Probate Pricing Structure

If Probate is required, we have provided below some more information regarding the potential costs.

With most estates, we can assist by just dealing with the probate application for a fixed fee.

This works particularly well for estates that:

• are not subject to Inheritance Tax (for example under the nil rate band which is currently £325,000 for single person or £650,000 for a married couple);

• are passing in full to a surviving spouse or civil partner;

• have a small number of beneficiaries; and/or

• have straightforward bank accounts and investments.

For estates not requiring an IHT400 our fixed fee would be £1,105 plus VAT. If paper applications are required, this cost would be £1,295 +VAT.

For estates required to complete an IHT400 (which will be estates subject to Inheritance Tax or with other complicating factors) our fixed fee would be £2,210 plus VAT. If paper applications are required, this cost would be £2,400 +VAT.

With our fixed fee service, if you have any questions or queries regarding the probate procedure or how to deal with a specific matter one of our team will happily answer your question at no additional charge.

Additionally, there may be other expenses due in the estate, for example:

• Probate Court Fee – £300 (plus £1.50 per sealed copy of the grant required)

• Inheritance Tax

• Statutory Adverts

• Bankruptcy searches

As part of our service, we can explain all these additional costs to you, including their benefit and whether or not they are even required in your circumstances.

Where more assistance is needed in administering an estate, we also offer a full estate administration service which is charged on an hourly rate basis.

Once we have met with you and discussed the estate and the type and nature of the assets in most cases, we can agree a capped fee.  This means that provided the information we are supplied does not change our fees will not exceed the amount stated.  However, if the time spent is less than we initially quoted we will, of course, charge the lower amount.

Each matter is different, and we always try to structure the work required to the situation.  Below we have set out some estimates of costs, but it is always best for us to tailor the service we provide to you and this is why we offer a free consultation and quote for all probate matters.

Although our hourly rates may be higher than our competitors, because of this tailored service and the extra value we find the total cost can sometimes be less than firms with lower hourly rates.

To give you an idea of costs for an estate which:

• is not subject to IHT;

• owns a property, but the executors or family are happy to deal with practical issues

• has investments mainly in cash or investments managed by a stock broker

• no more than six beneficiaries

Our average fee for full estate administration which includes obtaining probate, collecting in and distributing the estate would be £4,900 plus VAT.  There may also be additional charges to other authorities mentioned above.

For a more complex estate which:

• is subject to IHT

• owns a property which we have to manage

• has numerous investments, some of which may involve shareholdings

• has more than six beneficiaries

Our average fee for full estate administration which includes obtaining probate, collecting in and distributing the estate would be £14,500 plus VAT.  There may also be additional charges to other authorities mentioned above.

Please note for any property sale there will be a separate fee and you can obtain our cost for this by clicking here.

Please be aware, where the price is not fixed, any updates will be given as soon as we are aware, and as the case progresses.

These costs have been updated on the 01 May 2024