Probate Information and Rates

Probate principals & hourly charge out rates 

• Partners £150 - £300 + VAT
• Managers £90 - £120 + VAT
• Other staff £35 - £85 + VAT

Fees

Our fees can vary and depend on the size and complexity of each probate case. 

Gross estate value £325,000 - £1,000,000:
£5,000 - £25,000 fee + VAT

Gross estate value £1,000,000 +:
Fees by agreement during estate administration period.  

If there is a change in fees, we will notify you as soon as possible. 

Process

We handle the entire probate case from beginning to end and keep executors updated along the way. 

• Collate information of assets and liabilities – estate value
  
• Draft probate and IHT forms to obtain Grant of Probate 
• Complete Gazette notice and local newspaper advert 
• Estate administration – collect monies and pay liabilities 
• Update executors regularly via email / telephone / face to face meetings 
• Submit self-assessment tax returns for estate income 
• Make payments to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will
• Generate estate accounts 
• Apply for HMRC clearance to wind up estate 

Please note we cannot deal with contentious probate. 

Disbursements

These are costs payable to third parties such as:

• Probate fee
  
• Office copies of Grant of Probate
• Gazette notice 
• Local Newspaper notice 

Time Scales

A straightforward estate usually takes between 6-18 months to complete. This timescale is purely dependent on the profile of the assets involved. 

A complex estate can take longer than this to settle and an estimate to complete can be provided every 6 months. 

We provide accurate time scales once we know the size of the estate and the work involved. 

Key Milestones

• Collate assets and liabilities details and apply for probate 
• Obtain Grant of Probate 
• Gazette and Local Newspaper notice and open designated client account 
• Collect assets
• Settle liabilities 
• Contact beneficiaries and distribute funds in accordance with the Will 
• Produce Estate Accounts for executors and residuary beneficiaries 
• Apply for HMRC clearance 
• Wind up estate