Probate costs

Probate solicitors fees

Pricing information
	1-2% of estate value +VAT Prices typically range from 2% of the gross value of an estate valued at £500,000 or less, to 1% of an estate valued at over £3 million
	2-4 months Estimated time to obtain a grant of representation from the date we are instructed
	Meet the team

We think it is essential for clients to have a choice about the amount of support and advice they receive from us. Our probate costs will depend on the amount of that support.

Our expertise

We can advise on:

• interpreting the Will
• the scope of executors' duties and responsibilities immediately following death, and any limitations
• the law of intestacy in the absence of a Will, including the rules of distribution of the estate and who is entitled to apply for a grant of representation
• any trusts arising under the Will or on intestacy, including advising the trustees on their on-going fiduciary duties
• what happens if specific items given in the Will no longer exist or have changed in description
• how to deal with personal belongings including if there is a letter of wishes, and immediate steps to be taken to preserve any property in the estate (including maintaining insurance cover)
• dealing with investment properties and any tenants in occupation working in conjunction with our property lawyers
• the deceased's tax position, particularly if the estate includes any business assets working alongside our corporate and tax lawyers
• the disputes that can arise out of wills and estates. Our contentious probate lawyers provide this specialist legal advice and guidance
• issues of domicile, liaising with lawyers in other jurisdictions, should additional grants of representation be required to deal with assets held overseas
• drafting deeds of variation to enable beneficiaries to divert an inheritance from their own estate, to others. 

Our services

The administration of an estate consists of two stages:

1. obtaining the grant of representation
2. post grant work.

Our work to obtain the grant of representation is likely to include the following steps: 

• meeting with you to go through the terms of the Will, or explain the intestacy provisions if there is no Will
• identifying the extent of the estate, the assets and liabilities and ascertaining their value in accordance with HMRC's requirements, for inheritance tax purposes (including any charges on properties)
• arranging for personal belongings to be valued
• corresponding with HMRC to confirm the income tax position up to the date of death and computing final lifetime tax returns, if required
• investigating and considering any available inheritance tax reliefs that may be applied to the estate
• preparing the appropriate oath for executors/administrators
• securing the property and ensuring that buildings insurance is maintained
• drafting the appropriate inheritance tax return forms
• arranging for payment of inheritance tax
• submitting statutory notices to notify creditors of the death
• submitting the application to the Probate Registry and receiving the grant.

The post-Grant work is likely to include:

• selling or collecting in all assets
• settling all liabilities
• finalising the inheritance tax liability and advising on any instalments of tax to be paid
• completing administration income tax/capital gains tax returns
• registering an estate as a 'complex estate' with HMRC
• producing full estate accounts for approval
• advising on the distribution of the estate, including on interim distributions.

Additional services

The costs set out above do not include the following services, and we can provide a separate fee estimate for these services, if required:

• selling any flat or house in the estate
• administering a trust arising out of the will
• any contentious aspects of the administration
• advising on any deed of variation to vary the terms of the Will
• assisting with any 'compliance check' (audit) of the estate by HMRC.

For estate administration advice from experienced probate solicitors, please contact Rachael Armstrong on 0121 227 3726.