Probate Fees and Service Information

This page sets out information about our fees, the work included in our probate and estate administration service, likely timescales, and the people who may work on your matter.

We understand that dealing with an estate can feel overwhelming, particularly at a time of bereavement. We aim to provide clear, practical advice from the outset so that you understand what needs to be done, what it is likely to cost, and how long the process may take.

Our probate fees

Every estate is different. The cost of dealing with probate will depend on the size and complexity of the estate, the number and type of assets, whether inheritance tax is payable, whether there is a property to sell or transfer, and whether any issues arise between family members or beneficiaries.

Where possible, we will give you a clear estimate of our fees at the start of the matter. If the position changes as the matter progresses, we will let you know as soon as possible and provide an updated estimate.

Our probate work is usually charged on the basis of the time spent dealing with your matter. This includes time spent in meetings, telephone calls, correspondence, reviewing documents, preparing probate and inheritance tax forms, dealing with banks and other asset holders, liaising with HMRC and the Probate Registry, preparing estate accounts and dealing with beneficiaries.

Our hourly rates are:

Solicitor: £280 plus VAT per hour
Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal: £150 plus VAT per hour

VAT is currently charged at 20%.

For a standard uncontested probate matter, our fees are usually estimated to be between £2,500 plus VAT and £5,000 plus VAT. This means VAT of between £500 and £1,000, giving a total estimated fee of between £3,000 and £6,000 including VAT.

This estimate does not include disbursements, which are third-party costs payable in addition to our fees.

Standard uncontested probate matters

A standard uncontested probate matter is usually one where:

there is a valid Will;
there is no dispute between executors, administrators or beneficiaries;
there are no claims being made against the estate;
there is no inheritance tax payable;
there is no requirement to submit a full inheritance tax account to HMRC;
there is no more than one property;
there are no business assets;
there are no foreign assets;
there are no complex investments or unusual assets;
there are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts;
there are no more than 5 beneficiaries;
all beneficiaries can be easily identified and located;
there are no trusts arising under the Will; and
the deceased was not bankrupt or subject to an IVA.

If your matter falls outside the above, we will provide a tailored estimate once we understand the estate and the work required.

What is included in our standard probate service?

For a standard uncontested probate matter, our work will usually include:

meeting with you or speaking with you to take initial instructions;
reviewing the Will, if there is one;
identifying the executors or administrators entitled to deal with the estate;
advising you on your role and responsibilities;
identifying the assets and liabilities of the estate;
obtaining date of death values from banks, financial institutions and other asset holders;
preparing the relevant probate application;
preparing the relevant inheritance tax forms where required for the probate application;
submitting the application for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration;
dealing with enquiries raised by the Probate Registry;
obtaining the Grant;
collecting in estate assets;
paying estate liabilities from estate funds where funds are available;
preparing basic estate accounts;
distributing the estate to the beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules; and
keeping you updated as the matter progresses.

What is not included?

Unless we agree otherwise with you in writing, our standard probate service does not include:

conveyancing work linked to the sale or transfer of estate property;
dealing with disputes between executors, administrators or beneficiaries;
defending or bringing claims against the estate;
advice on contested probate or challenges to the validity of a Will;
advice on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975;
detailed inheritance tax planning;
detailed capital gains tax or income tax advice;
preparing trust documents or setting up trusts arising from the Will;
dealing with foreign assets or foreign probate requirements;
tracing missing beneficiaries;
arranging property clearances, property maintenance or insurance;
attending the deceased’s property or carrying out site visits;
dealing with business assets or company interests;
dealing with agricultural assets or business property relief claims;
preparing complex estate accounts; or
work required because information provided to us is incomplete or incorrect.

If any of the above work is required, we will discuss this with you and provide a separate estimate where appropriate.

Disbursements and other expenses

Disbursements are costs payable to third parties. These are separate from our legal fees and are usually paid from the estate where estate funds are available.

