Probate

We offer a simple, practical service to help you deal with the challenges of applying for Probate and with the overall administration of the estate. Applying for the grant only. We will always try to give an estimate of the total cost of the work, once the extent of the estate is known. This will usually be from £1,500 plus VAT upwards depending on which IHT form needs to be completed and the size of the estate. We are happy to agree a fixed fee for this work. Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets This depends on the size and character of the estate. Our hourly rates appear below. We will always try to give an estimate of the total cost of the work, once the extent of the estate is known. We shall also discuss with the personal representatives and beneficiaries any work that can be shared in order to limit the cost. On occasion a percentage of the estate value will be charged. If, for example, there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property or properties and multiple bank accounts and assets, costs will be higher. Disbursements are expenses that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We can handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. Typical disbursements are as follows:

• • Probate application fee of £273

• • Copies of the Grant £1.50 per copy

• • Bankruptcy – only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)

• • Placing Statutory Notices of the administration of the estate: POA

Potential additional costs If there is no Will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds), or other complexities such as overseas beneficiaries or complex investments, there are likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. There is usually a Probate Court fee of £273 (plus £1.50 for each official copy). There can also be fees for Will searches, property and shares valuations, advertisements for creditors or missing beneficiaries, and indemnity insurance. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information. Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

Name:	Position:	Hourly Rate excluding VAT (£):	Date qualified as a solicitor or other status:
Christopher Seddon	Senior solicitor and Head of Wealth Management	£325	15/11/80
Lucy Stockill	Trainee Solicitor	£165	Trainee Solicitor

References to “VAT” is to Value Added Tax at the standard rate which is currently 20%.  Disbursements may also be subject to VAT. How long will this take? Applying for the grant only. We pride ourselves in proceeding with applications as quickly as possible, However, where a more complex Inheritance Tax Return is required, the process can take longer. Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 9-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 3-6 months. Collecting assets and paying liabilities then follows, which can take between 2-4 months. Once this has been done, we are able to begin distributing the assets, which normally takes 1-2 months. Timescales differ and depend on the responsiveness of external organisations. For further information on any member of our team please visit our Team page.