Applying for the Grant, collecting and distributing the assets and undertaking all the work associated with the administration of the Estate

The amount of work involved is very much dependent upon the nature and size of the estate. 

For medium-sized estates worth between £150,000-£350,000 we anticipate this will take between 15 to 20 hours work at £300 per hour + VAT.   Total costs estimated at -£3,500-£4,500 (+VAT).  If the Estate is small, our fees could range between £500-£1,500 (+ VAT), whilst the legal costs associated with large Estates could range from £8,000-£10,000 (+ 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 one property

*  There are no more than 5 bank or building society accounts

*  There are no other intangible assets

*  There are 3-5 beneficiaries

*  There are no disputes between 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

Our charges are calculated principally on the amount of time spent by fee earner staff dealing with your matter which includes interviews with you and others, correspondence, telephone calls and consideration of the file, preparing documentation and in dealing with administration of the Estate (making preliminary enquiries for probate purposes, obtaining Grant, giving notice to unknown creditors by placing advert in London Gazette and local newspapers, discharging old debts, preparing Estate accounts and distributing the Estate in accordance with the Will or Rules of Intestacy), but also in most cases a percentage of the gross Estate value, (the value element) which varies from 0.5% to 1% of the Gross Estate. 

We will endeavour at our free consultation meeting to ascertain the size and complexity of the Estate and provide a quote which we consider to be fair and would reflect the nature of our work

Disbursements included in this fee:

*  Probate application fee If the value of the estate is over £5,000, the application fee is £273.  There’s no fee if the estate is £5,000 or less.  It is £1.50 per extra copy of the Grant of Probate

*  Will Search Combined search of the National Wills Register "Certainty" of £105 + VAT (£126)

*  Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)

*  £200 Post 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.

Potential additional costs

*  If there is no Will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is 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 £1.50 (1 per asset usually).

*  Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6-8 months.  Typically, obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 10-14 working days from the receipt of the application by the local Probate Registry.  Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 14 - 28 days.  Once this has been done, we can prepare Estate Accounts and distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-4 weeks.

Probate Fixed Fee

We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf.  We will also undertake the collecting and distributing of assets.

How much does this service cost?

TOTAL: fixed fee of £1,500 (incl. VAT and disbursements) (for Estates worth up to £100,000)

£2,000 (incl. VAT and disbursements) (for Estates worth from £100,000-£200,000)

£2,500 (incl. VAT and disbursements) (for Estates worth from £200,000-£300,000)

This includes: obtaining the Grant, collecting assets and distributing them.  Should you require our additional services such as preparing Estate Accounts and Tax returns for the deceased we will separately quote you for our work.

Disbursements:

*  If the value of the Estate is over £5,000, the application fee is £273. There’s no fee if the estate is £5,000 or less.£1.50 per additional copy (£222.50)

*  Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary).

* £200 Post 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 Solicitor 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 legal Statement of Truth

*  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

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 4-6 months. Typically, obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 10-14 working days from the receipt of the application by the local Probate Registry.  Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 14-28 days.  Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2 weeks.

Our Wills and Probate Team 

Goran Vucicevic – Chartered Legal Executive / Director

Lauren Floyd - Solicitor

Richard J. Porter - Wills and Probate Paralegal

Jane Uglow - Legal Assistant

Charlotte Stokes - Legal Assistant