Our Probate and Estate Administration Cost

The information below relates to non-contentious probate and estate administration matters where the estate assets are located in the UK. If your circumstances fall outside this scope, we will provide a tailored quote once we understand the details of the estate.

How Our Fees Are Calculated

Grant-only applications are usually handled on a fixed-fee basis.

Full estate administration is typically charged as a percentage of the gross value of the estate, as the time required will depend on the size and complexity of the estate and the work involved.

Factors that may affect the overall cost include:

• The number and type of assets in the estate
• Whether a property needs to be sold or transferred
• The number of beneficiaries involved
• Whether inheritance tax needs to be paid or reported
• The presence of business assets or overseas assets
• Missing documentation or difficulties locating assets or beneficiaries

If additional work is required outside the agreed scope, we will discuss this with you before proceeding.

Our legal fees are shown exclusive of VAT. VAT is charged at the prevailing rate, currently 20%. Some disbursements also attract VAT and this will be shown separately where applicable.

Likely Disbursements

Disbursements are payments made to third parties during the probate process. These may include:

• Probate Registry application fee – £526 if the estate is valued over £5,000
• Additional sealed copies of the Grant – £16 each
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges search – £7 per name by post
• Statutory notice in The Gazette – from £102.50 plus VAT
• Local newspaper notice – from £85 plus VAT
• Asset valuation fees – from £165 plus VAT
• HM Land Registry fees, if applicable – Office Copy entry £7 plus VAT

Some of these disbursements may attract VAT.

What Is Included

Obtaining the Grant of Probate Only

Our grant-only service usually includes:

• taking your initial instructions
• reviewing the documents and information you provide
• preparing the probate application
• preparing the relevant inheritance tax forms
• submitting the application to the Probate Registry
• dealing with standard queries from the Probate Registry
• sending the sealed Grant to you once issued

Full Estate Administration

Our full estate administration service usually includes:

• identifying the executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• gathering details of the estate assets and liabilities
• preparing the probate application and tax documentation
• collecting in estate assets
• paying debts and liabilities
• preparing estate accounts
• distributing the estate to beneficiaries

What Is Not Included

Unless specifically agreed in writing, our fees do not usually include:

• contested probate or disputes between beneficiaries or executors
• estates involving assets outside the UK
• conveyancing work relating to property sales or transfers
• deeds of variation
• trust advice or trust administration
• HMRC investigations or inheritance tax disputes
• tracing missing beneficiaries or assets

If additional work becomes necessary, we will provide a separate quote before carrying it out.

Likely Timescales

Every estate is different and timescales can vary depending on the assets involved and whether inheritance tax is payable.

Grant of Probate Only

Typical stages include:

• gathering information and documents needed for the application
• preparing and submitting the probate application
• receiving the Grant from the Probate Registry

Once submitted, the Probate Registry currently takes around 12 weeks on average to issue the Grant, although this may vary.

Full Estate Administration

The process usually involves:

• obtaining the Grant of Probate
• collecting estate assets and settling liabilities
• preparing estate accounts
• distributing the estate to beneficiaries

A straightforward estate administration may take 6 – 12 months, although complex estates can take longer.

Who Will Carry Out the Work

Information about the experience and qualifications of the solicitors and support staff who carry out this work, and the supervisors responsible for it, can be found on our Team page.