Probate Service Information
Please see below our most frequently asked questions regarding our pricing information.
FAQs
When a person dies, authorised individuals have to deal with the estate by collecting the assets, paying all liabilities and distributing the remainder to the right people or organisations.
Where there is a will, that authority is called a Grant of Probate, where there is no will, it is called a Grant of Letters of Administration.
The Grant is obtained by making an application to the Probate Registry.
Although there are differences in all estates, the usual process can be summarised as follows:
| Stage 1
Meeting you to understand how the estate is made up – what are the assets and liabilities. At this stage we will explain your responsibilities as the executor or administrator.
|
Stage 5
Registering the Grant. The Grant has to be sent to asset holders to enable estate assets to be sold or transferred. |
| Stage 2
Valuing the estate by contacting banks, building societies and other investment holders and any creditors. We can obtain valuations of properties and shareholdings.
|
Stage 6
Paying the liabilities. When the estate assets have been collected in, any outstanding liabilities and tax are paid. |
| Stage 3
Preparing the application for the Grant and the HMRC account (if required). At this stage Inheritance Tax may have to be paid. We will work with you to agree how that payment is made.
|
Stage 7
Paying legacies and completing specific gifts by payment or transfer to the relevant individuals or organisations. Property and share transfers are completed. Considering interim distributions to residuary beneficiaries.
|
| Stage 4
Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration. This is the formal authority for the executors/administrators to administer the estate. |
Stage 8
Final estate accounts. A detailed set of accounts are prepared to set out the financial history of the estate administration. Final payments are made to the residuary beneficiaries.
|
Our charges are calculated in accordance with Law Society guidelines. These include factors such as the amount of time spent, the value of the estate, the number of assets and beneficiaries and the qualifications and experience of the person dealing with your matter.
To be cost effective and competitive, some day to day work can be done by a probate administrator. More complex and high value work will be done by a lawyer in the team.
Whoever does the work, it is all supervised and reviewed where necessary by a partner in the team.
We find that this produces a competitive price without in any way compromising the quality of our work.
Below are some examples:
| Estate type | Legal fees for obtaining Grant of Probate only | Legal fees to deal with the full administration of the estate
|
|
Non-taxable estate (no Inheritance Tax)
|
£2,340 to £5,410 |
Minimum charge £5,250 |
|
Taxable Estate (subject to Inheritance Tax liability)
|
Minimum charge £8,000 |
Minimum charge £15,000 |
Please note:
The above figures are exclusive of VAT (at 20%) and disbursements.
Before any work is carried out we will send you a comprehensive pricing proposal and we will sometimes be able to offer you pricing options.
These are expenses that have to be paid in addition to our charges and these can include:
- Probate Registry fee: £300 plus £1.50 per official copy.
- Land Registry fees (official copy of the title of the deceased’s property) £14 plus VAT (at 20%) per title.
- Standard identity and insolvency check (in the UK): £7 plus VAT (at 20%) per beneficiary.
- Financial Premium Profile search at £175.50 plus VAT (at 20%) including credit and liabilities search of banks, pension providers, life insurers and share registrars and Experian Credit Bureau record check. This also includes a search for digital assets and on-line accounts.
- Statutory advertisements: approximately £200 (depending on newspaper rates).
- Will Search fees from £94 plus VAT (at 20%).
There may also be other expenses such as valuation costs, investment managers’ fees, stockbroker’s fees for share sales, utility bills and insurance premiums.
The estate may be subject to an Inheritance Tax liability.
Details of our team and their experience can be found here.
Once we fully understand your needs, we will assign your case to the most appropriate member of our team. All work done by the team is ultimately supervised by the Team Leader or one of the other partners in the team. The lawyers in our team are supported by paralegals and other assistants to ensure that your case is handled efficiently and cost-effectively.