The Solicitors Regulatory Authority, the body which regulates law firms, require us to provide you with information on our costs in relation to certain legal services which we provide. This is so that you have the information you need to make an informed choice of legal service provider, and an understanding as to what the total cost of that service may be.
One such legal service is the administration estates which included the collection and distribution of money, property and other assets belonging to a person following their death, where these assets are in the UK, and they are not contested. For any other probate query, please contact the Probate Team for a no-obligation discussion.
Each probate matter which we deal with is unique, albeit that there are common elements to each case.
We have provided below pricing information for a number of different scenarios which we come across, however exact costs will depend on the specific circumstances. We have listed factors which may cause the price to vary but for an accurate quote, please contact a member of the team and explain your specific circumstances and requirements.
Applying for the Grant of Probate only
If there is a valid Will in place, you can instruct us to only apply to the Probate Registry to obtain the Grant of Probate on your behalf.
Non-Taxable Estates: Where the total value of the assets in the estate is less than the nil rate band
The exact cost will depend on the number of the assets in the estate and whether you are claiming any allowances.
| Legal Fees: | £800 – £1000 plus VAT (£960- £1200) |
| Disbursements: | These are cost relating to your matter that are payable to 3rd parties |
| Probate Court Fee: | £273 for estates over £5000 |
| Swearing of the Oath if required (per executor): | £5 plus £2 for each exhibit |
| Extra copies of the grant of probate
(you would normally require one per asset) |
1.50p |
What this includes:
- Providing you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor or executive to work on your matter.
- Identifying the legally appointed Executors or Administrators.
- Completing the Probate Application for HMRC utilising the documents you have provided.
- Preparing necessary paperwork for signing.
- Making the application to HMRC on your behalf.
- Obtaining the Probate and sending two copies to you.
Taxable Estates: Where the total value of the assets in the estate exceeds the nil rate band
If is an estate is taxable we are unable to provide a fixed fee. The exact cost will depend on the number and complexity of the assets in the estate, and whether you are claiming any tax reliefs. This factors impact on the extent of the reporting to HMRC. Our fees will be calculated based on the number of hours it takes to complete the required HMRC forms. The hourly rate will depend on the level of experience of the Fee Earner dealing with your matter.
| Legal Fees: | Between £1000 & £2000 plus VAT (£1200 – £2400) |
| Disbursements: | These are cost relating to your matter that are payable to 3rd parties |
| Probate Court Fee: | £273 for estates over £5000 |
| Swearing of the Oath if required (per executor): | £5 plus £2 for each exhibit |
| Extra copies of the grant of probate
(you would normally require one per asset) |
1.50p |
What this includes:
- Providing you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor or executive to work on your matter.
- Identifying the legally appointed Executors or Administrators.
- Completing the Probate Application for HMRC utilising the documents you have provided.
- Preparing necessary paperwork for signing.
- Making the application to HMRC on your behalf.
- Obtaining the Probate and sending two copies to you.
These estimates are for applying for the grant only. If the instructions extend beyond this, the price will increase. Examples of situations where the price would increase include, but are not limited to:
- If the person making the application is doing so acting under a Power of Attorney or a Court of Protection Deputyship.
- If you require advice on the valuations obtained for the assets in the estate.
- If there are any foreign or business assets in the estate.
Applying for the Grant of Probate, collecting and distributing assets
If there is a valid Will in place, you can instruct us to deal with the whole administration of the estate the cost for which would include:
- Providing you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor or executive to work on your matter.
- Identifying the legally appointed Executors or Administrators.
- Collecting the details of the assets and liabilities.
- Completing the Probate Application for HMRC utilising the information we have obtained
- Preparing necessary paperwork for signing.
- Making the application to HMRC on your behalf.
- Closing all accounts and arranging the sale of any property.
- Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will.
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)
| Legal Fees: | £3000-£6000 plus VAT (£3600 – £7200) |
| Disbursements: | These are cost relating to your matter that are payable to 3rd parties |
| Probate Court Fee: | £273 for estates over £5000 |
| Swearing of the Oath if required (per executor): | £5 plus £2 for each exhibit |
| Extra copies of the grant of probate
(you would normally require one per asset) |
1.50p |
| Bankruptcy-only Land Charges search (per beneficiary): | £2 |
| S.27 Notice in the London Gazette and in a local newspaper | £150-200 depending on the local paper’s fees. |
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.
Please note that additional costs will be incurred for the sale or transfer of any property in the estate and please see our sales page for pricing details.
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 £2000 to £4000 plus VAT (£2400 -£4800) 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. A estimate would be provided before the work was undertaken.