Grant only (£625 plus VAT @ 20%)

Probate or Letters of Administration

This service includes:

• Meeting with you to take your instructions and obtain the details of the assets and liabilities of the estate from you
• Preparation of the IHT205 (Inheritance Tax return) and the oath (together the ‘Grant application’)
• Meeting with you to approve and sign the Grant application
• Submission of the Grant application to the probate court
• Providing you with the Grant for you to continue the administration of the estate.

Grant Application with IHT400 (FROM £950 plus VAT @ 20%)

No Inheritance Tax Payable

On occasion it may be that the Grant application requires the completion of a longer form inheritance tax account (IHT400) even though there is no inheritance tax to pay.

This service includes:

• Meeting with you to take your instructions and obtain the details of the assets and liabilities of the estate from you
• Preparation of the IHT400 (Inheritance Tax return) and Schedules  and the oath (together the ‘Grant application’)
• Meeting with you to approve and sign the Grant application
• Submission of the IHT400 account to HM Revenue & Customs
• Submission of the Grant application to the probate court
• Providing you with the Grant for you to continue the administration of the estate.

Please note:

The fixed fee Grant applications outlined above are subject to further costs should you need us to assist in identifying and / or valuing the assets & / or liabilities of the estate. Such additional work would be the subject of an additional fee.

The timescales for the above mentioned Grant applications can take between 6-8 months depending upon timeframe with HM Courts & Tribunal Service.

Full Estate Administration

See fee scale below

This service includes:

• Meeting with you to take your instructions
• Writing letters to inform asset holders of the death and to freeze and value the estate
• Preparation of the IHT205 (Inheritance Tax return) or the IHT400 (Inheritance Tax account) as appropriate
• Preparation of the relevant oath
• Meeting with you to approve and sign the Grant application
• Arranging for payment of any inheritance tax payable (if applicable)
• Submission of the Grant application to the probate court
• Providing copies of the Grant (and any proven Will) to the executors and the beneficiaries
• Collecting in the assets of the estate (eg, closing bank accounts, overseeing share sales / transfers, cashing policies, completing property transfers)
• Settling the income tax affairs of the deceased person
• Discharging the liabilities of the estate (paying any debts owed by the estate)
• Paying legacies
• Preparing estate accounts for approval
• Finalising the tax affairs for the period of the administration
• Distribution of the estate to the beneficiaries

Full Estate Administration Fee Scale

Our fees for Full Estate Administration (as illustrated above) vary depending upon the complexity of the estate and the amount of work undertaken by the firm. An indication of our fees are set out below by reference to the value of the estate in an attempt to illustrate the charges linked to varying complexities. However, it may be that the nature of the assets mean that lower or higher fees may be incurred. That’s why we always give you written costs information at the start of your matter, taking into consideration the nature of the assets, the contribution you will make and any other relevant factors then apparent. We regularly review the costs involved and inform you of any necessary adjustments so that you stay in control of the fees being incurred at all times.

Estate Value up to £150,000

Hourly rate charge £175 - £300 + VAT (20%)

Average range of fees: £1,200 – £2,000 + VAT (20%)

Estate Value £150,000 - £325,000

Hourly rate charge £175 - £300 + VAT (20%)

Average range of fees: £3,000 – £4,000 +VAT plus 1% value fee

Estate Value £325,000 - £900,000

Hourly rate charge £175 - £300 + VAT (20%)

Average range of fees: £3,500 – £6,000 +VAT plus 1% value fee

Estate Value in excess of £900,000

Hourly rate charge £175 - £300 + VAT (20%)

Please contact us to discuss the nature of the estate in order that we can provide you with a bespoke costs estimate.

Additional Costs (also known as disbursements)

Additional costs (known as disbursements) that you may incur as part of the process include:

• probate registry - £300 plus £1.50 per copy Grant required
• land registry fees - Range from £20 - £1105 depending on the value of the property
• adverts for unknown creditors - Approximately £250 plus VAT (20%)
• asset search fees - Approximately £220 plus Vat (20%)
• bankruptcy search fees  £2 plus VAT (20%) per search

In certain, but not all cases, you may also be required to pay further monies such as accountancy fees, fees relating to lost or stolen share certificates, the cost of insurance to protect you if a beneficiary cannot be located or genealogist’s fees but each matter will depend upon its unique circumstances. The fees for each of these will be unique to the case. We will usually be able to give you a clear indication of the monies that will be required to be spent on your behalf at the outset of the matter.

Not all of these disbursements will be incurred in every case and you will be advised of the ones relevant to your matter and the likely cost as appropriate. Our fees and any disbursements incurred are liabilities of the estate and will be settled by the estate (after approval by the Executors) before distribution.

The timescales for Full Estate Administration can take between 6 months to 2 years depending on the complexity of the estate.