For a straightforward estate, our fixed fee is £1,080 including VAT. That covers obtaining the grant of probate, collecting the assets and distributing them to the beneficiaries. Third-party costs, such as the probate application fee, are paid on top.
What the fixed fee covers
- A dedicated probate solicitor for the whole matter
- Working out which type of probate application you need
- Completing the probate application and the HMRC forms
- Applying to the Probate Registry and sending you two copies of the grant
- Collecting the assets and distributing them to the beneficiaries
The fee is £900 for our legal work plus £180 VAT.
Costs paid to others
These are called disbursements. We pay them on your behalf so the process runs smoothly.
| Disbursement | Cost |
|---|---|
| Probate application fee | Set by HM Courts and Tribunals Service, see GOV.UK |
| Swearing of the oath, per executor | £12 to £30 |
| Bankruptcy searches, per beneficiary | £2 |
| Notice in The London Gazette | £104.52 |
| Notice in a local newspaper | £300 to £600 |
| Extra copies of the grant | £10 each |
The two notices protect the executors against claims from creditors they did not know about.
When an estate is straightforward
The fixed fee assumes there is a valid will, no more than one property and one bank account, between one and five beneficiaries, no inheritance tax to pay, and no disputes or claims against the estate.
When it costs more
If there is no will, the estate includes shares, or there are several properties or accounts, there is more work to do. We expect an estate that is not straightforward to take between 15 and 30 hours at an average of £200 an hour, and we will give you a quote once we know more. If the estate is small, under £10,000, we can agree a fixed fee.
Selling or transferring a property in the estate is not part of the probate fee. Our conveyancing team can give you a separate quote.
How long it takes
Estates within our fixed fee range usually take 4 to 8 months. Getting the grant of probate typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, collecting the assets 8 to 12 weeks, and distributing them 2 to 4 weeks.
Talk to us
Your first 30-minute consultation is free and confidential, and you can speak to us in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic, Hindi or Pashto. Call 0161 660 1505 or read more about our probate service.
This article is general information about the law in England and Wales at the date above. It is not legal advice on your situation. Please contact us before acting on it.
