Private Client Costs

Probate (Applying for Grant, collecting and distributing assets)

This estimate is based on Estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There are no more than two bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are 1-4 beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
• There are no claims made against the estate

Professional Fees from £2,500.00 (plus VAT at a rate of 20%)		Additional costs (on top of Professional fees + VAT)
Estimation of 5-8 hours work		No valid Will
Directors	£295.00 per hour	Shareholdings (Stocks and Bonds)
Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years' experience	£295.00 per hour	Additional copies of the grant	£1.50
Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years' experience	£255.00 per hour
Other solicitors or legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience	£215.00 per hour
Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners	£155.00 per hour
+ AML ID fee (Per person)	£20.00 plus VAT
Disbursements (no VAT)
Probate application Fee	£273.00
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (Per Beneficiary)	£2.00

The Professional fees we charge will vary based on the following factors:

• Value of the Estate
• Experience of the Fee earner
• Complexity
• Number of beneficiaries
• Whether a property is involved (Sale or transfer of a property is not included)
• Multiple bank accounts

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Timescales

The Timescale for the completion of an administration of an estate depends upon a range of factors. However, on average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within approximately 912 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of representation can currently take between 16-22 weeks following submission although longer if a postal application shall be required to be submitted. Collecting assets then follows, which can take approximately between 4-6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the net estate, which normally takes 2-3 weeks.

 

Applying For Grant Only

Professional fees from £1,500 Plus VAT (non-completion IHT Full Account) and from £2,500 plus VAT (completion of Full IHT Account required)		Additional costs (on top of Professional fees + VAT)
+ AML ID fee (Per person)	£20.00 plus VAT	Additional copies of the grant	£1.50
Disbursements (no VAT)
Probate application Fee	£273.00
Post in London Gazette	Approx. £85.00 plus VAT
Post in Local Newspaper	Approx. £150-200 plus VAT

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

As part of our fixed fee we will:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate advisor to work on your matter
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require

Based upon the information provided to us by the Executors regarding assets and liabilities of Estates we will;

• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
• Draft a legal oath for you to swear
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you

Timescales

Obtaining the Grant of Representation can currently take between 16-22 weeks following submission although longer if a postal application shall be required to be submitted.

 

Wills

Professional Fees from (Plus VAT at a rate of 20%)
Single Will (1 person)	£350.00
Mirror Will (2 people)	£500.00

The Professional fees we charge will vary based on the following factors:

• Experience of the Fee earner
• Complexity of the Will
• Trusts

Timescales

Usually draft wills are sent out for approval within 7 to 10 days of the initial meeting with the client.

 

Lasting Powers Of Attorney

Professional Fees from (Plus VAT at a rate of 20%)
Preparation and Registration of one LPA	£375.00
Preparation and Registration of two LPAs	£500.00
Preparation and Registration of four LPAs (i.e. where Husband and Wife are doing both types)	£850.00
+ AML ID fee (Per person)	£20.00
Disbursements (no VAT)
Office of Public Guardian Registration Fee (per POA)	£82.00

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Timescales

We can prepare your Lasting Powers of Attorney swiftly although the current timescales for registration with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is 20 weeks following submission.