To obtain the Grant of Probate only our normal hourly rate is

• £301 per hour No VAT or in the alternative,
• a fixed charge of 2.5% no vat of the gross estate. Our fees change at the beginning of April and it is necessary to check if making contact after April.

Disbursements

Potential additional costs

The following prices relate only to Estates where all assets are in the UK and where there are no contested issues. In relation to such cases, We are happy to assist in relation to either obtaining the grant of probate, and/or assisting with the estate administration.

These estimates anticipate a reasonable level of communication during the process and, in circumstances where that is exceeded, additional charges are likely to be applied, but will be informed prior to any such charges being applied.

Circumstances, where additional charges may be incurred, include

• Executors/ Trustees of an estate may be entitled to reimbursement of all legal costs and related expenses involved.

Our minimum charge for probate matters – to obtain a grant of probate – is £3750 No VAT.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We can handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

• Probate Court Fee – £300.00**
• Copies of Grant of Probate (per copy) – £1.50**
• Land Registry Title Entries (per entry) – £4.20**
• Bankruptcy Search Fee (per name) – £5.00**
• Marriage/Death Certificate Search (per search) – £15.00**
• Creditor Protection Notices – £500*

* This is an estimated cost as the charges vary between area, dependent upon the newspaper in which the notice is published.

**These fees are subject to changes outside our control, and we will advise you accordingly.

Once the grant of probate has issued, we will send a final invoice for the work done and subsequent to payment, we will forward to you the original Grant of probate together with the certified copies that you have requested.

To Administer an Estate - How long will this take

• If there is no Will or the estate consists of any numerous share holdings (stocks and bonds) there are 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 in relation to the assets involved;

The time it takes to obtain a grant of probate depends largely upon how quickly the relevant asset information can be obtained. Once that information has been obtained (which can take 4 to 6 weeks depending upon the institutions concerned) typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 4 to 6 weeks after that.

If inheritance tax is payable and therefore a receipt is first required from HMRC, the process will take longer depending upon how quickly HMRC can process the application, although that can add another 3-5 weeks. On average that is about 4 months.

In addition to the above costs in obtaining the grant of probate, if you wish us to assist with the administration of the estate to include the collecting of all assets, the following additional costs will also become payable.

Where inheritance tax is not payable, collecting the assets and administering the estate to the beneficiaries is likely to take between 15 and 25 hours work at £301 per hour No VAT, i.e. £4515 -£7525 No VAT.

There are instances where work will exceed the number of hours estimated. You will be advised.

The time it takes to administer an estate can take several months and depends on a number of factors,

• including if there is a residential property to sell; if
• income tax returns require completion; or an estate
• needs to be registered as a complex estate (see above). In addition, we advise that clients consider delaying the estate administration to avoid potential personal liability as an Executor for the following reasons:

• In any case where our services are terminated partway through a transaction (e.g. before obtaining the grant of probate or concluding the estate administration) charges for the work undertaken to that point will be made at the hourly rate referred to above or in our terms of business plus VAT and disbursements.

Wills

The price for any Will depends on the complexity of the Will instruction and the number of assets and beneficiaries involved. For a very simple Will, which are Wills involving no more than 3 beneficiaries and 3 bequests is from £350 No VAT

A Will outside this description will be charged at the hourly rate of the Solicitor which is £301. Our professional charges do not attract VAT

Contentious Probate Maters Any such instruction is charged on an ongoing hourly rate of £301 and No vat is chargeable.