Probate Fees

You can instruct us to only apply to the Probate Registry to obtain the Grant of Probate on your behalf. We will require all the necessary details of the assets and liabilities of the estate.

Non-Taxable Estates

What this includes:

• Providing you with a probate solicitor to work on your matter.
• Identifying the legally appointed Executors or Administrators.
• Preparing necessary paperwork for signing.
• Complete the Probate Application.
• Obtaining the Probate.

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The exact cost will depend on the number of the assets in the estate and whether you are claiming any allowances.

If an estate is taxable we can provide a fixed fee once we have all the information.  The exact cost will depend on the number and complexity of the assets in the estate, and whether you are claiming any tax reliefs.

These estimates are for applying for the grant only.  If the instructions extend beyond this, the price will increase.

Full Administration Fees

You can instruct us to deal with the whole administration of the estate the cost for which would include:

• Providing you with a probate solicitor to work on your matter.
• Meet with you (virtually or in person) to discuss what information we require.
• Identify the type of Probate application you will require.
• Contact all asset holders and liabilities to obtain date of death valuations
• Prepare the Court application, legal statement of truth and HM Revenue & Customs inheritance tax forms (if necessary)
• Submit the inheritance tax forms to HM Revenue & Customs (if applicable)
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Chase and/or liaise with the Court
• Once the Grant has been issued, prepare the closure forms/transfer forms.
• Correspond with banks/assets to release funds
• Look to discharge any liabilities
• Sell investments and/or property (if applicable)
• Pay any pecuniary legacies
• Contact the beneficiaries of the estate and carry out bankruptcy searches
• Draw up estate accounts and deal with the distribution of the estate.

 

Our fees will be calculated based on the number of hours it takes to complete the administration. The hourly rate will depend on the level of experience of the Fee Earner dealing with your matter.

Non-Taxable Estates:  Where the total value of the assets in the estate is less than the nil rate band (before the use of the Residents Nil Rate Band):

 

Factors which may cause the costs to rise above this estimate are:

• If the person making the application is doing so acting under a Power of Attorney or a Court of Protection Deputyship.
• If the validity of the Will is questioned.
• If the Will is complex.
• If any of the beneficiaries are unknown or need to be traced.
• If there is a Trust contained in the Will.
• If the Residence Nil Rate Band is being claimed.
• If there is a dispute between beneficiaries on the division of the assets.
• If there is inheritance tax payable and the Executors need to submit a full account to the HMRC.
• If there is a claim made against the estate.
• If there is more than one property.
• If there are foreign assets.
• If there are business assets.
• If the estate consists of any shareholdings.
• If corrective accounts need to be submitted to HMRC.
• If there needs to be the application of ‘downsizing’ when applying for Residence Nil Rate Band.
• If there needs to be a claim made for either Agricultural Property relief or Business Property relief.

We can provide you with a more accurate estimate once we have more information about the estate.

Intestate Estates

A person may pass away without leaving a Will, or a valid Will.  This means that they have died intestate.

Although the processes referred to above will still apply, additional costs will be incurred.  We will incur extra time in identifying and tracing the correct person to administer the estate and the beneficiaries of the estate. The additional costs are usually in the region of £2,000.00 to £4,000.00 plus VAT (£2,400.00 to £4,800.00) but we can give you a more accurate quote once we know more about the deceased circumstances.

We would instruct an Enquiry Agent or Tracing Agent to provide confirmation of the people entitles to benefit.  They would charge for their services as a disbursement.  The costs depend on the particular situation, for example, the number of beneficiaries that need to be traced, or the complexity of the family structure.  An estimate would be provided before the work was undertaken.

All estate administration work is supervised by a qualified solicitor.