Probate Pricing

Our fees for advising in a probate matter vary depending on the individual circumstances involved, for example whether Inheritance tax is payable and the number of estate assets to administer,

We operate on an hourly rate basis whereby you will be charged for each hour of work undertaken. Our hourly rates range between £250 plus VAT to £375 plus VAT. The experience of the fee earner required will be dependent on the complexity of the matter.

For a relatively straight forward estate, we estimate at least 10 hours being required to apply for the Grant of Probate and then collect in and distribute. This equates to a minimum total fee estimate of £2,500 plus 20% VAT to £3,750 plus 20% VAT.  The fewer the assets and beneficiaries the nearer the lower end of the range the costs are likely to be.

This fee will increase in line with the complexity of the estate; and examples of aspects that make an estate ‘complex’ include:

1. Significant assets across varied platforms (i.e. multiple banks, investment providers/managers, and share registrars);
2. Estates including multiple properties, a commercial property, a property with any title issues, or a property which has to be sold but there is currently someone occupying; 
3. Estates where Inheritance Tax is payable and full Inheritance Tax Account needs to be submitted to HMRC;
4. Estates which are asset rich and cash poor and an Inheritance Tax loan, or a Grant on Credit application is required; 
5. Multiple beneficiaries, 
6. Any disputes or challenges in relation to the Will or the administration of the estate in general, and 
7. Foreign assets and having to liaise with lawyer from other jurisdictions.

Our fees for estates that include some of the above characteristics, range from £10,000 to £15,000 plus 20% VAT.

For a complex estate involving many (majority) of the above, our fees can range from £20,000 to £30,000 plus 20% VAT and the administration will take longer depending on the specific circumstances.

If it appears at any point that additional work which was not originally anticipated is likely to be necessary, we will confirm this in writing and provide an updated fee estimate before starting any work. 

To ensure complete transparency in relation to our fees, an estimate can be provided as soon as the details of the estate are known and a full breakdown of all time charged to the estate is provided when we raise an invoice. 

In addition to legal fees, disbursements (expenses) will also be payable by the estate. These will include (and are not limited to):

1. An Anti-Money Laundering compliance fee per executor – £9.40 per person
2. The probate application fee – £300 plus £16.00 per copy required
3. Land Registry copy document (e.g. the property title or plan) – £7.00
4. Trustee Act Notices to protect the estate from claims from creditors – Approximately £300 plus VAT
5. Bankruptcy searches fees when distributing to beneficiaries – £6 per person if based in the UK and approximately £70 to £120 plus VAT for non-UK based beneficiaries 
6. Valuation fees – Starting at £300 plus VAT for reports such as contents valuations, increasing to £500 plus VAT and above for surveyor’s reports

The fees involved in a probate matter can vary and this will depend on the individual circumstances involved.

We operate an hourly rate charging rate, whereby you will be charged for each hour of work undertaken.

Our legal fees will range between £210 and £325 plus VAT per hour and disbursements. The fees will vary and are dependent upon individual circumstances and the level of the fee earner dealing with the file.

The range of fees will depend on issues such as whether a full inheritance tax return is required, the number of beneficiaries and the extent of the estate including whether the estate comprises any property, the number of bank accounts, shareholdings and life policies.

The total fees can range from £2,500 plus VAT for a relatively straightforward estate to £30,000 plus VAT for a complex estate.