Our Non-Contested Probate Fees

Fixed Costs for “Grant Only” cases for work Up To Grant of Representation
Where we are solely reliant on our client providing date of death valuation figures we will provide an accurate fixed quote once we know exactly what is entailed however, please note that our price range for dealing with such matters is between £3,000 plus VAT and disbursements to £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements. In the event that there are additional schedules to produce for the IHT 400 the work required to complete the application will be charged at the hourly rate set out below. The additional time spent will be charged in addition to the fixed costs set out above. In the event it is clear that additional time and costs will be required we will advise you accordingly and will provide you with a time estimate at the earliest opportunity.

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets
In most cases where there are no complications, we anticipate we will be able to provide you with a reasonably accurate quote. Please note, hourly rates can vary dependant on the fee earner and their experience ranging from £200 per hour for a paralegal, and anywhere between £325 to £385 plus VAT per hour for a qualified solicitor depending on their years of experience. Our fees are based according to the time spent and calculated in units of 10 units per hour for letters and emails written, telephone calls, personal attendance, preparation of documents, reviewing documents, considering and drafting documents etc. Our firm’s costs for the administration of the estate are calculated using likely hours of work required for the size of estate/number of different assets and also based on a percentage value of both real estate (land and properties) and personal estate (cash in bank, shareholdings, jewellery/valuables etc)

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 lower due to less time being spent on the matter. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and several bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end. Where the partners of the firm are the executors we reserve the right to make an additional charge to reflect the additional responsibility involved. 

We will handle the full process for you, including the following:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate fee earner 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

• Draft a Statement of Truth for you to sign

• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf

• Obtain the Grant of Representation

• Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

• Take care of any tax affairs arising during the course of administration

• Produce Estate Accounts detailing the date of death value of the estate, any monies paid in or out during the administration period and the distributions made to beneficiaries.

Disbursements

• Probate application fee – currently £273;

• Official copies of the Grant of Probate – £1.50 per copy, and we recommend obtaining at least 3 copies depending on the number of assets in the estate;

• File Opening Fee £54 (inc. VAT)- includes cost of all admin tasks, ID/AML checks, closing, archiving and file storage

• Official copies of a property title-£3 per title

• Bankruptcy searches – Land Charges Department only – £2.00 per executor/beneficiary. If it is appropriate to make bankruptcy searches against beneficiaries overseas then additional charges will arise;

• Statutory Notices – £250-£300. These are advertisements published in the London Gazette and a local paper giving notice of the personal representatives’ intention to distribute, which protects against unexpected claims;

• Financial Asset Search - £222.00 (inc. VAT)

• Fees paid to companies/stockbrokers on realisation of shares during the course of the administration.

There will be disbursements in addition to our fee. Disbursements are expenses 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 but do expect to be put in funds prior to incurring the expenditure. We usually anticipate the following disbursements:

We will handle the full process for you, including the following:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate fee earner 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

• Draft a Statement of Truth for you to sign

• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf

• Obtain the Grant of Representation

• Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

• Take care of any tax affairs arising during the course of administration

• Produce Estate Accounts detailing the date of death value of the estate, any monies paid in or out during the administration period and the distributions made to beneficiaries.