Probate Pricing

How much does this service cost?

This depends on the number of assets and liabilities in the estate, the number of beneficiaries and the complexity of the Will. We will undertake the work on a bespoke fixed fee basis that will be calculated by reference to the complexity of the individual estate.

We do not calculate our fees as a percentage of the estate and will always charge a fair fee that is reflective of the work necessary to complete the matter efficiently, ensuring you comply with your duties as an executor.

Our charges are not affected by whether we are acting as professional executors or administering an estate on behalf of a lay executor.

On average, it is not unusual for our fee to equate to between 1% and 3% of the gross value of the estate, with a minimum fee of £1500 plus VAT for the simplest estate. Confirmation of the fixed fee will be provided once we have met with you to discuss your requirements and what is involved in administering the estate. Understandably the more elements of an estate there are to deal with, the higher the charge.

The fixed fee includes: obtaining the grant, collecting assets and distributing them.

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.

For example, our fixed fee would be £3700 plus VAT of £740 for an estate where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are 2 beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on the 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

There will also be the following disbursements:

Disbursements:

• Probate court fee of £300.
• £1.50 per sealed copy of the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration – one per asset required
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 plus VAT per beneficiary).
• £200 plus VAT (estimate) Statutory notices in The London Gazette and a Local Newspaper – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.

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.

As part of our fixed fee we will:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate practitioner 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
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Obtain the Probate
• Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

We aim to obtain the grant of probate within six to nine months of being instructed.  Business on receipt of the grant usually takes between three and six months.  Winding up an Estate usually takes approximately three months.  These time guidelines are approximate and each estate can vary depending on the assets and matters involved and information provided to us.

Where you do not require us to deal with the full administration of the estate our costs are as follows:-

For obtaining Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration only – executors/administrators will then administer the estate themselves:-

• Where the Estate is not subject to inheritance tax £950 plus VAT
• Where the Estate is subject to inheritance tax or a full Inheritance Tax account must be completed for HM Revenue & Customs £1700 plus VAT
• Where the Estate is subject to inheritance tax or a full Inheritance Tax account must be completed for HM Revenue & Customs and a claim is to be made in respect of the Residence Nil Rate Band £1900 plus VAT
• Assent of property – once Probate is granted and the house is to be transferred to the beneficiary £450 – £750 plus VAT and Land Registry fee. Where the property has not previously been registered at the Land Registry and first registration is required, this would be passed to our Property Team to deal with.

Who will deal with your case:

Hannah Pearson – Probate Solicitor

Your matter will be dealt with by Hannah Pearson who has over 17 years’ experience in private client work, specialising in wills and probate. Hannah has been working in this area since she qualified and has helped thousands of families and individuals.

Hannah qualified as a solicitor in 2004 having studied law at the University of Sheffield followed by completion of the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Chester where she gained a distinction. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners who specialise in trusts and the administration of estates.

Joanne Jones – Wills, Trust and Probate Solicitor

Joanne Jones who has over 16 years’ experience in Wills, Trust and Probate and will support you with your probate matter. Joanne qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and is a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly.

Catherine Gallagher – Probate Paralegal

Catherine will assist Hannah and has worked in the Wills, Trusts and Estates department since joining the firm in 2013.