Probate and Estate Administration

We understand that dealing with an estate can be a very difficult and emotional time. We are committed to being open and transparent about our fees, so that you can understand how our charges for administering estates are calculated, what work is included, and what additional costs may arise. 

We generally charge for probate and estate administration work on a time-spent (hourly rate) basis. However, we do not charge any percentage or value-based element in relation to the estate. 

All our fees set out below are exclusive of VAT, which will be charged at the prevailing rate. 

How we charge

We will provide you with a personalised estimate of costs once the scope and complexity of the estate are known. 

Our current hourly rates (exclusive of VAT) are: 

Fee Earner Catagory	Experience	Hourly Rate
Category A	Solicitors and chartered legal executives with 8+ years’ experience	£295
Category B	Solicitors and chartered legal executives with over 4 years’ experience	£260
Category C	Other solicitors, chartered legal executives, and fee earners of similar experience	£220
Category D	Trainee solicitors and chartered legal executives of similar experience	£175
Category E	Paralegals and fee earners of similar experience	130

Work may be carried out by different members of our team depending on the nature and complexity of the matter. We will keep you informed of who is working on your case and will update you if circumstances change. 

Comparing Basic and Complex Estates 

The following lists are not exhaustive. Generally, the more complex an estate, the longer it will take to administer, and the higher our fees are likely to be.

 

Basic Estate	Complex Estate
A valid Will	Intestacy (no Will)
One or two executors	Multiple properties
No more than one property	Multiple bank accounts
No more than 2 – 3 bank accounts	Intangible assets
No intangible assets	Multiple beneficiaries
There are 1 or 2 beneficiaries	Disputes among beneficiaries
No disputes among beneficiaries or executors	Requirement to submit a full Inheritance Tax Account
No Inheritance Tax payable	Dispute between executors or beneficiaries
No claims brought against the estate	Claim against the estate
No trusts	Debts of the deceased
	Lifetime gifting
	Business, agricultural or foreign assets
	Trusts under the Will or existing
	Valuations challenged by HMRC
Typically from £1,500 to £5,500 plus VAT and disbursements	Typically from £2,500 to £20,000+ plus VAT and disbursements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In some cases, we can offer a Grant Only service for a Basic Estate, where we undertake the work for a fixed fee, which will be agreed with you in advance, typically from £800 - £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements. This service is limited to preparing and submitting the probate application based on information provided by you. We do not independently verify or obtain valuations under this service and rely on the figures you supply when completing the probate and any associated inheritance tax forms. Responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the valuation information therefore remains with you. 

Fees are estimates and subject to change based on complexity and the actual work required. 

Disbursements

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.  Disbursements which are likely to be payable in connection with probate matters are detailed below.  Not all of these payments will be necessary in every case and are subject to change: 

• Probate application fee for Estates over £5,000: £300.00  

• Probate application fee for Estates under £5,000: £0.00 

• Probate office fee for additional sealed copy of the grant required: £16.00 (per copy) 

• Second application (any value): £21.00 

• S.27 Trustee Act Notice in The London Gazette: £98 plus VAT (to advertise for unknown creditors) 

• S.27 Trustee Act Notice in the Local Paper: £100 - £250 plus VAT (to advertise for unknown creditors and protect against unexpected claims) 

• Will Search: POA.  These searches can be carried in all cases but are strongly advised especially in the case of an intestacy (where there is no Will).  The searches can help to establish whether or not the deceased person had a will and where the most up to date will is held.  There are different levels of search available at varying costs.  The service quoted above includes a search of all registered Wills and will also contact local firms to see if they are holding a Will for the person that has died.    

What’s Included in Full Administration 

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate practitioner to work on your matter 

• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries 

• Accurately identify the type of grant of representation you will require 

• Obtain the relevant documents and information required to make the application 

• Prepare the relevant HMRC forms for submission (where applicable) 

• Prepare a Legal Statement for you to sign 

• Make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf 

• Collect and distribute all assets in the estate 

• Calculate and report estate income and gains (where applicable) 

• Prepare estate accounts showing the assets and liabilities of the estate and how it is to be distributed 

Two-Stage Quoting Structure 

To provide transparency and ensure our fees reflect the actual work required, we operate a two-stage quoting system for estate administration: 

1. Stage 1 – To the Grant  

• Hourly rates estimate for obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. 

• Includes reviewing the Will, advising executors, preparing and submitting the probate application, dealing with routine Probate Registry requisitions, and providing the sealed Grant. 

2. Stage 2 – To complete the Estate Administration 

• Further estimate provided after the Grant for completing the administration of the estate. 

• Includes collecting and realising assets, paying liabilities, corresponding with asset holders and beneficiaries, preparing estate accounts, and distributing the estate. 

• Estimate is based on the full extent and complexity of the estate as revealed after Grant.

Please note: This two-stage approach allows us to provide a more accurate fee for full administration. Actual costs depend on the work required and any factors outside our control, including disbursements. 

Matters Outside the Scope of Our Standard Probate Services 

Unless specifically agreed, our probate fees do not include: 

• Contentious or disputed matters  

• Claims against the estate 

• Conveyancing or sale of property 

• Ongoing trust administration beyond the estate 

• Business or company restructuring 

• Foreign assets 

• Complex tax planning advice 

• HMRC investigations 

If any of these issues arise, we will discuss them with you and agree a separate scope of work and fees as specialist advice may be required. 

Timescales 

It is difficult to say exactly how long it will take to deal with an estate, especially if there is a property to sell or if it is a taxable estate and HMRC make enquiries into the Inheritance Tax account.  

For a very straightforward estate, the administration process may take less than 6 months from the date we are instructed. However, larger or more complex estates can take anywhere between 6 and 36 months, and in some cases even longer, to fully administer. Please bear in mind that certain aspects of the process, such as obtaining valuations and dealing with HMRC and the Probate Registry, are outside of our control and may affect timescales. However, in all cases, we will keep you regularly updated on progress throughout the administration. 

 

Wills 

Single (Simple) £375 + VAT

Mirror Wills (Simple) £450 + VAT

Any more complex Will (Trusts etc) - Fee earner's hourly rate

Advising Re IPFDA/preparing side letter regarding claims £50 + VAT

Severance of Joint Tenancy - £100 + VAT

 

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Single for one person £350 + VAT (plus registration fees)

Double for one person/one for couple £450 + VAT (plus registration fees)

Double for married couple  £600 + VAT (plus registration fees)

Certification of Lasting Powers of Attorney £25 + VAT per copy

Registration of Enduring Power of Attorney - Fee earner's hourly rate

Powers of Attorney Registration fees applicable as at 17.11.25 - £92 per document (a reduction of registration fees may be applicable)