(1) Cost Illustration for Obtaining a Grant of Probate Only:

Our Grant of Probate Only service includes either the application for simpler estates, or the full Inheritance Tax form (IHT400 and schedules) for more complex situations. This also includes the application to the Probate Registry to obtain the Grant. This service requires you to supply the relevant figures and information and we take care of the forms for you to check and sign. We then submit the application on your behalf.

Once obtained, the Grant will be sent to you to deal with the rest of the administration of the estate, including closing or transferring accounts and investments, finalising the tax position, producing estate accounts for the beneficiaries and distributing the estate in accordance with the Will or Intestacy Rules.

The total costs will depend on how straightforward or complicated the matter is. For example, if someone has died leaving only one beneficiary in an undisputed Will and no property, then the costs would be at the lower end of the range because it will be simple.

For a simple estate our costs are usually in the region of £1,750 to £2,500 (plus VAT @20%) plus our onboarding fee and expenses (see below).

For a more complex estate where we need to calculate IHT and complete form IHT 400 and schedules our costs are likely to be in the region of £3,000 to £5,000 (plus VAT @20%) plus our onboarding fee and expenses (see below).

How long will this take?

Generally speaking, ‘simple’ estate matters such as those described above can normally be dealt with within 6 months of receipt of the relevant figures and information.

More complex matters involving submission of the IHT 400 and schedules is likely to be dealt with within 6 to 12 months of receipt of the relevant figures and information.

We cannot influence how long it will take the Probate Registry to provide the Grant.

(2) Cost Illustration for Administration of Estate:

Our Administration of Estate service includes either the application for simpler estates, or the full Inheritance Tax form (IHT400 and schedules) for more complex situations. This also includes the application to the Probate Registry to obtain the Grant.

Where you need us to deal with the full administration of an estate, including obtaining a Grant of Probate, collecting and distributing the assets, our fees are based on our hourly rates.

Our standard hourly rates can be found here.

Key Stages for Administration of Estates are:

Unlike with our Grant Only service, we will:

• write to all asset holders and debtors to obtain the relevant figures and information
• complete the forms for you to check and sign
• submit the application on your behalf

We will then deal with the rest of the administration of the estate, including:

• closing or transferring accounts and investments
• finalising the tax position
• producing estate accounts for the beneficiaries
• distributing the estate in accordance with the Will or Intestacy Rules.

Each estate is unique in its assets, beneficiaries, and other aspects.

An illustration for simpler estates where:

• There is a valid Will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are no more than 3 beneficiaries
• There are no disputes or claims

If a Senior Solicitor works on your matter, the total legal fees for 20 to 30 hours work would be between £7,000 plus VAT to £11,500 plus VAT. In addition there would also be our onboarding fees and other expenses (see the chart below).

An illustration for more complex estates where:

• The person who has died was domiciled abroad or where there are foreign assets
• There is more than one property
• There are business or agricultural properties
• There are intangible assets
• Beneficiaries need to be traced
• There are more than 3 beneficiaries
• Claiming the residence nil rate band or the application to transfer the nil rate band and/or residence nil rate band
• Completion of income tax returns or formalities
• Capital gains tax advice and returns
• Trusts
• There are disputes or claims

Such estates can take much longer. This is likely to include estates where submission of the form IHT 400 and schedules is required.

In this instance if a Senior Solicitor works on your matter, the total legal fees for 40 to 50 hours work would be between £14,000 plus VAT to £17,500 plus VAT and our onboarding charges and expenses (see the chart below).

Our onboarding fee (applicable to both (1) and (2)

An onboarding fee is applicable to all types of matters. This fee covers some of the cost to us, as an authorised and regulated firm, to deal with the legal, compliance, and regulatory aspects of setting you up as a client. It also goes towards the third-party cost of carrying out our due diligence and identification requirements. An onboarding fee will apply to any party to a matter who we need to identify, such as a beneficiary. If additional persons need to be identified during the matter, then this will be charged.

The onboarding fee is £100 plus VAT (£120) per person and £50 plus VAT (£60) for additional persons.

Potential additional costs

We may also charge an additional fee to reflect the complexity and value of a matter. This is usually 2.5% of the gross value of the estate. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.

Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included, nor is any work for creating a Trust.

Other Expenses (applicable to both (1) and (2):

The expenses we incur relate to those payments we have to make to third parties on your behalf. An expense is also known as a disbursement in the legal world. We handle the payment of expenses on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

The likely expenses are:

There may also be other expenses, such as those associated with valuing assets such as property and shares.

How long will this take?

A more simple estate can be concluded and monies distributed to the entitled beneficiaries within 6 to 12 months. This is broken down into the following stages:

• Applying for Grant of Probate: 3 to 4 months
• Notifying asset holders and placing legal notices: 4 to 6 months
• Distributing the assets: 6 to 12 months
• Preparing the estate accounts: 6 to 12 months.

For more complex estates each stage of work as set out above is likely to take longer. It would be more usual in complex matters for the estate to take between 12 to 24 months before the estate can be concluded and monies distributed to the beneficiaries.

Who will be dealing with my matter?

Visit our Meet the Team page for general experience and qualification information.

You’ll be provided with the name(s) of who you’ll be working with, and the name of the person supervising, if you instruct us. If this changes during the course of your matter, we’ll let you know.