We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf. We will also undertake the collecting and distributing of assets.

How much does this service cost?

As at January 2025

For a simple estate we will provide an estimate.

For example, an estate worth £200,000 with no more than 2 executors and no more than 2 beneficiaries where there is no Inheritance Tax to pay and a Grant of Probate is required, including obtaining the Grant, collecting assets and distributing them we estimate that we would charge the following fees:

Our costs  – £3,600 (£3,000 + £600 VAT)

As part of our fee we will:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Obtain the Probate
• Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

The costs quoted do not include the conveyancing costs for selling or transferring a property, dealing with a challenge from the DWP regarding entitlement to state benefits received during the deceased’s lifetime, a challenge on the estate from a disappointed beneficiary or disputes between the beneficiaries.

In general, there 4 key stages in the administration of all estates:

1. Gathering information
2. Using the information to calculate and pay any Inheritance Tax, then apply for the Grant of Probate
3. Gathering in assets and paying legacies and liabilities.
4. Finalisation of the administration which can include paying the estate’s income tax and/or capital gains tax, producing Estate Accounts and making the final distributions

On average, simple estates can be concluded within 6 – 12 months.  Typically, obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 12 – 16 weeks.  Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 3 – 6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 4 – 8 weeks.

Complex Estates

For more complex estates – see below for factors that might make an estate complex – it can be difficult to give fixed fees, so we charge on an hourly rate as follows:

£430 + £86 VAT per hour (total £516 per hour)

£475 + £95 VAT per hour (total £570 per hour) if one of our solicitors is an Executor

£475 + £95 VAT per hour (total £570 per hour) if a discretionary trust is created in the Will.

These rates are reviewed annually in January, usually in line with inflation.

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

• Probate application fee £300 plus £1.50 per additional copy.
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches – £7.20 (£6 + £1.20 VAT) per beneficiary.
• Advert in The London Gazette (£129.60 estimate) and local newspaper (cost varies) (if appropriate).  This protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
• ID/Anti Money Laundering Check fee – £30 (£25 + £5 VAT) per person.

Additional fees in certain circumstances

The following factors can make an estate complex.  This is not an exhaustive list:

• Inheritance Tax is payable
• A full Inheritance Tax Account (IHT400) is required
• More than 2 executors
• More than 2 beneficiaries
• Foreign assets
• Lost share certificates
• More than 1 property
• Business assets
• Agricultural land
• More than 2 certificated shareholdings
• A trust within the Will
• Assets held under Trust or in a pension
• Intestacy
• Missing beneficiaries
• Trust under a predeceased spouse’s Will
• Trust that aggregates with the estate for tax purposes
• Lifetime gifts
• A claim or threat of a claim from a disappointed beneficiary
• A Solicitor acts as an executor
• We are responsible for clearing the house
• The extent or nature of assets in the estate are difficult to ascertain
• More than 2 meetings are required
• A large number of communications from any beneficiary or executor

Costs information is general and we will give more precise and personalised information in individual matters.

It is the official document to say who has died and who the Executors are in accordance with the Will.

They are the person or people named in the Will with the responsibility of winding up the estate and distributing the assets.

They are the same as a Grant of Probate, but for situations where there is no Will, or no Executors (for example, when the named Executor has died or does not wish to act).

The fee is £273* and you will need office copies which are £1.50 each.

(*as at April 2022)

If the estate is over the relevant Inheritance Tax threshold, then there will be inheritance tax (IHT) to pay and a detailed Inland Revenue Account will need to be completed.

The Solicitor will prepare detailed estate account showing all sums of money received and paid out.   The accounts will be approved by the executors and then a distribution will be made to all the beneficiaries