Probate Fee Price Guide

Our Probate Only service:

To obtain a Grant of Probate only, our fees usually start from £1000.00 plus £200.00 VAT, totalling £1200.00, depending on the amount of work required.
For this service, you would need to provide us with all necessary information, including the values of all assets that will enable us to complete the Probate Application for the Executors. We will make an application to the Probate Registry for the Grant and send it to you.

There will be additional fees if:-

  • you require any advice,
  • any inheritance tax is payable,
  • there are any complications with the Will or intestacy that would require any additional paperwork or further clauses to be included in the Statement of Truth that forms part of the probate application.

In addition to the fixed fee there will a Probate Registry court fee payable.

Our full administration service:

Every case is different; we do not routinely offer a fixed fee for fully administering an estate. Our fees charged for the full administration service will depend on the amount of work involved, such as the number of beneficiaries, number of assets, and whether the estate is taxable and involves claims for agricultural or business relief but will typically start from £3,000.00 plus VAT of £600.00, totalling £3600.00.
Below is an example of the average charges for administering straightforward probate.

For obtaining a grant of probate, collecting assets and distributing an average charge would be in the region of £4000 (plus VAT £800) plus all disbursements.

Our charge could include a “value element” if the value of the estate is large or at risk.

Where the value of the estate exceeds £1,500,000.00, a percentage agreed with the client will be applied depending on the risk and value of the estate ranging from 1-2%. VAT is added to this element when charged. This value element will also apply to gifts made in the last seven years of the deceased’s death if those gifts are substantial as these will have to be detailed and brought into account for tax purposes.

How the fee would be made up:

Legal fee£4000.00
VAT£800.00
Disbursements£303.00
Total£5103.00

What are the disbursements?

Disbursements

Additional fees, payable to a third party, handled by us.

Standard disbursements include:

  • Probate Registry court fee of £303.00 plus £1.50 per sealed copy of the Grant of Probate
  • Bankruptcy search – £2.00 plus VAT per beneficiary (completed instantly online)
  • £160.00 (approx) for advertising in The London Gazette. This is to protect against unexpected claims from unknown persons/creditors
  • £100.00 (approx) for advertising in a local newspaper. This is also to protect against unexpected claims.

We will…

  • Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate lawyer to work on your matter
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
  • Peruse the relevant documents required to make the application
  • Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms (if required)
  • Draft a Statement of Truth
  • Make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf
  • Obtain the Probate and send The requested copies to you
  • Collect and distribute up to 3 assets in the estate that may be obtained by completion of one form each.

How long will it take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 3-6 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes up to 6 months. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 3-6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 6-8 weeks.