PROBATE
An exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property the costs will be at the lower end of the range and if there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple other assets the costs will be at the higher end of the range.
We offer the following services with guide prices indicated:-
Grant only service
This service involves our dedicated Probate team drafting the relevant application to the Probate Registry to obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
This service is based upon all relevant information being provided to us and us not being engaged with liaising with any financial organisations on behalf of the Estate.
Our fees for this service are usually between £500 – £800 plus VAT plus disbursements. The automatic disbursement is the Probate Registry fee of £300 plus £1.50 per additional copy of the Grant required. If the Estate consists of a property there may also be a HM Land Registry search required costing £3.
With regard to a timeframe for this service this typically takes 4-6 months from the initial consultation to receipt of the Grant. This is due to the ongoing delays at the Probate Registry.
Full Estate Administration service
This services involves us handling the entire process for you from start to finish. We endeavor to ensure that this takes away some of the emotional strain and worry of being an Executor / Administrator when a loved one has passed away.
As part of this service a dedicated and experienced caseworker will:
- Meet with you to discuss matters and review all necessary paperwork before providing advice on the steps to be taken
- Identity the legally authorised Executors or Administrators
- Identify and liaise with all beneficiaries
- Liaise with all necessary financial organisations to obtain all relevant information
- Prepare the Probate application including Legal Statement required
- Submit the application for the Grant on your behalf and review this until the Grant is received
- Arrange the release of all assets held
- Arrange payment of all liabilities
- Arrange the transfer of any property if required – if the property is to be sold our dedicated Conveyancing team can assist with this
- Distribute all net funds to the relevant beneficiaries
Our fees for this service are dependent upon a number of factors including but not limited to whether there is a Will, the number of assets and liabilities, whether there is a property, the number of beneficiaries and the tax position.
Our fee estimate would be a minimum of £1,500 – £2,000 plus VAT plus disbursements but a more accurate estimate for your individual matter will be provided during the initial consultation.
Again with this service the automatic disbursement is the Probate Registry fee of £300 plus £1.50 per additional copy of the Grant required and also the £3 HM Land Registry fee if the Estate contains a property.
With regard to timeframes for this service we endeavor to finalise all Estate administrations within a 12 month period. This includes 4-6 weeks from the consultation to obtain all relevant information and to then prepare and submit the application for the Grant. This can then take up to, and sometimes in excess of, 16 weeks to be received. It then usually takes a further 4-6 weeks to collect all assets and settle all liabilities before the distribution process can take place which usually takes a further 2-4 weeks. Any sale of a property required is likely to take additional time.