Probate Fees

Typical timescales

Again, this is not an exact science with probate work. A simple estate can be completed in three or four months and a more complex estate can take over a year to complete. We will endeavour to provide you with a more accurate timescale in our initial meeting.

Disbursements

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 disbursements include:

• Probate Court Fee of £300 for estates with a value exceeding £5,000
• £1.50 per copy of the grant (the number required will depend on the particular estate)
• Bankruptcy only land charge search fee: £2.75 plus VAT per beneficiary
• Land Registry office copies: £6 per property
• Advertisements in the London Gazette and local newspapers (this protects from unwanted claims from unknown creditors) approximately £275 plus VAT depending on the newspaper.

The other most common costs are tax (inheritance tax, income tax, capital gains tax) and valuation fees. You may find it helpful to use the HRMC inheritance tax calculator which can be accessed here

Services

We usually deal with the whole process of the administration of the estate, which will include:

• Ascertaining and obtaining valuations for the assets and liabilities of the estate, including joint or trust assets and generally gathering the information required to complete the probate papers;
• Obtaining details of any gifts made by the deceased in the seven years prior to death;
• Obtaining details of any assets in which the deceased had reserved a benefit;
• Identifying the beneficiaries;
• Drafting the necessary statement and other papers for HMRC (Inheritance Tax) and the Probate Registry;
• Applying for and obtaining the grant of representation;
• Realising the assets of the estate;
• Settling the estate liabilities, inheritance tax and administrative expenses;
• Preparing and updating estate accounts; and
• Distributing the residuary estate in accordance with the will.

Clients may prefer to undertake some of these tasks themselves and we are happy to discuss with you which aspects of the administration you would like us to undertake for you.  A useful resource which helps to explain the probate process can be found here

Exclusions

Property work is charged separately and if there is a house in the estate to be sold, we will provide a quote for the conveyancing work and disbursements.

The fees for dealing with more complicated estates may be higher. Examples are where there is a dispute, the assets are worth significantly more, the estate includes a business or private company shares or there are assets overseas.

Who will have conduct of my matter?

Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by an appropriately qualified practitioner. Jack Fairweather, Solicitor and Head of Department, will have overall supervision for all practitioners within the department.

What are my next steps?

We offer a free half an hour consultation where we can provide you with a more accurate quote based on the information you provide us with. We will do our best to keep to within that quote and let you know as soon as we are approaching the limit of what you have agreed to pay.