Probate Fees Explained

Probate

Regardless of whether the size of the deceased’s estate, applying for a probate can be a demanding and onerous procedure. Our expert lawyers can help you through this journey, making the process as seamless as possible so the pressure is taken off you. Where you instruct us so, we can also undertake administration of the estate, which comprises collecting and distributing of assets.

One member of our team will be assigned to your case, who will conduct most of the work for you. Although, we will involve our other team members where it is appropriate so the work is carried out at the right level.

Understandably, if you are an executor or administrator of an estate, you may be considering instructing a solicitor and are wondering about the legal costs involved. We can thus give you an overview of the services, and costs for those services.

If you have any further questions, please contact us on 0208 548 9402.

The services we provide:

We will:

• assign a dedicated and experienced solicitor to work on your case, who will be available at all times to provide you with regular updates;

• identify the legally appointed executors or administrators as well as beneficiaries of the estate;

• ascertain the kind of probate application you will need to make;

• inform you of and obtain the relevant documents needed to make the application;

• complete the application for probate and the relevant HMRC forms;

• draft a statement of truth or affidavits needed with the applications;

• lodge an application with the Probate Registry on your behalf;

• obtain the probate, and furnish copies of the same to you; and,

• If instructed to do so, collect and distribute the assets in the estate appropriately.

How long will the process take?

The timescale of each case is slightly different, because each estate is different. On average, probate applications take up to 8 weeks to process.

There are certain factors which could delay this timescale, such as follows:

• If the estate includes land or property, as opposed to just money and personal possessions;

• If the estate contains overseas assets;

• How speedily the information and documents relating to the probate are obtained;

• Whether there is a dispute relating to your case, as the people disputing can bar the probate application at the Probate Registry;

• Not being able to locate the original will or codicils;

• If inheritance tax is payable. This causes a delay since we would need to declare the estate to HMRC;

• If the will is invalid or improperly drafted; or,

• If it is difficult to ascertain what the estate consists of, due to a lack of records, etc.

We will be able to provide you with an appropriate timescale for your case when we review the same.

We will ensure that we fully explain:

• How we calculate our fees;

• The likely costs involved in dealing with your case;

• Any additional costs that may be incurred during the transaction or proceedings; and,

• Any costs that you may recover from, or have to pay to the other party.

Depending on your particular situation, we may offer the following funding options:

Fixed Fee

For a fixed fee option, a lawyer will assess your case preliminarily, and confirm to you a fixed fee to deal with your case. This gives you cost certainty in achieving a particular resolution. For some areas, we are able to confirm fixed fees in stages, which gives you even more flexibility.

Agreed Hourly Rate

This is the traditional fee structure. For this option, a lawyer will assess your case preliminarily, and provide a fully flexible fee option on an hour by hour basis. You will be given information about the likely overall cost of your matter, and you will be updated as to the costs incurred approximately every three months.

Probate Fees and Charges

How much does this service cost?

Before we know anything about the nature and complexity of a particular estate, it is very difficult to estimate the cost of obtaining a probate. We can provide an accurate quote to you based on your individual circumstances, and we can also advise on the suitable fee options.

Call us today on 0208 548 9402 for one of our specialist solicitors to provide you with an estimate.

Nonetheless, we can provide estimates to give you an idea of how much the costs for obtaining probate usually are:

Probate Fees

Our fee to obtain a Grant of Probate in England & Wales (excluding VAT):

Where the net estate is under £325,000: £1,150 - £3,500
Where the net estate is over £325,000: £3,000 - £6,500

Fees for carrying out Administration of Estate

Our fee for administering an estate depends on the gross value of the estate, your location and the complexity of your case range.

You would be informed of any increase to our estimated fees prior to us carrying out any further work.

The fee is usually between 1% to 4% of the gross estate (minimum fee £3,000 - £11,000) alongside an hourly rate (£240 to £325 plus VAT).

We anticipate that administration will take between 5 and 10 hours of work.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is only one beneficiary and no property, costs will be on the lower end. However, if there are multiple beneficiaries, there is a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be on a higher end.

Disbursements: 

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, e.g. court fees. We will handle payment of disbursements on behalf of you to ensure a smoother process.

The following disbursements are likely to be payable in your case:

• Probate Registry Fee: £155;

• Fee per copy of Probate: £1.50;

• Bankruptcy-only Search: £2 (per beneficiary);

• Post in The London Gazette: £71, which will protect you against unexpected claims from unknown creditors; and,

• Post in the Local Newspaper: £110, which will also help protect you against unexpected claims.

Potential Additional Costs 

There may be complex factors in your case, which means that additional costs will be charged. Some of these factors are as follows:

• If there is no will, the will is invalid or badly drafted, or the estate consists of shareholdings (stocks and bonds), there is likely to be an additional fee. This fee depends on the estate and how the complexity is to be dealt with;

• If any additional copies of the grant are required, this will cost £1.50 per copy; and

• If you require us to deal with the sale or transfer of a property or other asset consisting monies, an additional fee will charged depending on the complexity.

If you would like more advice, please feel free to speak in confidence with our Solicitors in Chadwell Heath Romford, London Borough of Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham by calling 0208 548 9402 or emailing admin@robinsonravani.com.

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Whether you have questions, or would like to instruct a solicitor, please feel free to speak in confidence to one of our team members.

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