Administration of Estates

We undertake applications for probate or letters of administration at a fixed fee of £1000 plus VAT.
Some estates are simple but others can be complex. Probate costs can vary significantly because of the time involved in the complexity of the estate.

We will give you a better idea of cost when we meet you and find out just what the estate involves.

We can assist you with the full process of administration of the estate. We can also limit our work to a grant of probate or letters of administration if you choose and/or deal with the administration of the estate only, if you choose to obtain the probate yourself.
We can also advise you on the best way to limit inheritance tax should inheritance tax be a feature of the estate.

This involves writing out to each of the bodies with whom the deceased had financial dealings between financial institutions, insurance companies, pension providers, H&M revenue customs and the Department for work and pensions and other public bodies and where they had shares to companies to obtain relevant financial information and thereafter preparing and submitting the inheritance tax return to the revenue and completing a grant of probate applications.

Subject to having obtained probate letter of administration we will cash in financial assets and settle liabilities and where appropriate sell and dispose of property. The cost of conveyancing would be quoted separately.

We will prepare an estate of accounts and distribute the estate amongst beneficiaries.

Typically this will take between 12 to 36 hours at an hourly rate of £225.00 plus VAT.

We will also charge a percentage based on the value of the estate, limited to 1% of the value of the estate.

The exact cost will depend on individual circumstances of the estate. The budget fees for the estate is whether as a valid will, where there is no more than one property, no more than five bankable society accounts and other tangible and intangible assets.

It is not relevant as to how many beneficiaries there are as this will form part of the administration of the estate.

If there are claims against the estate by any third party then these will be dealt with by our litigation team who will give you a separate quote for the work as and when the dispute arises.

In addition to the costs of applying for probate, there will be disbursements payable to the probate Registry. The preparation fee is £313.00.

Every bank set against each of the beneficiaries is at cost £4.20 per beneficiary.

There may be a need to have a statutory advertisement of the estate which will vary between £150.00 and £300.00. There may be a need to search the register which would cost £214.00.

Assuming two executors are not carrying out a probate registry search or such as advisements, disposals will be in the region of £325.00.