Estates vary widely in size and complexity. We provide a fixed fee quote for uncontested probate in almost all cases. The fixed fee is worked out using numerous factors, in particular:-

• Number of beneficiaries.
• Value of estate, and whether inheritance tax is payable.
• Complexity of the estate, in particular if it includes foreign assets, shareholdings or a property.
• If the will contains on-going trusts to set up and administer.

As a guideline the quote often works out at 1% of the estate or less, however we do not compile the quote on this basis. Our fixed fee quote carefully considers each element of the administration and lists a fee for each aspect. We therefore provide an accurate reflection of the actual work involved in administering the estate. A large estate with simple assets would therefore work out at far less than 1% of the estate. However, a small estate with complicated foreign assets might work more than this. All these factors are discussed prior to sending out a quote and we arrive at a figure which accurately reflects the work involved and which should not change during the administration unless new factors are discovered, such as previously unknown assets.

The likely disbursements for a standard probate are as follows:-

• Court application fee £155 plus £0.50p for each copy of the grant.
• Trustee Act notices to protect against unknown creditors. approx £200+vat.
• Estate Accounts Software fee £80+vat.

Legal fees quoted are plus VAT

We provide a Grant only service for a fixed fee of £895+vat for an IHT205 application or £1,995+vat for an IHT400 application.

Service information
 
We also provide a full administration service where we handle every aspect from beginning to end.
The full administration service includes the following:

• Read and thoroughly understand all aspects of the Will.
• Formal arrangements – registering the death and organising the funeral.
• Paying funeral account – Arranging funds to be released for this.
• Gathering information and papers relating to the estate (meeting clients)
• Working through paperwork to establish a full picture of the assets and debts of the estate (Searching unclaimed assets register if necessary)
• Contacting house insurance provider to ensure coverage continues.
• Notifying people: employer, tax office, subscriptions, passport, doctor, etc.
• Notifying utility providers (to discuss paying bills, final readings etc)
• Writing to banks and institutions to obtain valuations of all the assets.
• Obtaning the tax position and closure procedure for all assets.
• Notifying all creditors and establishing values for all debts.
• Posting ‘Trustee Act notices’ to protect executors against unknown debts.
• Filling in Inheritance Tax forms, paying inheritance tax and getting clearance from HMRC.
• Arranging to transfer inheritance tax nil-rate-band (where available) to reduce Inheritance Tax payable.
• Drafting the probate oath and arranging for executors to swear the oath.
• Contacting pension providers and arranging for pension benefits to be paid where appropriate.
• Contacting state pension and benefits; settling overpayments and claims.
• Settling all outstanding debts.
• Finalising the income tax (liaising with accountant and filing a self assessment form where necessary). Applying for an income tax rebate where appropriate.
• Contact employers regarding death in service and any outstanding wages.
• Property aspects:-
• Arranging valuations (3 for a taxable estate)
• Arranging for family to collect items they wish to keep.
• Arranging clearance of the property.
• Marketing the property
• Maintaining the property (winter drain-down and payment of service charge etc)
• Corresponding with life insurance companies / claiming on policies.
• Encashing assets – filling in claim/encashment forms.
• Arranging for sale of shares – dealing with missing certificates.
• Complying with all deadlines (re tax, payment of legacies, council tax etc)
• Drafting deeds of variation where necessary.
• Paying all legacies, disbursements and expenses.
• Double-checking all liabilities are settled.
• Drawing up estate accounts giving a full picture of the administration – showing all assets, debts, expenses, legacies, income and distributions.
• Getting approval of estate accounts from all residuary beneficiaries.
• Arranging bankruptcy searches to protect the executors.
• Ensuring deadlines have passed regarding claims against the estate.
• Paying funds to beneficiaries.
• Issuing tax certificates for all beneficiaries who require them.
• Arranging storage of files and returning papers to family if necessary.

Conveyancing services are quoted for separately and our conveyancing team will be happy to provide a quote for this service.

We can obtain a grant of probate for a non-taxable estate within 2 weeks. We typically finalise a full administration in 6 to 8 months. Simple estates will be considerably quicker. Complex estates may be longer. We use the advanced case management systems to ensure the administration is progressed in the fastest possible time.

Who will be helping you?

For information about members of our team who will be helping you with the probate and administration of the estate, please visit our Wills, Probate & Tax Planning page.