Probate costs and services

As a Firm we seek to ensure that we offer the most suitable method of funding for our clients.

How much does probate cost?

Application for the Grant of Probate Only

For a straightforward Grant application we offer a fixed fee of £1,500, plus VAT of £300 (total £1,800), plus disbursements which are set out below. If the application involves more complex issues, additional fees will be charged as uplifts to the straightforward fee. Examples of uplifts could be:

• Statement of Truth, Deed or Power of Attorney required – £300 plus VAT of £60 (total £360) per document
• HMRC IHT400 full account required for taxable or non-taxable estate – £1,900 plus VAT of £380 (total £2,280)
• Deceased was domiciled overseas at date of death – £2,000 plus VAT of £340 (total £2,400)

Our fixed fee Grant of Probate application service includes:

• Face-to-face, video or telephone consultation with the Executors or Personal Representatives explaining the process.
• Identifying the type of Probate Application required.
• Obtaining all figures and information required from the Executors or Personal Representatives.
• Preparing the Probate Application and all supporting statements and affidavits, if required (either online or paper based), for your review and approval.
• Preparing the relevant HMRC calculations for your review and approval.
• Make the submissions to the Probate Registry and HM Revenue and Customs on your behalf.
• Providing you with the original Grant of Probate, once obtained, plus certified copies for your convenience.

Any additional work not included above, will be charged at the file handler’s hourly rate.

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 4-8 months. 

Full Administration of an estate

This includes writing to Banks and Building Societies for the balances of accounts as at the date of death, obtaining valuations of Properties and investments, obtaining details of any debts, applying for the Grant, collecting assets, paying debts and distributing the Estate in accordance with the Last Will or Law of Intestacy.

The exact cost will depend on the complexity of the Estate. Where estates become more complex and further additional work is needed, the costs will increase in line with our standard hourly rates. Examples of how the complexity can increase may be the following:

• Matters where there is no will and the deceased left no surviving spouse or adult children
• Registration of the death
• Where the Estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds)
• Where the deceased was domiciled abroad
• Transfer of the spouses Nil Rate band or Residential Nil Rate Band
• Completion of the IHT400 full account for HMRC
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the Estate
• Dealing with the variation of the Estate (Drafting a Deed of Variation)
• Dealing with any disputes that may arise
• Minority interest requiring nomination of co-administrator
• Power of attorney
• Affidavit (e.g. of due execution) or other Order required.
• Mental capacity issues requiring medical certification and Court of Protection

Factors that can influence probate costs

There are a number of different factors that can influence how much probate costs, such as:

• The value and complexity of your estate
• Number of beneficiaries
• Whether property is solely or jointly owned
• Inheritance tax issues
• Trust administration if estate creates a trust
• Where no will has been made or a will is deemed invalid
• If a will has been disputed or contested

What are disbursements when discussing probate costs?

Disbursements in probate are costs that relate to your probate application that are payable to any third-party (essentially, any money your solicitor will be required to pay to another organisation or individual in the process of managing probate). This could include:

    Probate application fee – £300 (no VAT)

    Sealed copies of the Grant – £16 per copy (no VAT)

    Bankruptcy searches – £6 per UK resident beneficiary & the deceased

    Bankruptcy searches – to be advised

    Land registry searches – £7 per property (no VAT)

    Certainty will search – £95 plus VAT (£114)

    Section 27 Notice – London Gazette £96 (inc. VAT) Local paper -to be advised.

Why choose Davisons Law?

Depending on the will, the estate and the beneficiaries, carrying out your duties as an executor or administrator can be complicated and time consuming. While you are allowed to pay yourself any expenses back from the estate, you are not entitled to a reimbursement of your time. However, you can use legal representation to assist you. Our professional fees can be paid from the estate.

Our probate solicitors can assist you with tasks such as:

• Applying for a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration.
• Identifying and collecting in assets of the estate and identifying and paying any outstanding debts of the estate
• Considering and settling the tax position of the estate
• Communicating with the beneficiaries and distributing according to the will.
• If there is no will, distributing the estate according to the rules of intestacy.