Probate Cost Guidelines

Probate and Administration of Estates

Price/Cost Guidelines

In this section you will find information on price, payments required to third parties, VAT, complicating/complex factors likely to influence price, time scales for the completion of work and the experience and qualifications of the members of our team who will carry out your work.

Probate

To prepare and submit a standard Application for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration for a non-taxable UK Estate (without completing Form IHT205) (whether or not there is a valid Will) without going on to administer the Estate:

£650.00 plus VAT plus payments to third parties (which are called “disbursements”) as follows:

Probate application fee: £155.00
Additional copies of the Grant: £1.50

The above disbursements do not attract VAT.

To prepare and submit a standard Application for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration for a taxable UK Estate (with completion of Form IHT205) (Whether or not there is a valid Will) without going on to administer the Estate:

£1,500.00 plus VAT plus the following disbursements:

Probate application fee: £155.00
Additional copies of the Grant: £1.50

Obtaining Probate/Letters of Administration with full Administration of the Estate:

Standard: Minimum fee of £2,500 plus VAT plus disbursements

(For a non-taxable UK Estate)

Intermediate: Minimum fee of £3,250 – £4,500 plus VAT plus disbursements

(For a taxable UK Estate)

These prices are estimates and are based on a solicitor charging rate of £215.00 per hour plus VAT and are likely to be influenced by the number of assets and/or beneficiaries.

Probate with partial Administration of the Estate:

Our fees for applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration with partial administration of the Estate are based on a solicitor charging rate of £215.00 per hour plus VAT plus disbursements and are subject to Client requirements. Under this category of work our fees are usually within the range of £1,500.00 – £3,000.00 plus VAT plus disbursements and are likely to be influenced by whether or not the Estate is taxable, the number of assets and/or beneficiaries.

The following disbursements may apply, subject to the requirements of the particular Estate (these disbursements do not attract VAT unless stated):

Probate application fee: £155.00
Additional copies of the Grant: £1.50
Land Registry search fee: £3.00
Bankruptcy search fee: £2.00 per beneficiary
Section 27 Trustee Act Notices to Creditors with an estimated cost of £73.20/£99.90 plus VAT in the London Gazette and between £150.00 – £200.00 plus VAT in a local newspaper– as a means of protecting against claims against the Estate.
Valuation fees for property, chattels, stocks and shares (likely to be a minimum charge of £300.00 plus VAT, and rising dependant on the item to be valued.)
Estate Agents fees, if selling an Estate property. (Fees will depend on the value of the property, will attract VAT)
Conveyancing fees, if selling or transferring an Estate property, including Land Registry Fees. (Fees will depend on the value of the property, will attract VAT)
Stockbroker/Registrar fees, if selling or transferring shares and/or investments. (Stockbroker fees will attract VAT and fee will depend on value sold etc.)
Any insurance costs required. (Will attract VAT)
Accountancy fees to finalise tax to the date of death. (Will attract VAT)

List of complicating/complex factors not included in the price above.

Any one or more of the following complicating/complex factors will involve additional work which will be charged at a solicitor charging rate of £215.00 per hour plus VAT plus any disbursements which may arise:

Complex provisions in the Will

An unusually large number of assets or beneficiaries

Claims against the Estate

Where the estate value exceeds £325,000.00

Dispute against the validity of the Will

Dealing with any disputes or claims between the parties or disputes relating to the estate, debts, or tax

Dealing with any Transferable Nil Rate Band from a late spouse

Dealing with any Transferable Residential Nil Rate Band from a late spouse

Advising on any formal variation of the Will or Intestacy

DWP Recovery from estate claims

Dealing with or advising upon any Trusts

Arranging indemnity for missing documents

Time scales

Preparation and application for Grant of Probate/ Letters of Administration for a non-taxable Estate – 2-3 months

Preparation and application for Grant of Probate/ Letters of Administration for a taxable Estate – 3-5 months

Preparation and application for a Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration and full administration of the Estate – 6-12 months

In the event of complicating/complex factors administration may exceed 12 months.

Administration of the Estate involves taking detailed instructions, obtaining and considering information and documents regarding the assets and liabilities of the Estate, considering the provisions of the Will or the requirements under the Intestacy Rules, preparing and submitting Grant application, collection of assets, payment of liabilities, preparing an Estate Account and distribution.

Experience and Qualifications

Our Probate team head of department is Dawn Major, Solicitor who has over 20 years’ experience of dealing with Probate, the complete Administration of Estates, Wills & Trusts and has particular expertise in dealing with high value estates, inheritance tax and resolving estate disputes.

Dawn will carry out your work with assistance from Neil Oliver, Solicitor and Partner who has over 30 years’ experience of advising upon Probate, the complete Administration of Estates, Wills & Trusts.

Free Consultation
No Obligation

Arthur Jackson & Co Solicitors will only use your information for the purposes of your enquiry.