PROBATE FEES

1. Fixed fee to obtain the Grant of Probate only in an excepted estate (an estate where we are not required to file a full Inheritance Tax return prior to applying for the Grant of Probate)
   
   £1,020 (Legal Fee of £850 plus VAT £170)
   
   This includes the cost of identifying the type of application required contacting asset holders and creditors to obtain and collate the information required to apply for the Grant of Probate, completing the Legal Statement (which is the documents used to apply for the Grant of Probate in an excepted estate) and providing you with the sealed copy of the Grant of Probate.
   
   Should you wish to instruct us to also then collect and distribute the estate assets on your behalf then our typical administration fee would instead be:
   
   £1,500 (Legal fee of £1,250 plus VAT £250) This includes our costs of completing and submitting application forms and requests for funds.
   
   The process and time involved. It is necessary to obtain death date values for the assets in the estate (e.g. property and bank accounts) this typically takes between 3-6 weeks. Thereafter one the application for probate has been submitted it is currently taking the Probate Registry around 6-8 weeks to issue the Grant of Probate. Where asset holders delay in providing information or when the Probate Registry is backlogged these times can take longer. The timescales involved in claiming the estate assets can vary considerably between different asset holders but a period of 3-6 weeks for bank accounts is usual. Where asset holders delay in providing information or when the Probate Registry is backlogged these times can take longer.
   
   
2. Fixed fee to obtain the Grant of Probate where a full Inheritance Tax return must be submitted before applying for the Grant of Probate but where there is no Inheritance Tax to pay:
   
   £1,680 (Legal fee of £1,400 plus VAT £280)
   
   This includes the costs of collating the information required to complete and submit the IHT400 Inheritance Tax return (and the associated supplementary forms) and thereafter completing the Legal Statement to apply for the Grant of Probate and providing you with the sealed copy of the Grant of Probate.
   
   The process and time involved. It is necessary to obtain death date values for the assets in the estate (e.g. property and bank accounts) this typically takes between 3-6 weeks. Thereafter and Inheritance Tax return must be submitted to HMRC and approved by them. This typically takes between 4-8 weeks. Thereafter one the application for probate has been submitted it is currently taking the Probate Registry around 6-8 weeks to issue the Grant of Probate. Where asset holders delay in providing information or releasing funds or when the Probate Registry is backlogged these times can take longer.
   
   
3. Fixed fee to obtain the Grant of Probate where a full Inheritance Tax return must be submitted and Inheritance Tax paid before applying from the Grant of Probate.
   
   £2,160 (Legal fee of £1,800 plus VAT £360)
   
   This includes the costs of collating the information required to complete and submit the IHT400 Inheritance Tax return (and the associated supplementary forms) and liaising with the asset holders to arrange for the payment of Inheritance Tax and thereafter completing the Legal Statement to apply for the Grant of Probate and providing you with the sealed copy of the Grant of Probate.
   
   The process and time involved. It is necessary to obtain death date values for the assets in the estate (e.g. property and bank accounts) this typically takes between 3-6 weeks. Thereafter and Inheritance Tax return must be submitted to HMRC and approved by them. This typically takes between 4-8 weeks. We must then liaise with asset holders for a contribution towards the Inheritance Tax liability and obtain confirmation from HMRC that they have received payment. This would also usually take a further 3-6 weeks. Thereafter one the application for probate has been submitted it is currently taking the Probate Registry around 6-8 weeks to issue the Grant of Probate. Where asset holders delay in providing information or releasing funds or when the Probate Registry is backlogged these times can take longer.
   
   
4. Administration fee to collect and distribute the estate where a full Inheritance Tax return is required.
   
   Such estates tend to involve more numerous accounts than the excepted estates referred to above. Should you wish to instruct us to collect and distribute the estate assets on your behalf in cases 2 and 3 (where a full Inheritance Tax return is required) then our fee will depend on the number of assets and beneficiaries involved but by way of example:
   a) 4 main beneficiaries or less, 5 bank/investment accounts or less - £480 (Legal fee £400 plus VAT £80)
   b) 4 main beneficiaries of less. 5 bank/investment accounts or less; shareholdings - £720
   (Legal Fee £600 plus VAT £120)
   c) more than 5 beneficiaries and/or more than 5 accounts or shares - £960 + (Legal Fee £800 plus £160)
   
   
5. Costs not included in the above.
   
   In some cases the estate and/or individual beneficiaries may be required to complete an income tax return and/or a capital gains tax return.
   
   The costs of contentious legal proceedings relating to the estate are not included.
   
   
6. Sale of Property
   This would be in accordance with our standard conveyancing fee.
   
   
7. Disbursements.
   These are costs relating to the administration of the estate payable to third parties, such as the Probate Registry fee.
   The likely probate expenses are:
   (a) The Court fee is £300 plus £1.50 per official copy of the Grant of Probate (this is likely to increase shortly Parliamentary time permitting).
   (b) Affidavit swear fee - this only now applies in a minority of probate applications but would typically be around £7
   (c) Bankruptcy search fees – these cost £2 per beneficiary
   (d) Land Registry document fee - £3
   (e) A Land Registry fee if there is property to transfer to a beneficiary. This varies with the value of the land and is a Government fee. If it is applicable, I will advise you of the cost once the value of the property is established.
   (f) Occasionally it might be necessary for Personal Representatives to obtain professional valuations of land or personal effects.
   (g) The cost of advertising for creditors if you feel that this is appropriate. This varies from case to case but would typically be around £100 to advertise in the London Gazette and at least £80 to advertise within the locality of the deceased’s address
   (h) In some cases it may be necessary to pay registrars fees for the sale or transfer of shareholdings these vary considerably.