Probate Pricing

Fixed Fee Charges

In simple cases we can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration on your behalf. We may agree a fixed fee for this service.

How much does this service cost?

A total fixed fee of £725 plus £145 VAT at 20%, a total of £870. This includes obtaining the grant in an estate where a full Inheritance Tax Return (IHT400) is not required.

A total fixed fee of £1,650 plus £330 VAT at 20%, a total of £1,980. This includes: obtaining the grant in an estate where a full Inheritance Tax Return (IHT400) is required.

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.

• Probate court fee of £300 (no VAT payable)
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches at a cost of £7 per beneficiary (no VAT payable).
• Advertise in the London Gazette – this protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors and costs £92 plus £18.40 VAT at 20%, a total of £110.40.
• Advertise in a local newspaper – this also helps to protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors and costs between £100 and £200 plus VAT at 20% (between £20 and £40 VAT).
• £1.50 per copy grant of probate (no VAT payable).
  

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 3-4 months. The probate registry currently estimates that it will take 12 weeks from the probate application being made to the grant being issued.

Fees for Complex Estates

For the vast majority of cases, applications are more complex, and it is not possible to proceed by way of fixed fee. We anticipate applying for the grant, collecting, and distributing the assets will take between 15 and 20 hours work at £196 per hour plus VAT at 20% (£39.20 VAT per hour). This equates to total costs of between £2,940 and £3,920 plus VAT at 20% (between £588 and £784 VAT). Together with a value element of 1% of the gross estate plus VAT at 20%.

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 towards the higher end. In our experience the average total charge to include both capital element and time element is around 1.5%-2% of the gross estate plus VAT at 20%.

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.

• Probate court fee of £300 (no VAT payable)
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches at a cost of £7 per beneficiary (no VAT payable).
• Advertise in the London Gazette – this protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors and costs £92 plus £18.40 VAT at 20%, a total of £110.40.
• Advertise in a local newspaper – this also helps to protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors and costs between £100 and £200 plus VAT at 20% (between £20 and £40 VAT).
  

How long will this take?

On average,  estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6-9 months. Typically, it takes around 6 weeks to gather the information leading to the grant, obtaining the grant of probate takes 12 weeks once the application is lodged with the Probate Registry. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 4-8 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 1-2 weeks. Times can differ greatly depending upon the composition of the estate e.g. it can take longer to sell shares or a property.

Potential for additional costs

• Disputes between beneficiaries about the division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs.
• Claims brought against the estate are likely to result in an increase in costs. 
• If there is no will and there are unknown beneficiaries to be traced 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.
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.