Probate
We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf. We will also undertake the collection and distribution of assets.
How much does this service cost?
If there is no inheritance tax
TOTAL: fixed fee of £3,000 to £5,000 plus VAT (£600 to £1,000)
If there is inheritance tax to pay
TOTAL: fixed fee of £5,000 to £8,000 plus VAT (£1,200 to £1,600)
This includes: obtaining the Grant, collecting assets and distributing them.
Disbursements:
- Probate application fee of £300(no VAT) plus £1.50 per additional copy of the Grant or Letters of Administration.
- Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£6 per beneficiary).
- £375 Plus VAT approximately Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
- S27 Notice – £200-300
- Deputyship application fee – £421
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Probate Registry 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 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 Registry on your behalf
- Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you
- Collect and distribute all assets in the estate
Average time to complete
Estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 8 to 12 months, approximately. Typically, obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 4 to 5 months, which includes the Probate Registry issuing Grants in 12 weeks upon receipt of the application. If inheritance tax is due, we must first lodge the Inheritance Tax Return at HMRC and then wait 25 working days for HMRC to issue a unique code, which is needed to lodge the online application for the Grant at the Probate Registry. The Legal Statement and original Will is then submitted by post to the Probate Registry. Then, once the Grant has been issued, collecting assets and settling liabilities in the estate can take between 2 to 4 months. Should a Section 27 Notice be published, then this is published for 2 months, and no distributions can take place during this time. If inheritance tax is due, it could take between 5 to 8 months to receive clearance, and then we can distribute the estate, which normally takes 1 month, provided we have satisfied identification requirements.
Potential additional costs:
If the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) and has more than five bank accounts and four beneficiaries, 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.
- CGT implications
- Preparation of Deed of Variation, Declaration of Trusts and Deed of Renunciation.
- Assets abroad
- Dealing with the sale of any property in the estate is not included.
- Requirement to claim Residential Nil Band
- Search for the missing beneficiary’s estate
- Foreign domicile issues
Applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
Fixed fee of £750 plus VAT (£150) plus £300 Probate fee plus 3 copies of the Grant £4.50 = £1,204.50
Wills
Standard Will £250.00 plus VAT
Mirror Wills £350.00 plus VAT
Asset Protection £450.00 plus VAT (nursing care home fees/2nd wife)
Severance £250.00 plus VAT
Plus, disbursements are usually limited to obtaining office copy entries from the Land Registry, which cost £3.00
AT A DISTANCE
£250.00 plus VAT (£50) – STANDARD
£350.00 plus VAT (£70) – MIRROR WILLS
£450.00 plus VAT (£90) – ASSET PROTECTION WILLS
LPAS
At a distance
1 X LPA £300.00 plus VAT (£60) AND OPG FEES
2 X LPA £350.00 plus VAT (£70) AND OPG FEES
4 X LPA £450.00 plus VAT (£90) AND OPG FEES
Disbursements limited to OPG application fees of £82 per application
Rolls-Royce Service
If we are to be certifiers
1 x LPA £375.00 plus VAT
2 X LPA £600.00 plus VAT
4 X LPA £1000.00 plus VAT
Disbursements limited to OPG application fees of £82 per application
Court of Protection
Deputyship Order relating to property affairs £950 plus VAT (£190)
Disbursements limited to the Court application fee of £371 per application