Applications for grant of probate or, if the deceased has not left a will, a grant of letters of administration
We act in the administration of the estate and advise if necessary with respect to deeds of variation, where effectively the estate is restructured within two years of the deceased’s death. This may be to save inheritance tax, or because the beneficiaries in the will have decided that the provisions of the will should be reconsidered.
Our Fees
We offer a fixed fee for applications for Grant of Probate which is limited by the amount of assets in the estate. The price below details what is included and what limitations there are for the service. The Grant of Probate services include the completion and submission of the relevant forms and other required documentation for taxation as well as the completion and submission of forms for the grant of probate.
Please note that the below prices do not include VAT or Disbursements unless otherwise stated.
- Grant of Probate Non-Taxable Estates £750/(+VAT)
Includes:
- Submission of Inheritance Tax Form 205
- Application for Grant of Probate
- VAT
This fee allows for the following to be included in the estate:
- 1 Property
- 5 Bank/Building Society Accounts
- 3 Shareholdings
Taxable Estates
Taxable estates are generally much more complex and require different sets of forms for completion. A price guide for our Grant of Probate service in relation to taxable estates can be found below.
Estate Administration
There is an additional cost of £240 for us to administer the estate for up to 4 beneficiaries.
Timescale:
Attaining a grant of probate for a simple estate can take between 4 and 24 weeks.
Total Cost including VAT:
- £900
Taxable Estates
Our fees are calculated on an hourly rate and an estimated cost for this service is provided below based on a typical case. This estimate includes completing and submitting paperwork in relation to taxation, application for the grant of probate, and the administration of the estate on your behalf.
- Estimated Cost: £1,800 – £2,500 (+VAT)
- Includes Paperwork for Taxation and Grant of Probate Including Oaths: £1,000-£1,700 (+VAT)
Estate Administration:
- Hourly Rate: £200
- Estimated Hours: 4
Estimated Timescale: 16 – 30 weeks
- Total cost including VAT: £2,160 – £3,000
Includes:
- Completion and submission of Inheritance Tax forms for taxable estates and schedules associated with this
- The preparation and submission of the application for grant of probate
- Gathering the estate’s assets
- Distributing those assets to up to 4 beneficiaries of the estate
The estimate is based on a service which includes us dealing with one property, five bank/building society accounts, and up to three shareholdings.
This would apply if it is a non-taxable estate with a valid will and where we would be distributing assets to up to two beneficiaries.
The fee does not include disbursements which are discussed in greater detail below.
Get a more accurate quote
Every case is different, to get a bespoke estimate contact us today and we can discuss the specifics.
There may be additional tax due on this matter which would be separate to the estimated cost.
For additional information on Inheritance Tax
Disbursements are costs related to third-party services that we pay on your behalf.
We have not included the following disbursements in the above prices which may be charged in addition to the above fees. We price these based on the cost these services are charged to us:
- Probate Court Fee: £155
- Swearing of Oath Fee: £5 per Executor
- Bankruptcy searches against each beneficiary: £2 per person
- Trustee Act Notice in London Gazette and Local Paper to protect against unexpected claims against the estate: £260 (estimate)
Please note:
These fees do not apply where any assets of the estate are outside of the UK
These fees do not apply if the Will or distribution of the estate is contested
These fees do not apply if there is a claim against the estate under the Inheritance Family & Dependants Act
If the administration of the estate requires the sale or transfer of a property this will be charged separately.
How it Works
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Stage 1
Valuing the Estate
At this stage we will go through the deceased’s papers and bank statements to establish their assets and liabilities. This can be quite straightforward, however in some cases there may be multiple investments, properties, and other personal belongings to consider.
At this stage we may need to contact banks, lenders, fund managers, pension providers, the local government, the DWP, and the HMRC.
Stage 2
File Probate Forms
Once we have assessed the size of the estate we will be able to complete the probate application form by applying to the Probate Registry.
We will need to swear an executor’s oath at this stage to confirm that the details of the application are correct.
Stage 3
File Inheritance Tax Forms
Regardless of whether inheritance tax must be paid inheritance tax forms must be completed. One form is used for non-taxable estates, another for taxable estates.
We will complete the related forms as well as any additional schedules to establish the amount of tax payable.
Stage 4
Pay Probate Fees
At this stage, we will pay the applicable probate fees on your behalf. These are fixed regardless of the size of the estate and are detailed above in the disbursements section.
Stage 5
Pay Inheritance Tax
If there is inheritance tax payable on the estate then it must be paid prior to the administration of the estate. Funds can be transferred directly from one of the deceased’s accounts for this if there are sufficient funds.
Stage 6
Administer the Estate
In the final stage of the probate process, we will distribute the assets of the estate in accordance with a Will or the rules of intestacy.
