Probate​

This depends on whether you instruct us on a Grant only basis (obtaining the Grant of Probate only on your behalf) or full administration of the estate.

On average obtaining Grant of Probate from the date the application is made takes between 8-12 weeks, to administer the estate thereafter depends on the size and complexity of the estate. In some cases, estates can take years to be finalised.

• Identify the appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries at an initial meeting and look through the contents of the Will/intestacy provisions
• Identify all assets and liabilities of the estate
• Accurately identify the type of Grant application you may require
• Obtain the relevant documentation to make the application
• Complete the Grant application and the relevant HMRC forms and calculate inheritance tax (IHT) to pay, if any. Send the same in draft for approval
• Draft a legal statement
• Make payment of any IHT and submit IHT forms to HMRC
• Make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf
• Obtain the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration
• Place Trustee Act notices in the London Gazette and/or local newspaper should you wish to do so
• Collect in and distribute all assets in the estate

Our costs are dependent on a time spent basis, but a typical quote for simple estates would start at £2,500 plus VAT, £4,000-£8,000 plus VAT for medium complexity estates, and in excess of this for high complexity estates.

The disbursements for this are £300 to obtain the Grant and an additional £1.50 per copy required. We currently charge £1,000 plus VAT for Grant only probate, if there is no need to complete an inheritance tax account.

If an inheritance tax account is required, then we charge on a time spent basis, but subject to a minimum fee of £2000 plus VAT.

For a full probate administration, we continue to charge on a time spent basis. We do not charge a percentage of the estate, but please note that our fees are likely to be 1-2% of the value of the gross estate.

These quotes are for estates where:

• There is a valid Will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than four bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are no more than six beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on the division of assets. If disputes do arise then this will 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 against the estate

Fees do not include:

Additional work required due to unforeseen complexity of the estate, claims made against the estate etc.

Additional disbursements may include:

• Bankruptcy-only Charges Department search
• Notice in the London Gazette – protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors
• Notice in a local newspaper – protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors

Additional costs may include

• If there is no Will
• If the estate consists of any shareholding (stocks and bonds)
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate

Please note that fees depend on the individual circumstances of the estate, such as the configuration of the assets and the number of beneficiaries involved.