Probate Fees
Applying for the Grant of Probate, collecting and distributing the assets.
We charge a fixed fee for making the application for the Grant where it is a straightforward non-taxable estate. Our charge for the application in such cases is £1,250 exc. VAT or £1,500 inc. VAT (on the basis that you can confirm assets and liabilities). If the estate is subject to Inheritance Tax, then the cost is based on our hourly rate. The post-Grant administration is also based on our hourly rate. Our hourly rates vary depending upon the experience of the person working on your file (e.g. whether they are a paralegal, trainee solicitor, assistant solicitor, associate solicitor, or partner). The range of our hourly rates is between £145 - £325 exc. VAT. As an example, a case taking between 3 and 7 hours at £185 per hour exc. VAT (which is an average probate matter), the total cost estimated would be between £555 and £1,295 exc. VAT or £666 – £1,554 inc. 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 1 property
- All assets are UK-based
- There are no more than 4 bank or building society accounts
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are 1–4 beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries or potential 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
- The tax return for the administration period can be completed on an informal basis, or is not required, because it falls within the interim measure exception granted by HMRC
Please note, we are of course very happy to advise you of our approximate fees if your case does not fit into the above fixed fee quote, or if you would like bespoke advice.
Disbursements in addition to our fees:
- Probate application fee of £273 and £1.50 for each official, sealed copy (number required depending on the estate size)
- £7 Swearing of the oath (per executor)
- Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
- Trustee Act Notices: generally in the region of £170 to £250 for advertisement in the London
- Gazette and a local paper
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 shareholdings (stocks and bonds) there are 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 50 pence each, as detailed above (as a general rule; 1 per asset usually).
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included. Nor is additional advice, if required, for any Capital Gains Tax liability potentially arising during the estate administration.
How long will my matter take?
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt within 6-12 months. Typically, obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 3-6 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 16-20 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 1-2 weeks.
As part of our fee for obtaining the Grant of Probate and administering the estate, we will:
- Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
- Check the validity of the Will
- 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
- Collect and distribute all assets in the estate
Again we are very happy to advise and to estimate fees for more complex cases, including those where a Will is being challenged.
Experts in Probate
- Hourly rate:
- £350p/h
- Hourly rate:
- £350p/h
- Hourly rate:
- £350p/h
- Hourly rate:
- £305p/h
- Hourly rate:
- £305p/h
- Hourly rate:
- £260p/h
- Hourly rate:
- £260p/h
