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You will find in this section information about typical probate cases we are asked to advise on.
Case 1
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets where no Inheritance Tax is payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC.
Total costs are estimated at £2,500-£6,000 (+VAT).
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.
We will handle the full process for you. This estimate is for estates where:
- There is a valid will
- There is no more than one property
- There are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are 1-4 beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
- There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
- There are no claims made against the estate
Disbursements to be added to this fee:
- Probate application fee of £300 plus £1.50 per additional sealed copy required.
- £200 - £300 Adverts in The London Gazette and a Local Newspaper – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
Disbursements are 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.
Potential additional costs
- If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there are likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
- If we are asked to take responsibility for visiting a property in the estate in order to maintain the house insurance company’s requirements then we charge a set fee of £40 plus VAT per visit.
- Our estimate may be exceeded if queries are raised by HMRC or the Probate Registry.
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
How long will this take?
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 9-14 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 3-4 months. Collecting and distributing the assets then follows, which normally takes 6-10 months.
Case 2
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets where Inheritance Tax may be payable and the executors need to submit a full account to HMRC.
Total costs estimated at £3,500-£10,000 (+VAT).
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.
We will handle the full process for you. This estimate is for estates where:
- There is a valid will
- There is no more than one property
- There are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are 1-4 beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
- There may be inheritance tax payable and the executors do need to submit a full account to HMRC
- There are no claims made against the estate
Disbursements to be added to this fee:
- Probate application fee of £300 plus £1.50 per additional sealed copy required.
- £200 - £300 Adverts in The London Gazette and a Local Newspaper – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
Disbursements are 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.
Potential additional costs
- If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds), business assets or the property is subject to a mortgage there are likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
- If we are asked to take responsibility for visiting a property in the estate in order to maintain the house insurance company’s requirements then we charge a set fee of £40 plus VAT per visit.
- Our estimate may be exceeded if queries are raised by HMRC or the Probate Registry.
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
- Inheritance Tax
How long will this take?
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 12-24 months. Typically, it will take approximately 3 – 6 months to complete the work necessary to apply for the Grant, a further 3 months to receive the Grant of Probate and another 6 – 12 months following receipt of the Grant to complete the administration of the estate.
Case 3
Grant Only Probate (fixed fee) where no Inheritance Tax is payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC.
We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf.
How much does this service cost?
TOTAL: fixed fee of £1,743 (inc. VAT and disbursements as set out below).
This includes: obtaining the Grant only.
Breakdown of costs:
Legal fees £1,200
VAT on legal fees £240
Disbursements:
- Probate court fee of £303 (for original grant and 2 sealed copies).
Disbursements are 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.
As part of our fixed fee we will:
- Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor or chartered legal executive to work on your matter
- Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
- Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
- Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
- Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
- Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
- Obtain the Probate and provide two copies to you
- Our estimate does not include dealing with any queries raised by HMRC or the Probate Registry for further information. We will discuss this with you should it occur.
We estimate that it will take approximately 6 – 12 weeks from the date that you supply all of the necessary valuations for the assets and liabilities to obtain the Grant, however such timescale is dependent on the time it takes for you to approve and sign the documents and for the Probate Registry to process the application.
Case 4
Grant Only Probate (fixed fee) where Inheritance Tax may be payable and the executors need to submit a full account to HMRC.
We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf.
How much does this service cost?
TOTAL: fixed fee from £3,303 (inc. VAT and disbursements as set out below) depending on complexity.
This includes: obtaining the Grant only.
Breakdown of costs:
Legal fees from- £2,500
VAT on legal fees from £500
Disbursements:
- Probate court fee of £303 (for original grant and 2 sealed copies)).
Disbursements are 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.
As part of our fixed fee we will:
- Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor or chartered legal executive to work on your matter
- Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
- Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
- Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
- Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
- Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
- Obtain the Probate and provide two copies to you
- Our estimate does not include dealing with any queries raised by HMRC or the Probate Registry for further information. We will discuss this with you should it occur.
We estimate that it will take approximately 10 – 16 weeks from the date that you supply all of the necessary valuations for the assets and liabilities to obtain the Grant, however such timescale is dependent on the time it takes for you to approve and sign the documents and for the Probate Registry to process the application.