Common disbursements may include:

Probate Registry application fee: currently £300 where the estate is over £5,000. No VAT is payable on this fee.
Additional official copies of the Grant: currently £16 per copy. No VAT is payable on this fee.
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches: usually £2 per beneficiary. No VAT is payable on this fee.
Land Registry title documents, if required: usually £7 per title document. No VAT is payable on this fee.
Statutory notice in The London Gazette: currently approximately £96.55 plus VAT, being £115.86 including VAT, for a standard deceased estate notice.
Statutory notice in a local newspaper: the cost varies depending on the publication, but is commonly in the region of £100 to £250 plus VAT at 20%. We will confirm the cost before placing any notice.
Asset valuations, for example property, share or chattel valuations: the cost will depend on the asset and the valuer instructed. VAT may be payable.
Missing beneficiary searches, genealogist fees or tracing agent fees, if required: the cost will depend on the work required. VAT may be payable.
Accountant’s fees, if tax advice or tax returns are required: the cost will depend on the work required. VAT may be payable.

We will let you know which disbursements are likely to be required in your matter before they are incurred where possible.

Where VAT is payable on a disbursement, it is usually charged at 20%. Some disbursements, such as Probate Registry fees, official copies of the Grant, bankruptcy-only searches and Land Registry title documents, do not usually attract VAT. Other third-party costs, such as valuation fees, accountant’s fees, tracing agent fees and some statutory notice costs, may attract VAT. Where VAT applies, we will confirm the VAT amount before the cost is incurred where possible.

Possible additional costs

Additional work may be required if the estate becomes more complex than expected. This may happen, for example, where:

inheritance tax becomes payable;
HMRC raises detailed enquiries;
a full inheritance tax account is required;
assets are difficult to value;
there is a property sale or transfer;
there are disputes between family members or beneficiaries;
beneficiaries cannot be found;
there are overseas assets;
there are business interests;
the Will contains a trust;
there are lifetime gifts that need to be investigated;
the estate is insolvent or there are concerns about debts;
claims are made against the estate; or
substantial correspondence is required with beneficiaries, creditors, HMRC or other third parties.

If this happens, we will explain the additional work required and provide an updated costs estimate.

Key stages and likely timescales

The exact timescale will depend on the estate, the information available, and the response times of banks, financial institutions, HMRC, the Probate Registry and other third parties. As a general guide, the key stages are:

Initial instructions and review of the Will, if there is one: usually 1 to 2 weeks.
Identifying estate assets and liabilities and obtaining date of death values: usually 4 to 12 weeks.
Preparing the inheritance tax forms and probate application: usually 2 to 6 weeks once all asset and liability information has been received.
Submitting the probate application and waiting for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration: usually several weeks, but this can take longer depending on Probate Registry timescales and whether any enquiries are raised.
Collecting in estate assets and paying estate liabilities: usually 4 to 12 weeks after the Grant has been issued, depending on the assets involved.
Preparing estate accounts and dealing with distributions to beneficiaries: usually 4 to 12 weeks, provided there are no outstanding tax issues, disputes, missing beneficiaries or other complications.

Based on our current experience, a straightforward estate will usually take around 9 to 12 months to administer. More complex estates can take significantly longer and are often completed within approximately 1 to 3 years. These timescales are intended as a general guide only, as delays can arise for a number of reasons and some estates may take longer depending on their particular circumstances.

We usually advise executors and administrators to take care before making final distributions too quickly, particularly where there may be a risk of claims against the estate.

Who will work on your matter?

Your matter will be handled by members of our private client/probate team.

The work may be carried out by:

Saara Patel, Solicitor, who has over 8 years’ experience advising clients on Wills, probate, estate administration, inheritance tax and private client matters.
a trainee solicitor or paralegal under supervision.

All work will be supervised by Saara Patel.

We will confirm who is responsible for your matter at the outset and provide you with their contact details.

Getting a quote

The information above is intended to give you a clear guide to our probate fees and the likely work involved. Before you decide whether to instruct us, we will discuss the estate with you and provide an estimate based on the information available at that stage.

If you would like advice about probate or estate administration, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Contact us now

Give us a call, or send us an email today to find out how we can help you.