How much does probate cost?
Our fixed fee for a straightforward estate, the third-party costs on top, and what makes an estate cost more.
Personal services
Probate Solicitors in Manchester
Losing someone close is difficult enough. Our Manchester probate solicitors take the administration off your hands, from obtaining the grant of probate to collecting and distributing the estate, with a fixed fee for straightforward estates.
Fixed fee probate
For a straightforward estate, we charge a fixed fee of £1,080 including VAT. This covers obtaining the grant of probate, collecting the assets and distributing them.
| Breakdown of costs | Amount |
|---|---|
| Legal fees | £900.00 |
| VAT on legal fees | £180.00 |
| Total fixed fee | £1,080.00 |
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties, such as court fees. We pay them on your behalf to make the process smoother. Where VAT applies, it is included at 20%.
| 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-only Land Charges searches, per beneficiary | £2.00 |
| Notice in The London Gazette: protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors | £104.52 |
| Notice in a local newspaper: also helps protect against unexpected claims | £300 to £600 |
The probate application fee is set by HM Courts and Tribunals Service and changes from time to time. Check the current fee on GOV.UK; we confirm the exact figure when we take your instructions.
As part of our fixed fee we will
- Provide a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
- Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and the beneficiaries
- Identify the type of probate application you need
- Obtain the 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 Registry on your behalf
- Obtain the grant of probate and securely send two copies to you
- Collect and distribute all assets in the estate
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets
Where an estate is not straightforward, we anticipate the work will take between 15 and 30 hours at an average of £200 per hour. If the estate is small, under £10,000, we can agree a fixed fee.
The exact cost depends on the circumstances. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and several bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end. We will handle the full process for you.
The fixed fee and estimate assume
- There is a valid will
- There is no more than one property
- There is no more than one bank or building society account
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are between one and five beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries over the division of assets (disputes are likely to increase 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
Potential additional costs
- If there is no will, or the estate includes shareholdings (stocks and bonds), there are likely to be additional costs that can vary significantly. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
- Additional copies of the grant cost £10 each, usually one per asset.
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
How long will this take?
On average, estates within this range are dealt with in 4 to 8 months. Obtaining the grant of probate typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Collecting the assets follows, which can take between 8 and 12 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Call us on 0161 660 1505 for a free 30-minute consultation, email info@alliedsolicitors.co.uk, or send us an enquiry below for a confidential, no-obligation discussion about your matter.
Questions we are often asked
How much does probate cost?
For a straightforward estate we charge a fixed fee of £1,080 including VAT, covering the grant of probate, collecting the assets and distributing them. Disbursements such as the probate application fee are extra.
How long does probate take?
Estates within our fixed fee range are usually dealt with in 4 to 8 months. Obtaining the grant of probate typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
What if there is no will?
There are likely to be additional costs, which vary with the estate. We can give you an accurate quote once we know more.
Is selling the property included?
No. Dealing with the sale or transfer of a property in the estate is not included in the probate fee. Our conveyancing team can quote for it separately.
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