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Probate (Uncontested with all assets in the UK)

The figures below are intended to give you an estimate of the fees you should expect when administrating an estate.

In order to understand what fees you will pay you will need to know “how to value the estate”

The ‘Estate Value’ specified in the tables below will be the gross estate at the date of death.

For the purposes of the calculation, the ‘gross estate’ is the gross estate in the UK passing by Will or the Intestacy Rules. The calculation does not include the value of any assets held in joint names that pass by survivorship for example the family home, or the value of any assets held overseas.

We use the figures included in the inheritance tax return. We will let you have details when the valuations have been ascertained.

If the estate is valued at less than £325,000, you can expect to pay the following fixed price. Please note the exclusions in this price.

ESTATE VALUE OUR PRICES
£0 – £200,000 Fixed fee – £3,950 (Excluding VAT)
£200,001 – £325,000 Fixed fee – £4,750 (Excluding VAT)

For the administration of an estate that is valued more than £325,000 we charge on a cumulative basis.

For example – if your estate value exceeds a band, you will incur the charge of each band. (If you have a £3m estate, your fee will be £22,500. (1.5% on the first 1.5m) plus £18,750 (1.375% on the next £1.5m). Total £41,250)

ESTATE VALUE £ OUR COSTS (FIXED PRICE %)
£325,000 – £1.5m 1.50%
£1.5m – £3m 1.25%
£3m – £6m 1.00%
£6m – £9m 0.75%
£9m and above 0.5%

What is not included in the prices:

Should any work outside the scope of the ‘Full administration service’ be required, a charge will be made by reference to an hourly rate between £120 to £300 per hour (Excluding VAT). The rate you will pay depends on the seniority and expertise of the Solicitor that is helping you. For an accurate figure, please do not hesitate to contact us so we can advise further.

  • Registering the death
  • Arranging the funeral
  • The administration of any assets situated outside of England and Wales.
  • Work arising from gifts or other transfers e.g. into Trust made by the deceased during lifetime.
  • The administration of an estate that is insolvent, i.e. where there are not enough assets in the estate to pay all the debts and liabilities of the estate
  • Visiting a property to satisfy property insurance conditions or at the request of the executor.
  • Work involved in finding missing beneficiaries or executors.
  • Dealing with any disputes in connection with the estate. Examples of this are a claim against the estate by a creditor, a claim against the estate by an individual who believes adequate provision has not been made for them, a challenge to the validity of the Will by any party, any dispute arising between the executors, administrators, trustees or beneficiaries of the Will, any request for information made by, or claim brought by, the Department for Work & Pensions, any claim brought by HM Revenue & Customs.
  • Conveyancing which includes dealing with the sale or transfer of any property or properties in the estate.
  • Preparation and submission of income tax returns and any work obtaining information.
  • Work that does not relate to the administration of the estate, but is work on behalf of another party. Examples of this are administration of any trust created under the Will or the administration or winding up of any lifetime trusts or Will trusts by which the deceased was a trustee, beneficiary or potential beneficiary.
  • Registering a trust or estate on the HMRC trust resignation service – There may be occasions when the full administration of the estate is likely to be unusually time-consuming for example where there are a large number of legacies or beneficiaries, farming or business interests or unusual assets. In this case, the fixed prices may not be appropriate and an alternative charging structure would be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity.
  • Work involving a business or company that is properly chargeable to that business or company.
  • Work carried out to rectify or vary a Will or the intestacy rules for the purposes of obtaining a Grant of Representation, providing tax advantages or altering beneficial entitlement.

Ensuring Fairness

There may be occasions when the full administration of the estate is likely to be unusually time-consuming for example where there are a large number of legacies or beneficiaries, farming or business interests or unusual assets. In this case, the fixed prices may not be appropriate and an alternative charging structure would be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity.

We also offer a more limited service, where you only require assistance with application for a Grant of Representation, as follows:

All prices exclude VAT 

LIMITED SERVICE FIXED PRICE Timescale
Obtaining a Grant of Representation only
(To include completing the oath and HMRC ‘short’ (IHT 205) tax form (if required) using complete information supplied by you)		 £995 On average, applications for a grant of probate only in a simple estate are dealt with within 2-3 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate once an application has been submitted takes 2-3 weeks.
Obtaining a Grant of Representation only

(To include completing the probate application and HMRC ‘short’ (IHT 205) tax form (if required and claiming transferable nil rate band using complete information supplied by you)      

 £1,250 On average, applications for a grant of probate only in a simple estate are dealt with within 2-3 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate once an application has been submitted takes 2-3 weeks.
Obtaining a Grant of Representation only 

(To include completing the probate application and HMRC ‘long’ (IHT 400) tax form using complete information supplied by you)

 £2,750 On average, applications for a grant of probate only in a complex estate are dealt with within 3-6 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate once an application has been submitted takes 2-3 weeks.
Obtaining a Grant of Representation only  

(To include completing the probate application and HMRC ‘long’ (IHT 400) tax form and claiming transferable nil rate band and/or residence nil rate band and/or transferable residence nil rate using complete information supplied by you). This service includes the option of a meeting of up to one hour post the issuing of the grant was a spectator or beneficiary to consider planning the next steps.

 £3,950 On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 12-18 months. Straightforward estates may even be dealt with within 9-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 2-3 weeks.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY SEVERE DELAYS AT THE PROBATE REGISTRY NATIONWIDE. APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY TAKING 2-3 MONTHS TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS.

Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 4-6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can finalise the income/capital gains tax position during the period of administration. This can sometimes take quite some time, as we are reliant upon HMRC considering the matter. Once all tax matters have been finalised we can distribute the assets, which will normally take 2-3 weeks. In cases where the sale of a property is involved, the winding up of the estate is dependent on the sale of that property.

Please note our Limited Service is execution only using complete information supplied by you. Should any work outside the scope of the service be required a charge will be made by reference to an hourly rate details of which will be supplied by the person helping you.

Disbursements (Costs of third parties such as court fees)

  • Probate court fees – £273
  • Court sealed additional copy of the grant – £1.50
  • Electronic ID verification – £15 per person plus VAT
  • Trustee Act notice (if required) – £200 – £250 plus VAT
  • Asset search fee (if required) in the order of £200
  • Land charges second fee – £2 per name

Timescales

It is not unusual for estate administration to take up to a year to conclude. An estate where inheritance tax is an issue or there are other complications can take much longer.

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