Our Services

Our probate service in straightforward cases includes the following:

• Identifying the legal administrators and beneficiaries;
• Accurately identifying the nature of the probate application required;
• Obtaining the relevant documents required to make the application;
• Identifying the value of all assets and liabilities;
• Completing the relevant HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs) Inheritance Tax forms (where appropriate);
• Advising on potential inheritance tax liabilities;
• Liaising with the tax authorities (HM Revenue and Customs) in relation to outstanding taxes (if any)
• Drafting a legal statement for the Probate Court;
• Submitting the application to the Probate Court on your behalf;
• Obtaining the Probate; and
• Advising, collecting, and distributing all estate assets including the preparation of estate accounts;
• We will NOT assist with advice in connection with any dispute concerning the estate nor income tax returns / other taxes unless specifically instructed to do so.

A straightforward case comprises of the following features:

• There are no more than 5 properties;
• There are no more than 10 banks or building society accounts;
• There are no other intangible assets or assets abroad;
• There are no more than 10 beneficiaries;
• There are no claims made against the estate;
• All liabilities comprising the estate are based in the UK.

Our charges

Please note that wherever VAT is referenced it will be charged at 20%.

The cost of our probate services varies depending on the complexity of the deceased person’s affairs.

We do not charge for an initial conversation about the estate of a deceased. This gives us an opportunity to discuss how we can help in relation to the administration of an estate and what our likely costs are to be.

In relation to solely obtaining a Grant of Probate we charge a fixed fee of c.£3,500 plus VAT for simple probate applications and c.£5,000-£8,000, for more complex probate applications.

In terms of our charges for handling the full process of administering an estate (including obtaining a Grant), we would always provide you with an estimate of our charges before we proceed to undertake any work. The exact cost would depend on the individual circumstances of the matter and how long the process took working on an hourly rate. We are a large team and have individuals of varying levels of qualification able to work on matters at the right level.

We can be flexible in relation to how we charge, giving our clients a choice at the outset of the matter. We are prepared to deal with estate administration for either an upfront agreed fixed fee; on hourly rates or, on an agreed capped fee with hourly rates – such exact figures to be agreed after the initial no obligation meeting once we have the full facts and understand what is required of us. Every family and estate are different, and we do not therefore believe there should be a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Our 2024 hourly rates are as follows (which are subject to annual review):

Partner                                                              £425 + VAT

Senior Associate                                               £375 + VAT

Associate                                                          £350 + VAT

Solicitor                                                            £300 + VAT

Trainee Solicitor/Solicitor (Senior Apprentice) £250 + VAT

Senior Legal Assistant                                      £250 + VAT

Paralegal                                                           £170 + VAT

Legal Assistant/Solicitor (Junior Apprentice)   £150 + VAT

A guide to our charges for full estate administration based on hourly rates is around 1-2% of the value of the estate with a minimum charge of £3,500 plus VAT.

It would not normally be necessary to undertake other work or incur other costs other than those described above. However, we would be very happy to provide you with a more tailored quote for all stages of your particular case once we know about your specific circumstances.

Disbursements

In addition, you will be responsible for all disbursements i.e., payments we must pay out on your behalf to third parties. Likely disbursements are as follows:

Case examples

Simple estate / No inheritance tax

Deceased left a Will, appointing son as sole executor and leaving the estate outright 50% to son and 50% to great grandchildren. Grant of Probate was obtained in the son’s sole name. Estate comprises of four bank accounts, premium bonds, and a Royal London life insurance policy. Estate value approximately £150,000. There is no inheritance tax payable due to the value of the estate being within the deceased’s own nil rate band.

Costs: c.£3,500 plus VAT and disbursements.

Simple estate/ Inheritance tax payable 

Deceased died intestate (without a Will). Letters of Administration were obtained in the daughter’s sole name. The estate passed outright between the deceased’s two children in equal shares under the intestacy rules. Estate comprises of 14 bank accounts, premium bonds, growth bonds, private pension, coin collection and money held by the deceased’s company. Estate value approximately £800,000 and inheritance tax payable in the sum of £180,000.

Costs c.£8,000 plus VAT and disbursements.

Complex estate

Deceased left a Will, appointing Private Client Solicitors as professional executors and leaving the whole estate in a Discretionary Trust. Estate comprises of a property worth £2.5 million, stock exchange investments, several business interests, two private pensions and £6 million in an offshore bond. Estate worth approximately £10 million. After use of the deceased’s nil rate band and business relief, £3 million inheritance tax is payable.

Costs c.£40,000 plus VAT and disbursements.

Timescales

The time to administer an estate will vary from case to case. However, on average, in simple cases probate can take 3-6 months to obtain and it can take a further 3-6 months to administer an estate. In more complex estates, realistically it will take 6 months to value the estate and obtain Probate and a further 12 – 18 months to deal with administering the estate.

People

We have several lawyers acting in this area. For more information about their experience and qualifications please refer to their individual biographies:

• Tasnim Khalid – Partner
• Paul Gotch – Partner
• Nicola Walker – Partner
• Lucy Fairey – Senior Associate
• Naomi Isherwood – Associate
• Michelle Tonge – Associate
• Aishah Patwary – Solicitor
• Mussarut Abbas – Solicitor
• Melissa Copple – Trainee Solicitor
• Demi Crosbie –Solicitor Apprentice
• Foziah Syed – Paralegal
• Emily Taylor – Paralegal