Administration of an Estate

Estate Administration

Losing someone close to you can be difficult enough without the added burden of having to deal with all the administrative issues involved.

Depending on the circumstances it can also be difficult dealing with the personal wishes of the deceased and you may find it easier to let us cope with issues such as the collection of assets or distribution of bequests.

We will ensure that you and your family are dealt with compassionately and that you receive both the expert advice and practical support that are needed at such difficult times.

We understand that this can be an emotional and upsetting time and we are committed to helping make the process as simple as possible for you whilst ensuring that your loved one’s final wishes are carried out.

Our team of solicitors will guide you through the whole process from the initial assessment of the estate value, obtaining probate and the final distribution of assets.

Fixed Fee Pricing – Grant Only Service

For those people who want the burden of administering and distributing their loved ones estate to be taken from their shoulders, Poole Alcock are specialists in estate administration. We will ensure that all tax and death duties are paid, that all of the estate assets are called in and distributed in accordance with your loved one’s wishes.

Our fixed fee is calculated with reference to the gross estate value as follows:

On the first £500,000 we charge 3.5% of value.
On the next £500,000 we charge 2% of value.
On any monies over £1m we charge 1% of value.

Please note that for small estates where the gross value is below £100,000.00, the fixed fee will be based on a 5% charge.

In addition VAT and Disbursements (third party payments) will apply. Disbursements can include:

Probate registry fee – from £155
Statement settling fee – £15
Bankruptcy search – £2 each
Trustee Act notice – estimated £150-£250

Fixed Fee Pricing – Estate Administration

You may wish to arrange the adminstration and distribution of your loved one’s estate yourself. In these circumstances we offer a “Grant Only” service where we will carry out all of the necessary legal steps to obtain a Grant of Probate which allows you to deal with the estate. Grant only services start at a fixed fee of £1,500 plus VAT for simple estates.

In addition Disbursements (third party payments) will apply. Disbursements can include:

Probate registry fee – from £155
Statement settling fee – £15

How long does it take to administer an estate?

It is very difficult to estimate timescales in estate administration cases as no two cases are the same. Typically though it takes from 8-10 weeks to obtain a Grant of Probate from the date that you instruct us.

The length of time it takes to administer an estate will vary significantly depending on the number of assets to be dealt with and the complexity of the financial arrangements. These cases will usually take at least 6 months from instruction and may be significantly longer for complex estates. We will of course provide you with a more accurate timescale estimate when we have a better understanding of the estate.