​Full Estate Administration

This includes applying for the Grant of Probate, collecting and distributing assets, and managing all legal and administrative tasks involved in administering the estate. The time and cost involved will depend on the size and complexity of the estate.

Estimated Costs
For estates valued between £150,000 and £350,000, we anticipate this will require 15–20 hours of work at our hourly rate of £300 + VAT, giving a total estimated cost of £3,500–£4,500 + VAT.

• Small estates: £500–£1,500 + VAT
• Large estates: £8,000–£10,000 + VAT

The exact fee will depend on the individual circumstances. For example, an estate with a single beneficiary and no property will fall at the lower end of the scale, whereas estates with multiple beneficiaries, properties or accounts will be more complex and cost more.

We will manage the entire process.
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​The above estimate applies to estates where:

• There is a valid Will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than five bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are between three and five beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries
• No Inheritance Tax is payable
• A full HMRC account is not required
• There are no claims made against the estate

How Our Fees Are Calculated​

Our charges are primarily based on the time spent by our legal team, which includes meetings, correspondence, document preparation, and the administration of the estate (e.g. identifying assets, obtaining the Grant, advertising for unknown creditors, settling debts, preparing estate accounts and distributing the estate).

In some cases, we also apply a value-based element to our fee, which typically ranges between 0.5% and 1% of the gross value of the estate.
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We will assess the size and complexity of the estate at our free initial consultation and provide you with a clear and fair quote.

Disbursements

These are third-party costs we pay on your behalf to streamline the process:

• Probate application fee: £273 (if the estate is over £5,000)
  
• Copies of the Grant: £1.50 each
  
• Will search (Certainty Register): £105 + VAT (£126)
  
• Bankruptcy searches: £2 per beneficiary
  
• Statutory notices (London Gazette and local newspaper): Approx. £200
  

Potential Additional Costs

• Where there is no Will, or where the estate includes shareholdings (stocks, bonds, etc.), additional work may be required
• Additional copies of the Grant: £1.50 each (typically one per asset)
• Property sales or transfers are not included and will be quoted separately
• If a medical opinion on capacity is needed, the client’s GP may charge a separate fee

Estimated Timescales

On average, estates within this category are completed in 6 to 8 months:

• Grant of Probate: 10–14 working days from application
  
• Collecting assets: 2–4 weeks
  
• Preparing final accounts and distribution: 2–4 weeks
  

Fixed Fee Probate Services

We also offer a simplified fixed fee service for smaller estates. This includes applying for the Grant, collecting assets, and distributing them.

Estate Value                                              Total Fee (incl. VAT & Disbursements)
Up to £100,000                       £1,500
£100,001 to £200,000          £2,000
£200,001 to £300,000          £2,500

what's included

• A dedicated, experienced probate solicitor
  
• Identifying executors, administrators and beneficiaries
  
• Advising on the correct type of probate application
  
• Obtaining required documentation
  
• Preparing and submitting the probate application and HMRC forms
  
• Drafting and submitting the legal Statement of Truth
  
• Securing the Grant of Probate
  
• Collecting and distributing estate assets
  

disbursements (included in fixed fee)

• ​Probate application fee (if applicable)
• Copies of the Grant
• Bankruptcy searches
• Statutory notices in The London Gazette and local newspaper

timeframe

​Estates in this category are typically dealt with within 4–6 months, with Grant of Probate received within 10–14 working days. Collection and distribution of assets usually takes 4–6 weeks in total.

If you would like to discuss your probate needs, please contact us for a free consultation. We are here to support you through every step of the process. Call us on 01278 456621, option 2,

More about Probate