Our Charges

For much of the work we undertake here at Roche Legal, we offer a fixed fee. This is where the work is quantifiable from the outset, such as when we are preparing documentation for you, such as a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney.

For work that is not carried out on a fixed fee, we charge an hourly rate, so the total amount you’ll pay will depend on who works on your matter and how long it takes. We provide an estimate of total charges from the outset, as well as regular costs updates, so that you know where you stand.

To receive tailored information about our charges, please book a Discovery Call.

Below is an illustration for how we charge for Probate and the Administration of Estates after someone has died.

Please get in touch for information that is tailored to your individual needs.

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.

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

Our Grant of Probate Only service includes either the preparation of a reduced Inheritance Tax Form (IHT205) 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 services 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.

Fees start from £1,750 plus VAT (£2,100) and expenses.

(2) Cost Illustration for Administration of Estate:

Our Administration of Estate service includes either the preparation of a reduced Inheritance Tax Form (IHT205) 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.

Unlike with our Grant Only service, we will write to all asset holders and debtors to obtain 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, 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 and distributing the estate in accordance with the Will or Intestacy Rules.

Each estate is unique in its assets, beneficiaries, and other aspects. As a guideline, a simple estate (e.g. a house and a couple of bank accounts being left in a Will to two children where there is no animosity) may take around 20 to 30 hours to complete, but where there are complexities of international, business or unusual assets or elements, or many beneficiaries or other complications, it can take much longer. 

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 (£8,400) to £10,500 plus VAT (£12,600) and expenses.

This illustration is for 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

This illustration is not for 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

Key Stages for Administration of Estate are:

  • Information gathering and valuations
  • Preparing and applying for the Grant of Administration
  • Collecting in assets and paying debts
  • Finalising the tax position
  • Finalising and distributing the estate

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

These are always charges payable to third parties to get the work done. We handle the payment of expenses on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

The likely expenses are:

Expense

Cost

Probate application fee

£273 or £0 where the net estate is below £5,000

Additional copies of the Grant

£1.50 each

Sealed and certified copy of the Grant – if assets are held abroad you may need one of these

£1.50 each

HM Land Registry – Office Copies, if required

£3.00 each

Placing s.27 notices

£300 approx.

Bankrupcy Searches

£2 per name

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

Frequently asked questions about our charges

Dealing with legal issues can be confusing and stressful. We understand this, and we’re always on hand to untangle jargon and offer support.

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