Probate – Grant Only Service Pricing

You may wish to arrange the administration 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. 

Our fees are charged on an hourly rate basis at £350 per hour plus VAT at 20% (£70 per hour). Typical costs are outlined below:

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. Disbursements which may be payable in addition are detailed below. Where the VAT status of the third party is known, we have stated this below. Where not stated, we will not know the VAT status until the third party has been instructed, in which case we will confirm this at the time. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. Where the third parties are VAT registered, the VAT will also be charged to you. 

•  Probate application fee of £273.00 (no VAT payable)

•  Section 27 Trustee Act notice in the London Gazette and Local Newspaper – Estimated £150-£250 (plus VAT at 20%) This helps protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.

• If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 (1 per asset usually). (no VAT payable)

What is not included?

• Payment of estate liabilities;

• Collection or distribution of assets in the estate;

• Advise or preparation where a Deed of Variation may be required;

• Preparation of Estate Accounts.

Key stages/milestones for Probate – Grant Only Service

Our Probate Only Service key stages are outlined below and are included in the fees stated above: 

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate team to work on your matter;

• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries;

• Identify any issues relevant to the validity of the Will;

• Explain the Intestacy Rules and how these apply in the absence of a valid Will;

• Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require;

• Utilise the information you provide to complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms;

• If Inheritance Tax is payable, calculate the amount due and liaise with you and other third parties to arrange payment; 

• Draft a legal statement or probate application form for you to sign;

• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf;

• Obtain the Probate/Letters of administration. 

• Provide you with the copies of the Probate/Letters of administration for you to administer the estate yourself 

Full Estate Administration Pricing

Our Full Administration Service includes applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets and dealing with other relevant parties as necessary.

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

•  On the first £500,000 we charge 3.75% of the gross value.

•  On the next £500,000 we charge 2% of the gross value.

•  On any monies over £1m we charge 1% of the gross value.

Please note that for small estates where the gross value is below £100,000.00, the fixed fee is equal to 5% of the gross value of the estate.

In addition, the above fees are subject to VAT at 20%. Disbursements (payments to third parties) will apply. 

No hourly rate is payable in addition to the fixed fee. 

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. Disbursements which may be payable in addition are detailed below. Where the VAT status of the third party is known, we have stated this below. Where not stated, we will not know the VAT status until the third party has been instructed, in which case we will confirm this at the time. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. Where the third parties are VAT registered, the VAT will also be charged to you. 

Probate application fee of £273.00 (no VAT payable)

Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2.00 plus VAT at 20% per beneficiary)

Section 27 Trustee Act notice in the London Gazette and Local Newspaper – Estimated £150-£250 (plus VAT at 20%) This helps protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.

If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 (1 per asset usually). (no VAT payable)

If the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there could be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the registrars admin fees.  We can give you a more accurate quote (including any VAT payable) once we have more information.

Valuation reports (for example surveyor or jeweller). Again, we can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information (including any VAT payable).

What is not included? 

•  Any work in connection with a dispute, including a dispute relating to the Will, between beneficiaries on division of assets or claims against the estate. If disputes arise this will be referred to our litigation team for which further costs will apply. Our litigation team would be happy to provide a quote for the fees for their services.

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

Key stages/milestones for Full Estate Administration

We will handle the full process for you including, but not limited to, the following key stages, all within the fees set out above:

•  Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate team to work on your matter;

•  Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries;

•  Identify any issues relevant to the validity of the Will;

•  Explain the Intestacy Rules and how these apply in the absence of a valid Will;

•  Accurately identify the type of probate application you will require;

•  Prepare the relevant documents required to make the probate application;

•  Complete the probate application and the relevant HM Revenue and custom forms (as required);

•  Ascertain whether Inheritance Tax is payable and if so, advise as to the amount and steps necessary;

•  Obtain the Probate / Letters of administration;

•  Pay all liabilities;

•  Collect and distribute all assets in the estate in accordance with the Will or Intestacy Rules;

•  Advise on the merits of a Deed of Variation (if relevant) and prepare the Deed if required;

•  Prepare Estate Accounts.