Fixed Probate Pricing (FEES & SERVICES)
How much does probate cost?
Here are the costs relating to probate if you’d like to use our legal services.
Please note, when you will instruct us, we will give you more clear information on probate costs, based upon the time and work involved. Please note that we do not charge a percentage based on the value of the estate.
Please also note that our fixed or estimated fees for Wills and Probate work are based upon a matter having standard features. They give an indication of the likely range of prices in most instances. However, if your matter has non-standard features such as complex property, family relationships, dispositions or risks, then we may not be able to assist you for the fees shown on our website. In that instance we may give you an alternative fee quote based on hourly rates or further fixed or estimated fees.
We can help you to deal with the full process of the administration of an estate from start to finish. However, we can limit the work that we undertake to obtaining the grant of probate or administration if you choose to deal with the practical steps of the administration. Costs are lower if we work on a “grant only” basis. Some typical examples, with costings, for the full administration of a simple estate and a “grant only” instruction. We will agree the level and extent of the work that we undertake for you to suit your requirements.
Grant of probate/grant of letters of administration only – £500 plus VAT
Executors/administrators can then deal with the administration of the estate after we have obtained the grant for them.
With a simple estate, you may wish to use us on a “grant only” basis. This means that you will retain responsibility for administering the estate, but we will prepare all necessary documentation to obtain your grant of probate from the Probate Registry.
What Service Do Our Fees Include – grant only?
- You provide us with date of death valuations for all assets and liabilities and other information that we need
- We prepare the documentation, including forms of oath for executors/administrators and HM Revenue return of estate information, then meet you to arrange for you to sign, and to be sworn to the oath
- We make application for and obtain from the Probate Registry the grant of probate
- We provide you with the grant of probate for you to administer the estate
This assumes:
- There is a valid will
- There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HM Revenue & Customs
- There are no claims made against the estate and no caveats registered with the Probate Registry
In these cases, we will work on a fixed fee of £500 plus VAT and disbursements (Probate Registry fee £160, oath / oath settlement fees £27, equating to a total of £787.
Dealing with entire estate (obtaining grant, collecting in assets and distributing to beneficiaries)
Average estate values are under £325,000 and with no inheritance tax payable, where this is the case our average prices are:
Basic price range
Estate of 1 property and up to 4 accounts – £1,200 plus VAT
Estate of 1 property and from 5 to 10 accounts – £1600 plus VAT
Additional costs relating to the administration of the estate
If there is no Will there will be an additional charge in relation to the increased complexity £300 plus VAT
Banded fee scale in relation to number of shareholdings/stocks
Additional fee as follows:
1 to 3 shareholdings – £100 plus VAT
3 to 5 shareholdings – £250 plus VAT
6 plus shareholdings – £300 plus VAT
Banded fee scale in relation to number of beneficiaries
Additional fee as follows:
3 to 5 beneficiaries – £100 plus VAT
6 plus beneficiaries – £250 plus VAT
Disbursements
Disbursements are expenses related to the estate 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. Disbursements may include in this fee:
*Third party costs
- Probate Court fee of £155.
- £1.50 for each office copy of the grant required (1 per asset usually).
- £3 plus VAT HM Land Registry official copy entry.
- £2 bankruptcy search.
- £5 plus VAT for electronic ID search.
- HM Land Registry registration fees based on scales and the value and status of the property.
- Other third-party costs will be advised as required, e.g. accountant’s fee for potential income tax return, statutory advertisement fee to advertise for unknown creditors, asset tracing fee.
- There may be additional third-party costs for lost share certificates and share registrar and/or sale agent fees on transfer or sale of the shares.
- S27 Advertisements in the London Gazette and a local newspaper in from £150 – £300 depending on the local newspaper advertising costs.
- Stockbroker fees – £25 – £150 depending on the number of shareholdings to be dealt with.
Potential additional costs
- Costs of sale or transfer of shareholdings, stocks and bonds if applicable.
- Costs of the sale or transfer of any land or property in the estate if applicable.
Exclusions
There may be factors which would typically increase the cost of our fees. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided.
Additional services that will require the assistance of a third party at additional cost include:
- conveyancing of any property in the estate
- tax advice
- valuations for property, savings, investments or other assets
- Deed of Variation – from £500+ depending on the complexity
Inheritance Tax
There are various factors that will affect any Inheritance Tax due on an estate, including the size of the estate and any measures that were put in place by the deceased to limit the estates tax liability.
We do not believe that it would be sensible to attempt to provide at this stage an estimate of any tax that may be payable. We would advise you to look on the HMRC Website to calculate Inheritance Tax which may be due, the calculators can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmrc-tools-and-calculators#inheritance-tax-and-bereavement
What Service Do Our Fees Include?
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 oath for you to swear.
- 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.
How long will this take?
Typically, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within three to nine months, including 2 to 6 months to obtain the grant of probate, then 1 to 3 months to collect the assets.
We always aim to progress matters effectively and efficiently and to shorten the timescale wherever possible. However, the process can take longer if complications arise, such as disputes with beneficiaries, claims against the estate, delay in selling property, enquiries being raised by HM Revenue & Customs or the Department for Work and Pensions, or delay by any third party involved in the process. Please note that due to COVID -19, it may take longer than expected.
Key Stages in probate matter.
With every transaction there are key stages, which may vary according to individual circumstances. They may be as follows:
- Obtain details of the estate
- Applying for Grant of Probate
- Obtaining Grant of Probate
- Settling Liabilities (i.e pay inheritance tax if due)
- Collecting funds ready for distribution
- Distributing funds
- Producing Estate accounts
In case of hourly rate apply:
Our hourly fixed rates as follows:
The charging structure of this firm is as follows: –
| Grade of Fee Earner | Description of Fee Earner | Hourly Rate |
| A | Notaries Public, Consultants, Partners/Directors and Solicitors with over eight years post qualification experience including at least eight years of litigation experience | £225.00 per hour |
| B | Senior Solicitors and Fellows of Institute of Legal Executives and Chartered Accountants with over four years post qualification experience including at least four years of litigation experience | £196.00 per hour |
| C | Assistant/Associate Solicitors and Senior Legal Executives, Law Costs Draftsmen, Legal Executives and Para-Legals | £170.00 per hour |
| D | Trainee solicitors and other support staff | £136.00 per hour |
Letters out and telephone calls will be charged at a tenth of this hourly charging rate. (Hourly Charges are plus VAT 20%)
Who will Carry Out the Work:
The work is carried out by Mr. Nazakat Khan (Grade A Solicitor) with the Assistance of Paralegals Sharafat Khan (Grade D). All employment law work is supervised by a qualified solicitor.
Specific credentials of the staff can be seen in the ‘About Us Page’.