probate
range of costs
Your eligibility
We charge for all of our estate administration services on time spent at the hourly rates of the team members involved. We do not charge fixed percentages of the estate. This means is that we can tailor our services specifically to the service you require, and you only pay for the work which is actually carried out on your behalf. We use the same pricing model whether the executors are individuals or partners of this firm.
When an individual makes a Will, executors are appointed to administer their estate and ensure the estate passes to the beneficiaries of the Will. This is often an onerous process and many executors choose to use the services of professionals to assist them in meeting their obligations. Individuals often choose professionals to act as executors if they believe the task would be too much for their family to deal with.
Our fees are calculated based on a time spent basis. Unlike some other firms who charge a fixed percentage which includes an ‘uplifted amount’ known as the value element, we charge on a time basis at the hourly rates agreed with you at the beginning of the matter or we will agree a fixed fee for the tranches or stages of work in advance of your instruction.
You will only pay for the work which is actually done on your behalf or on behalf of the estate.
Our hourly rates for the members of the Private Client team are as follows:
Our hourly rates for members of the Private Client team are as follows (all figures include VAT at 20%):
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Head of Department – £390 (£325 + £65 VAT)
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Senior Solicitor – £360 (£300 + £60 VAT)
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Solicitor (under 5 years PQE) – £300 (£250 + £50 VAT)
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Senior Paralegal / Legal Executive / Trainee Solicitor – £210 (£175 + £35 VAT)
Our rates are reviewed annually, and any changes will be communicated to clients in advance. All fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate, currently 20%.
To provide a cost- and time-efficient service, the majority of routine estate administration work is carried out by paralegals and junior solicitors under the supervision of senior colleagues. Several team members are affiliate members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and/or Solicitors for the Elderly.
The key stages of the work involved in administering an estate are as follows:
The key stages of the work involved in administering an estate are as follows:
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
Valuing the assets and liabilities in the estate
Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
Completion of the relevant HMRC inheritance and income tax forms and payment of tax
Completion of the Probate Registry forms, affidavits and statements necessary to apply for a Grant of Representation
Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
Obtaining the Grant of Representation
Collecting in the assets of the estate
Settling any debts and liabilities of the estate
Preparation of estate accounts; and Distribution of the assets thereafter
The average timescales vary depending on the complexity of the application but a typical and straightforward estate will take 3-6 months to obtain the Grant of Representation, collecting and distributing the assets will usually take a further 3-6 months.
We anticipate that the usual timescale is normally 6 to 12 months but there are a number of factors which affect both overall cost and timescale for the administration of the estate. Delays can arise if the will is lost or needs to be located, intestacy (death without a will) can further complicate matters, the size of the estate ie whether or not inheritance tax is payable and the nature and number of assets comprised in the estate can also have an impact.
Sometimes beneficiaries are not easy to trace and if there is a property in the estate the sale of this property can pose difficulties. It is therefore difficult for us to give an accurate estimate of the costs involved and the timescale without an initial face to face or telephone meeting where we can take more detailed information from you.
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end. We will handle the full process for you.
This quote is for estates where:
There is a valid will
There is no more than one property
There are no more than 5 bank or building society accounts
There are no other intangible assets
There are a maximum of 4 beneficiaries
There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets
If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs and we cannot provide an estimate for litigious or contested estates
There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
There are no claims made against the estate
For very simple UK estates (with a valid Will, fewer than five beneficiaries, assets under £150,000, one residential property, and fewer than five bank accounts), we estimate our work will take 10 to 15 hours, with costs in the region of £3,600 – £6,000 (including VAT at 20%), plus disbursements.
For a simple UK estate valued between £150,000 and £1 million (no inheritance tax liability, few beneficiaries, and a small number of UK assets including one residential property), we would anticipate costs of approximately £6,000 – £12,000 (including VAT), plus disbursements.
We are able to offer a fixed fee for estates of this nature. Based on the two scenarios above, our fixed fee would be £2,100 (£1,750 + £350 VAT), plus the Probate Registry fee (detailed in the disbursements section below).
For complex estates involving inheritance tax liability, business assets, values exceeding £325,000, multiple properties or asset types, and several legacies—possibly requiring claims for tax reliefs and additional reporting—we usually estimate fees from £12,000 to £54,000 (including VAT), plus disbursements.
For highly complex estates, such as those with foreign assets or beneficiaries, or involving a non-domiciled individual, fees typically begin at £24,000 and may rise to £90,000 (including VAT), plus disbursements.
There are a number of issues or additional pieces of work which can arise during or out of estate administration which will incur additional costs and mean the timescale for completion will be affected.
If any of these points arise during the course of the matter, we will contact you and agree a costs estimate and give a likely timescale to deal with the issues.
Typical issue (but not limited to)
Missing beneficiaries
Missing assets
Problems with overseas assets
Valuing the assets and liabilities in the estate
Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
Completion of the relevant HMRC inheritance and income tax forms and payment of tax
Completion of the Probate Registry forms, affidavits and statements necessary to apply for a Grant of Representation
Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
Obtaining the Grant of Representation
Collecting in the assets of the estate
Settling any debts and liabilities of the estate
Preparation of estate accounts; and Distribution of the assets thereafter
Disbursements included – these 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.
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Probate Registry application fee – £273 (no VAT)
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Land Registry fees for obtaining property title copies:
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£6.00 for the Title Register (no VAT)
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£2.00 for the Title Plan (no VAT)
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Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches – £2.00 per beneficiary (no VAT)
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Section 27 Trustee Act Notice (London Gazette) – £150 (£125 + £25 VAT)
Helps protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors. -
Section 27 Trustee Act Notice (Local Newspaper) – approximately £120 (£100 + £20 VAT)
Also helps protect the estate from unknown claims.
Additional costs for ID verification are as follows:
Anti-Money Laundering and ID verification checks – £12 (£10 + £2 VAT) per name
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contact us today!
Whether you’re looking for a family
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If you’d like to book an appointment
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one of our solicitors, please fill in the
your details and we’ll get right back
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We look forward to learning
how we can help you!
we’re here to
help you
contact us today!
Whether you’re looking for a family law solicitor or help with media law – we’ll help answer your questions. If you’d like to book an appointment one of our solicitors, please fill in the your details and we’ll get right back to you.
We look forward to learning how we can help you!
we’re here to
help you
contact us today!
Whether you’re looking for a family
law solicitor or help with media law
– we’ll help answer your questions.
If you’d like to book an appointment
to or would simply like to speak to
one of our solicitors, please fill in the
your details and we’ll get right back
to you.
We look forward to learning
how we can help you!
