Probate and Estate Administration Costs (Uncontested with all assets in the UK)
Our costs and timescales are dependent upon the complexity of the matter and size of the estate, but in most cases, we are able to provide you with a fixed fee for the work to be carried out, before we proceed.
If we are unable to offer with a fixed fee, we will provide you with our hourly rates together with an estimate of the time it will take to complete the matter.
All our fixed fee costs are plus VAT and disbursements.
Disbursement are costs incurred during the process of the matter, which we pay on your behalf to third parties i.e. Court fees and Land Registry Fees.
The below estimates are for guidance purposes only as each estate varies.
Solely Obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
In most cases when you provide valuations and relevant information to us, to enable us to solely obtain the Grant of Probate, we will charge a fixed fee.
| Our fees start at £700 plus VAT and disbursements. |
| The average fee is £900 plus VAT and disbursements for an estate which will not pay Inheritance Tax and will not require a transferable nil rate band application, residence nil rate band application or a full Inland Revenue account (IHT 400). |
| If the estate is liable to pay Inheritance Tax or a full Inland Revenue account (IHT 400) is required our fees start at £1350 plus VAT and disbursements. |
| The average fee is £1750 plus VAT and disbursements, but in order to provide a fixed fee or estimate we will require further information about the estate. |
Once the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration are obtained this is forwarded to the Executors to enable them to administer the estate.
Full Estate Administration
Again, in most cases we are able to provide a fixed fee, subject to the circumstances of each case.
| Estates with a gross value under £200,000 - our fees range from £1250 to £2000 plus VAT and disbursements depending on the complexity of the estate. |
| Estates with a gross value between £200,000 and £1,000,000 – our fees are normally 1% of the gross value of the estate plus VAT and disbursements. |
| Estates with a gross value over £1 million – our fees are normally 1.5% of the gross value of the estate plus VAT and disbursements. |
Disbursements
These include but are not limited to:
| Probate fee | £273 plus additional copies of the Grant £1.50 each |
| Bankruptcy searches | £2 for each beneficiary if based in the UK |
| Statutory advertisements | Approximately £200 plus VAT |
| Land Registry Fees | From £3 but dependent on the Estate |
| Electronic Identity Search Fees | £18 plus VAT of £3.60 per person (if based in UK) |
Please note that dealing with the sale of any property which forms part of the estate or drafting deeds of variation is not included in the costs.
The average hourly charging rate for team members is: £220 plus VAT per hour.
Full details of individual’s charge out rates are included in the client care pack that is sent to you following instruction.
We can either act to obtain the grant of probate and letters of administration or we can act in the administration of the entire estate.
Timescales
Obtaining the Grant of Probate will usually take between 8-12 weeks once all information has been received to enable the application to be prepared.
Estate administration can take between 3-18 months depending on the complexity of the estate.