Probate and Estate Administration Fees

This page provides information about our fees for probate and estate administration matters in accordance with the transparency requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter, including the complexity of the estate, the type and value of assets involved, the availability of information, and whether inheritance tax is payable.

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Our Fees

Grant of Probate / Grant of Representation Only

Where you require us to obtain a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration only, our fees are typically:

VAT is payable on our legal fees at the prevailing rate, currently 20%.

These fees generally include:

• taking initial instructions;
• reviewing the Will (where applicable);
• identifying the appropriate probate application required;
• preparing the probate application;
• preparing the relevant HMRC forms;
• drafting the statement of truth;
• submitting the application to the Probate Registry; and
• providing sealed copies of the Grant once issued.

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Full Estate Administration

Where we are instructed to administer the estate in full, our fees usually range from:

• 1% to 4% of the gross value of the estate, plus VAT.

Alternatively, we may charge based on the time spent dealing with the matter, depending on the complexity of the estate.

The total fee will depend on factors including:

• the value and composition of the estate;
• whether inheritance tax is payable;
• the number and type of assets;
• the number of beneficiaries;
• whether there is a valid Will;
• whether any disputes arise;
• the extent of information available regarding assets and liabilities;
• the location of assets;
• whether foreign assets are involved; and
• whether additional work is required in relation to trusts, property sales, or business assets.

For more complex estates, legal fees can exceed £15,000 plus VAT.

We will provide a tailored estimate at the outset of the matter once sufficient information is available.

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VAT

VAT is a government tax which we are required to charge on our legal fees and certain disbursements at the prevailing rate, currently 20%.

Some disbursements are outside the scope of VAT.

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Disbursements

Disbursements are costs payable to third parties as part of the probate process. These commonly include:

• Probate Court application fees;
• additional copies of the Grant;
• bankruptcy-only Land Charges searches;
• statutory notices;
• valuation fees;
• estate agent fees;
• accountant or tax adviser fees; and
• barrister’s fees where specialist advice is required.

Typical disbursements may include:

Third-party fees may vary depending on the circumstances of the estate.

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Likely Timescales

The time required to complete probate and estate administration will depend on the complexity of the estate and the speed with which third parties respond.

Typical timescales are:

• approximately 3 to 6 months to obtain a Grant of Probate in a straightforward matter; and
• a further 6 to 12 months to complete the administration of the estate.

More complex estates, including taxable estates or those involving property sales, disputes, overseas assets, or missing information, can take significantly longer and may take 18 to 24 months or more to conclude.

We will provide you with a more accurate estimate of timescales once we have reviewed the estate information.

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What Our Service Includes

Depending on the level of service you require, our work may include:

• providing you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor;
• identifying the executors, administrators, and beneficiaries;
• reviewing the validity and terms of the Will;
• identifying the assets and liabilities of the estate;
• obtaining date of death valuations;
• preparing the appropriate inheritance tax forms;
• preparing and submitting the probate application;
• corresponding with the Probate Registry and HMRC;
• collecting in estate assets;
• settling estate liabilities and debts;
• distributing the estate to beneficiaries; and
• preparing estate accounts.

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What Is Not Included

Unless specifically agreed in writing, our fees do not include:

• dealing with disputes between beneficiaries or claims against the estate;
• contested probate matters;
• inheritance tax planning advice;
• trust administration beyond the estate administration period;
• overseas grants or resealing foreign grants;
• conveyancing relating to the sale or transfer of property; or
• specialist tax or accounting advice.

Additional charges may apply if extra work becomes necessary during the matter. We will discuss this with you before incurring any significant additional costs.