How We Charge For Our Services

UK Probate Estate Administration

We start each case with a fact find, in which we ask a few straightforward questions about the deceased’s persons estate. For example, whether the deceased left a will, the approximate value of the estate assets, and the likely number of beneficiaries. Having obtained this information we will then send a fixed fee quote outlining the exact cost.

How much we charge ultimately depends upon the work we undertake, for example in some cases we are asked to obtain a grant of probate only, whilst in other cases we will administer the full estate from start to finish.

Set out below are examples, our costs and likely timescales in cases.

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets

Total costs estimated at £1250-3000 plus vat and disbursements

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 quote is for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than 7 bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are 2-4 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 which will be in addition to our fee :

• Probate application fee of £276
• Land registry searches £3
• £150 Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
• £150 Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.

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 is 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.
• 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 10-15 weeks. It can be a lot shorter if there are very few assets and all information is readily available. We will always update you throughout the case, so you know exactly the likely time frame as to when the estate is likely to conclude.

Grant Only Service

Sometimes, clients want us to obtain a grant of probate or grant of letters of administration, without administering the estate. In such cases, our costs would be £950 plus vat and the same disbursements as listed above. These costs are for non-taxable estates below £325,000.

Inheritance tax cases

If instructed on a case in which inheritance tax is payable, we would provide a bespoke quote in which the minimum fee would be £3,000 plus vat and disbursements as outlined above.

What happens if you cannot provide a fixed fee quote

There maybe complex cases ( for example where the estate assets are unknown ) that make it impossible to provide a fixed fee quote. If this is the case we would typically undertake the case in one of two ways. Firstly an hourly rate of £250 plus vat and disbursements or secondly undertake the case on a fixed percentage of between 1-2% of the gross value of the estate. If the case is undertaken on an hourly rate, we would always provide an initial estimate of £3,000 plus vat and disbursements ( as above) which would be reviewed once further information had be obtained. Thereafter, fees in excess of this quote would be provided.

Wills and Power of Attorney Services

Drafting and preparation of wills for local clients £300 plus vat

Drafting and preparation of Lasting Power of Attorney’s £275 plus vat per LPA. The registration fee per LPA to the Office of the Public Guardian is currently £82.

No Win No Fee Agreements

In a contested probate case, there are lots of ways to fund a case which maybe summarise as follows :-

No Win No Fee Damaged Based Agreement

A new form of agreement, which acts in the same way as a No Win No Fee agreement but with our costs being paid out of any damages recovered on your behalf. Typically, the percentage can be anything between 20-30%.

The advantage of this type of agreement is that you do pay anything except disbursements specifically agreed in advance, these may include out of pocket expenses for medical records eg. typically £50, the issue fee typically £320-£400.

No win No fee Agreement CFA

This means that our costs – only if you are successful would be payable by you. You would pay our fees plus a success fee which is typically a percentage of our usual fees – this can be anything between 20-100% and ranges depending upon the stage upon which the case settles. We would always seek to recover costs from your opponent , although the success fee and any shortfall on costs would be payable by you. The only costs if you lost to which you would be responsible for would be any agreed disbursements such as court fees £320-£400,medical records eg. typically £50 or any other out of pocket expense that we have incurred to which you will always be advised of.

Deferred fee basis

This means that our costs are deferred until the end of the case.

Fixed fee

Agreed in advance a fixed fee fee for handling the case.