Probate & Administration Costs

Legal Fees, Costs & Disbursements

There are many ways of costing the probate or administration of an estate such as: –

  • A fixed fee based on a percentage of the estate;
  • an hourly rate, or;
  • a fixed fee up to a certain fee and thereafter an hourly rate.

We will agree with you at the outset how our charge will be calculated.

We can handle the whole process for you.

We anticipate that this will take between eight and twenty hours. The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter.  For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range.  If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

Type of Estate

Simple Estate:

where there

  • is a valid will:
  • is no more than one property;
  • are no more than 2 bank or building society accounts;
  • are no other intangible assets;
  • are up to 2 beneficiaries;
  • are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs;
  • is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC;
  • are no claims made against the estate.

Likely fees based on time spent and value of estate

From £3,000.00 up to £10,000 plus VAT and disbursements

Type of Estate

Complex Estate:

where one or more of the following apply:

  • there is no valid will:
  • there is more than one property;
  • there are several bank or building society accounts;
  • there are insurance policies, investments, business assets or trusts
  • there are several beneficiaries;
  • disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs;
  • inheritance tax payable and the executors/ we need to submit a full account to HMRC;
  • possible claim against the estate.

Likely fees based on time spent and value of estate

Between £10,000 and £50,000 plus VAT and disbursements

The likely disbursements (costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees.  We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process) the fees are: –

  • Probate application fee is currently £155
  • Bankruptcy only Land Charges search fee £2 per beneficiary
  • £250 (approximately) for legal notices in the London Gazette and a local newspaper – this protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors
  • £4 per copy death certificate – we would normally need at least 6 copies

Potential additional costs

If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £0.50p (1 per asset usually).

Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included – this would be costed separately with more information provided.

Obtaining Probate Only

If you would prefer to carry out some of the work yourself but want the certainty that the  application for the Grant of Probate (or Grant of Letters of Administration) has been professionally dealt with, then we offer a ‘Grant Only Service’.

For simplified estates our fees are £1,800.00 including VAT plus court fees.

For other estates our fees are £5,000 including VAT plus court fees.

How long will it take?

On average, simple estates will typically take three to six months to wind up.  More complex estates can take up to eighteen months.

A number of factors can affect the time it takes to complete the administration, and consequently the cost – the nature and extent of the assets in the estate, the question of liability for Inheritance Tax, and the presence of foreign assets, for example. Only with detailed information can an accurate estimate of costs be given in any particular case.

The hourly rates for the team in the Private Client Department are as follows: –

Partner/Member £280 per hour

Associate Solicitor £245 per hour

Assistant Solicitor £200 per hour

Paralegal £160 per hour