Probate Fees

Our Probate Fees

• Obtaining the grant of representation where a standard inheritance tax return is required – Our Costs £1695.00 plus VAT (£339.00) plus the court fee £273.00 (plus an additional £1.50 per additional copy of the grant requested). Usually not more than five additional copies are requested/required therefore the total court fee is not likely to exceed £280.50 and on this basis the total fixed costs will therefore be £2307.00
• Obtaining the grant of representation where a full inheritance tax return is required – Our costs £2,100.00 plus VAT (£420.00) plus the court fee £273.00 (plus an additional £1.50 per additional copy of the grant requested). Usually not more than five additional copies are requested/required therefore the total court fee is not likely to exceed £280.50. The total fixed costs will therefore be £2800.50
• Winding up an estate – the charges relating to such work are assessed on a case by case basis as all estates differ, however our charges will usually be a fixed fee ranging from 3.5% up to 5% of the net estate value (the value of the estate after all debts and liabilities (excluding Inheritance Tax) associated with the estate have been settled) depending on the complexity of the estate plus VAT plus the court fee £273.00 (plus an additional £1.50 per additional copy of the grant requested). Usually not more than five additional copies are requested/required therefore the total court fee is not likely to exceed £280.50. For example;
  • If an estate had a net value of £150,000.00 and was charged at 3.5% the fixed fee in connection with the same would be £5250.00 plus VAT (£1050.00) plus the court fee (£280.50) giving a total cost of £6580.50.
  • If an estate had a net value of £150,000.00 and was charged at 4% the fixed fee in connection with the same would be £6000.00 plus VAT (£1200.00) plus the court fee (£280.50) giving a total cost of £7480.50.

However please note…

– We estimate 80% of cases dealt with under option three usually attract a fixed fee of 3.5% of the net estate.

– Should a property, or properties need to be sold when dealing with an estate, or after obtaining a grant of representation a separate cost quote will be provided by our conveyancing department.

– There may be additional fees such as asset searches, statutory notices and property valuation fees and other third party professional charges which do not apply to every case and will be quoted on a case by case basis if applicable.

Timescales

In cases where we only obtain the grant of representation we would estimate this usually takes up to ten weeks unless is exceptional circumstances. During the COVID-19 interruptions, we would suggest that 24 weeks is more realistic.

Where we deal with the whole estate we give a time estimate of six to twelve months for completion. However this is subject to the complexity of each matter and we will discuss that with you at the outset.

People carrying out your work

Julia Gibbons, our Managing Director and Solicitor with more than 22 years experience will carry out your matter and she is assisted by Gina Hopkinson.