  7. Preparing and submitting statutory notices for creditors
  8. Obtaining clearance certificate from HM Revenue & Customs
  9. Producing full estate accounts, for your approval
  10. Contacting the beneficiaries and providing interim and/or final distributions of the estate
  11. Liaising with you throughout

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

Disbursements can include:

  • Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration
  • Statutory notice to creditors
  • Oath fees
  • Bankruptcy searches

The costs quoted here do not include:

  1. Sale of the deceased’s property
  2. Deeds of variation or appropriation
  3. Negations with HM Revenue and Customs about asset valuations or tax
  4. Anything not identified in the scope above

We cannot guarantee how quickly probate will be granted, or how long the administration process will take to complete as it is out of our control, but we will provide regular updates.

We will normally be able to submit the application for the grant of probate/letters of administration within 2-4 months of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this. If the matter is urgent, please also let us know. However, an urgent application may mean that our fees and disbursements are higher.

Please note the range of fees are an estimate based on the facts above. All applications are likely to vary and of course, we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.

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