If you have been appointed as an Executor or a close relative has died and you are the next of kin, dealing with someone’s Estate can be a daunting task.
Probate is the process of dealing with the Estate of someone who has died, which generally means gathering in all of their assets, settling debts, paying any taxes due and then distributing what is left in accordance with their Will. If the deceased person did not make a Will the Rules of Intestacy will apply and determine who is entitled to the Estate.
Probate is usually carried out by the person(s) appointed as Executor(s) in the Will or, if there is no Will, the deceased’s next of kin. If the deceased has left a Will the Executors appointed under the Will are able to administer the Estate and their authority is ratified by Court Order known as Grant of Probate. If the deceased died intestate (without a Will) then, before administration of the Estate can begin, a Court Order must be obtained which is known as Letters of Administration.
Probate
Price for obtaining Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration, collecting and distributing the assets of the Estate: average cost (estimate for a standard case):
£3,000 plus VAT of £600 (Total £3,600) and disbursements *
* Disbursements (costs related to your matter payable to third parties):
Court Fee – £300 (For estates over £5000) plus £1.50 for each copy of the Grant.
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department Searches £6 per beneficiary as applicable. In some cases notices may have to be placed in the London Gazette and a local newspaper which typically costs £250 plus VAT of £50 (Total £300).
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Price based upon an Estate including:
- A valid simple Will
- One property only
- Up to five bank or building society accounts
- Up to four beneficiaries.
The price does not include Estates which involve any of the factors listed below, which will give rise to additional charges:
- The Estate of the deceased includes any shareholdings (stocks and bonds)
- The Estate is disputed in any way, for example, the validity of the will is challenged
- Advice on Inheritance Tax (a tax on the property, money and possessions of someone who has died) is required
- There are any claims against the Estate
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property
- Tax planning for beneficiaries
- Value of the estate exceeds £325,000
- Estates including foreign assets
Our team
** Our probate law specialists have years of experience of delivering high quality work within probate law. Regardless of the complexity or simplicity of your case, our specialists will work to the highest standard, with all work overseen by a partner in our Probate Department.
Our charges are based mainly on an hourly rate. The above price is based on the hourly charge out rates and the time we expect a standard case to take:
- Partner / Senior Associate – £300 plus VAT of £60 (Total £360)
- Associate – £275 plus VAT of £55 (Total £330
- Solicitor – £230 plus VAT of £46 (Total £276)
- Legal Executive – £200 plus VAT of £40 (Total £240)
Application for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration only – IHT205 (non-taxable estate)
Price for applying for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration only when there is no Inheritance Tax to pay and the Estate is simple:
£650 plus VAT of £130 (Total £780) and disbursements *
* Disbursements (costs related to your matter payable to third parties):
Court Fee – £300 (For estates over £5000) plus £1.50 for each copy of the Grant.
* The price includes the completion of Form IHT205 if required.
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The price includes completion of Form IHT205, which is the form sent to the Probate Registry with the application for Probate when there is no Inheritance Tax (tax payable on the property, money and possession of someone who has died) and the Estate is simple. The price does not include tax planning for beneficiaries.
Our team
** Our probate law specialists have years of experience of delivering high quality work within probate law. Regardless of the complexity or simplicity of your case, our specialists will work to the highest standard, with all work overseen by a partner in our Probate Department.
Our charges are based mainly on an hourly rate. The above price is based on the hourly charge out rates and the time we expect a standard case to take:
- Partner / Senior Associate – £300 plus VAT of £60 (Total £360)
- Associate – £275 plus VAT of £55 (Total £330
- Solicitor – £230 plus VAT of £46 (Total £276)
- Legal Executive – £200 plus VAT of £40 (Total £240)
Application for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration only – IHT400
Price for applying for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration only when the Estate has to pay Inheritance Tax or the Estate is complicated: average price (estimate for a standard case):
From £1,500 plus VAT of £300 (Total £1800) to £2,000 plus VAT of £400 (Total £2400) and disbursements *
* Disbursements (costs related to your matter payable to third parties):
Court Fee – £300 (For estates over £5000) plus £1.50 for each copy of the Grant.
View more details
The price includes completion of Form IHT400 which is the form sent to the HMRC when the Estate has to pay Inheritance Tax or the Estate is complicated.
The price does not include tax planning for beneficiaries.
Our team
** Our probate law specialists have years of experience of delivering high quality work within probate law. Regardless of the complexity or simplicity of your case, our specialists will work to the highest standard, with all work overseen by a partner in our Probate Department.
Our charges are based mainly on an hourly rate. The above price is based on the hourly charge out rates and the time we expect a standard case to take:
- Partner / Senior Associate – £300 plus VAT of £60 (Total £360)
- Associate – £275 plus VAT of £55 (Total £330
- Solicitor – £230 plus VAT of £46 (Total £276)
- Legal Executive – £200 plus VAT of £40 (Total £240)