Probate: Fees and Work.

Below is a full breakdown of our probate fees split by complexity of the application, and a summary of what each level of complexity includes.

How are our fees calculated?

Our probate fees are based off the complexity of handling an estate, our hourly rates and how easily the relevant documentation is to access. We don’t offer fixed fees on probate, however we will always provide you with an estimate that includes a low and high range. This estimate typically equates to 1 to 4% of the estate value with a minimum fee of £3,000 plus VAT, but can exceed this, depending on the type of assets in the estate, where they are based, the complexity of any liabilities, and any other complicating factors.

Where the work involved falls outside of the guidance set out, additional fees may be incurred at the hourly rate of the solicitor working on your matter. You will always be advised of any additional fees before they are incurred.

Please note that these fees are for our complete probate service, which includes applying for a grant of probate, estate administration and distributing the estate.

What is included in our fee estimates?

Standard inclusions

The following services are included within our complete probate service as standard:

• Initial meeting to talk you through the probate process and what is required
• Locating and verifying the deceased’s will or identifying and notifying beneficiaries in the absence of a will
• Gathering documentation and valuations for the estate
• Preparing estate accounts
• Arranging any notices to creditors and liaising with them thereafter
• Preparing any required inheritance tax forms and documentation
• Preparation of full estate accounts
• Preparing and applying for the Grant of Representation
• Submitting the application for the Grant of Probate and obtaining the grant
• Collating estate assets and ensuring any outstanding liabilities are settled
• Liaising with HMRC and enacting any corrections
• Organising the sale or transfer of any domestic or international assets in the estate
• Updating insurers on the status of any properties of the estate
• Locating beneficiaries and holding the estate on trust for any uncontactable beneficiaries
• Fulfilling required checks and searches on beneficiaries prior to distribution
• Assisting with distribution of the estate
• Settling any applicable inheritance and other taxes

Extra inclusions

These extra services are not included in our standard probate service, but can be added if needed or if applicable at an increase to the initial estimate:

• Registering the death and arranging the funeral
• Taking details of any lifetime gifts made by the deceased
• Finalising or instructing an accountant to finalise the deceased’s personal tax affairs
• Liaising with other professionals such as tax and financial advisers
• Paying any relevant Capital Gains Tax
• Claiming any Transferable Nil Rate Rand, Residence Nil Rate Band, downsizing addition, loss reliefs and other exemptions
• Claiming exemptions and reliefs such as the charity exemption or spousal exemption
• Setting up or winding up any trusts created in the will

Complicating factors

These are items that may lead to a higher initial estimate for your probate application, or, if discovered after we have provided an initial quote, incur fees exceeding the initial quote:

• A broad variety and volume of assets and asset types, particularly where financial records have not been maintained
• High numbers of beneficiaries or beneficiaries that are difficult to trace
• Overseas assets and property
• Where the deceased was domiciled
• Complicated provisions in the deceased’s will
• Estates that are subject to Agricultural and/or Business Property Relief

What is excluded from our fee estimates?

Disbursements

The fees below are incurred through estate administration and payable to third parties from the estate. They include:

• A probate application fee of £300 (no VAT, payable to the government)
• Additional copies of the grant of probate, charged at £1.50 each (no VAT)
• Notices to creditors placed in the London Gazette and local newspapers, typically charged at between £100 to £200 excluding VAT
• Financial asset search costs starting from £165 plus VAT
• Domestic bankruptcy searches charged at £11 to £14 plus VAT
• Insurance on assets
• Early Distribution Insurance if needed and suitable
• Asset valuation fees
• Estate agency and conveyancing fees for any property sales
• Stockbroking or registrar fees for the sale or transfer of stocks, shares and investments

Other items

The following items are highly dependent on the estate and the actions of third parties. These fees are not covered by our probate service, but can sometimes affect the estimate. Where our firm is able to act for the estate, these items will be quoted for separately and treated as separate legal matters:

• Challenges to the estate or to the validity of the will
• Eviction for any tenanted properties sold with vacant possession
• Winding down and insolvency fees
• Creating deeds of variation

Key stages of work for probate.

The standard key stages of our probate service are:

1. Registering the death and obtaining the death certificate
2. Locating the will
3. Obtaining an estate valuation
4. Submission of any Inheritance Tax forms
5. Submitting the application for the Grant of Probate
6. Gathering of the estate assets
7. Settling of any debts and other estate liabilities
8. Preparation of the estate accounts
9. Distribution of the estate

How long does probate take?

Probate is broadly split into two phases: obtaining the Grant of Probate and the estate administration that follows.

Obtaining the Grant of Probate typically takes between 3 to 12 months, depending on how easily accessible the assets and their valuations are.

Estate administration can then take a further 3 to 18 months. If the estate contains a property to be sold or a tenanted property that requires vacant possession, these timescales can increase, depending on the property market and any buyers’ actions.

Only when both these stages are complete can the estate be distributed.

Together, obtaining the Grant of Probate and estate administration take around 6 to 30 months, but most probate matters will take closer to 18 to 24 months to complete.

For estates containing overseas property, please expect an additional 6 months or more to be added on to the estate administration stage, with an average total probate length of 30 months.

Probate Fees.

Service	Fee (excl. VAT)	Service Description
DIY Grant of Probate review	£750	A 2-hour meeting to sit down with a private client solicitor. Includes a of review your application forms, inheritance tax forms and answers to any questions regarding supporting documents you may need. Suitable for all estates
Full estate administration (simple estates)	£3,000 – £12,000 plus disbursements, averaging 1 to 4% of the total estate value	Suitable for estates valued at below the nil-rate band threshold (less than £325,000 or up to £650,000 for estates with a transferable nil rate band).
Full estate administration (complex estates)	£6,000 – £50,000 plus disbursements, averaging 1 to 4% of the total estate value	Suitable for estates valued at above the nil-rate band threshold (over £325,000 for individuals or over £650,000 for estates with a transferable nil rate band).