Probate Uncontested Costs
Price & Costs
Grant of Probate only, with you providing the information, collecting and distributing assets | £950 plus VAT and expenses (IHT205) £1,250 plus VAT and expenses (IHT400) |
Grant of Probate with us seeking and collating information, collecting and distributing assets etc. | The fee will depend on many variables and you will be advised before we commence work. As a rough guide a simple estate as described above involving an IHT205 would be in the region of £2,000 to £2,500 plus VAT |
There will be expenses to pay third parties for matters relating to the administration of the estate and we set out below the usual expenses that may be applicable. Again we will advise you when you give us your instructions of those which might apply to your matter.
Probate Court fee for Estates over £5,000 | £155 currently |
Office copy Grants | 50p per copy |
Bankruptcy searches against Beneficiaries in UK | £2 for each name |
Bankruptcy Searches against Beneficiaries abroad | Variable |
Creditors Notice (S27 Trustee Act l925) protects against unexpected claims Executor/Administrator | Variable but usually up to £250 inc VAT |
Unclaimed Assets Register Search | £25 |
Certainty Will Search | £114 inc VAT |
Asset Search | £150 plus VAT |
Identity checks | £6 inc VAT |
What is covered by within our fee (other than Grant only instructions) ?
This differs from matter to matter but broadly covers the following:
• Initial advice to the Personal Representatives on the effect of the Will, their responsibilities and potential liabilities in administering the Estate.
• Gathering details of the assets and liabilities of the Estate involving correspondence with banks, building societies etc and the commissioning of valuations where necessary.
• Preparing the papers to apply for the Grant, which includes an HM Revenue & Customs Account.
• Lodging the application for Probate and filing an HM Revenue & Customs Account IHT205 or IHT400.
• Initial correspondence with beneficiaries and legatees to advise them of their entitlement and the estimated time scale.
• Sending copies of the Grant to banks, building societies and others holding money and property, with the instructions of the Personal Representatives for closure or transfer of the accounts.
• Advising on the transfer or disposal of other assets in the Estate.
• Collecting and paying Estate money into our client account, where it will be subject to the protection of the Law Society’s rules regarding solicitors’ firms;’ handling of client’s money.
• Payment of liabilities and debts of which we are advised.
• Arranging payment of legacies.
• Making distributions to the residuary beneficiaries.
• Preparing financial accounts of the administration of the Estate for the Personal Representatives and residuary beneficiaries.
• Reporting to the HMR&C with details of any income received or capital gains realised by the Personal Representatives in administering the Estate and providing tax deduction certificates to the residuary beneficiaries where necessary.
• If we are instructed only to obtain the Grant of Probate only steps 1-4 will apply.
Additional work that could be required:
- The conveyancing of any property in the Estate
- Bringing the deceased’s income tax affairs up to date to the date of death; or
- The drawing up of a Deed of Variation of the Will
Will be charged for separately, which you will be notified in advance and agree.
If we settle any expenses on your behalf prior to receiving monies into the Estate, then those costs will be recovered from the Estate as soon as we receive monies into our client account.
If no monies from the Estate are received by us, such costs will be included in our invoice to you.
FURTHER MATTERS which may affect the charges
Where an Estate is insolvent or there are assets held abroad or the estate administration contains elements which are outside the usual then this may lead to increased costs. Where we need to instruct foreign solicitors or outside agencies they may have fees which we would include as an expense. We will discuss these matters at the initial meeting or as soon as they are brought to our attention and be able to advise any additional fees.
Timescale (depending on current waiting times with the Probate Registry)
Typically
- To obtain a Grant with 2-3 months
- Complete an Administration 9-12 months (depending on complexity)
The department is overseen by Julian Cann (Solicitor).
Details of the Team’s individual experience and qualifications are shown on our website.
contacting us
Our Address is:
2 Tangier Central, Taunton TA1 4AP
Business Hours are Monday to Friday –
9.00am to 5.00pm
Main Switchboard: 01823 351 122
If you prefer to email us without using our form, please just click the email address [email protected]
