When you instruct us you can rest assured that you are in the safe hands of experienced and qualified solicitors who will provide you with an excellent level of service and value for money. Our Probate team has over 50 years combined experience in dealing with all aspects of estate administration.

We offer two fixed fee services, a Grant Extract Only service or a Full Estate Administration service.

Grant Extract Only Service

What's included:

• We will handle all the legal drafting of the Probate Oath and make the application to the Probate Registry
• Using our expertise we will identify the type of Grant you will require
• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• Complete the relevant HMRC forms
• Complete the Application
• Draft an oath for you to execute
• Make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf
• We will liaise with the Probate Registry with any queries or requisitions they may have
• Once we have obtained the Grant we will send the copies to you

What's not included:

• We do not have any other involvement in the probate case leaving you free to handle all the aspects of the administration. We do not carry out any of the following work:
• Establish the assets
• Obtain asset valuations
• Complete any tax returns or forms
• Calculate any taxes that may be payable
• Pay any taxes that may be due
• Pay estate debts
• Distribute the assets to beneficiaries
• Transfer the legal title of any property
• Liaise with the beneficiaries
• Prepare estate accounts

If you require additional work that does not form part of this service then we will advise you in advance of the work required and agree a fee with you.

Our Grant Extract Only Service Fees and Disbursements

Grant only Application (IHT205 & IHT217 including on-line applications) £1500 plus vat (£1800)
Grant only Application IHT400 to start at £3,500 plus vat (£4200) (this is limited to certain estates which we can advise upon. If the estate is more complex we will advise you of the fee and if acting on a Grant only instruction is appropriate. Please contact us to discuss further)

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Probate Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Full Estate Administration Service.

Administering an estate can be a difficult and daunting task particularly for larger or complicated estates. We can help you through this difficult process an manage the entire process for you.

What's included:

• We will handle all aspects of administering the estate including;
• Gathering all the information and paperwork of the estate
• Obtaining the original Will and ensuring that it is valid
• Identifying the Executors and beneficiaries
• Notify financial institutions and obtaining account balances
• We will handle drafting of the Legal Statement and make the application to the probate registry
• We will liaise with the Probate Registry with any queries or requisitions they may have
• Establish the assets
• Complete tax returns and pay any taxes
• Pay estate debts
• Distribute the assets to the beneficiaries

What's not included:

• Conveyancing costs for transferring property assets.
• Disputed probates or dealing with disputes between beneficiaries
• Deeds of Variation

Our Probate fees and disbursements

Our fees are based on the time we spend on a case charged at an hourly rate. In some cases where the estate is particularly complex or of a high value we may also charge between 0.5% to 1% of the gross value of the estate assets to take account of the work required and the responsibility of the firm (e.g estate valued at £100,000 – our charges at 0.5% = £500 plus vat of £100 =£600, our charges at 1% of the value of the estate = £1000 plus vat of £200 = £1200). Assets of the estate include residential homes, second homes or investment properties, shares and investments. The exact cost will naturally depend on the individual circumstances of the estate. 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 happily provide you with an accurate quote once we have reviewed the case.

Disbursements that are likely to be payable:

Probate application fee of £273 (no vat payable).
Additional copies of the grant £1.50 per copy (no vat payable).
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches £2 per beneficiary (no vat payable)
Post in The London Gazette and a local newspaper £200-£300 . The fee alters depending on the advertisement and the different newspaper companies charge at different rates, these fees will be subject to VAT (currently at 20%), we will provide you with details of the newspaper companies fees including VAT upon enquiry

Deeds of Variation from £525 – £1,500 plus vat (£105 to £300 respectively, our total charges will be between (£630 to £1,800) depending on the complexity and drafting.

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

Frequently asked Questions

• 1. How long will it take to conclude the administration of the estate?
• On average, estates are dealt with within 6-12 months.
• 2. How long will it take to obtain the Grant of Probate?
• It normally takes between 8 – 16 weeks.
• 3. What are the stages of the Probate process?
• Take your instructions and receive all relevant paper work.
• Notify relevant institutions including banks, insurance companies and utility companies
• Value and collate the estate
• Pay inheritance tax (if applicable)
• Apply for grant of probate (or letters of administration if there is no Will)
• Inform interested parties
• Gather the estate assets (liquidate if required) and then paying any debts from the estate
• Distribute the estate in line with the Will or rules of intestacy if there is no Will.

Our Probate Team
Our Probate team of solicitors has over 50 years combined experience in dealing with all aspects of estate administration.

• Richard Bull
• Nana Ravalier