0800 731 5821

Probate Pricing

Obtaining the Grant of Representation and dealing with the administration of an estate can be complicated; it can take several months to make sure everything is done properly and thereafter to ensure that any inheritance tax is paid and the estate is administered in accordance with either the will or the rules of intestacy. At Collins Solicitors we offer a complete estate administration service to deal with everything for you and we can also assist you with specified or limited steps within the process to meet your individual requirements.

Every estate is different and your requirements will also differ depending upon the extent and nature of the work which you would like us to undertake on your behalf. We encourage you to contact us at first instance so that we can provide you with an estimate outlining the range of potential fees to make sure that you get the right amount of support to meet your individual circumstances. In any event, we will update you regularly on your costs throughout the matter as appropriate.

Generally speaking, our charges are calculated by reference to how much time is expended on the matter which, ultimately, depends upon the amount of work required and our current range of hourly charges are £225 to £275 per hour plus VAT depending upon the complexity of the estate and we set out two examples of our fees below:

Example One:

For assisting you with the obtaining of a Grant of Probate for an Executor who has provided all of the necessary up-to-date financial documentation to us and in circumstances where no inheritance tax is due, for estates in England and wales, where:

  • There is no more than one property in the sole name of the deceased
  • There are no more than 3 bank accounts;
  • There are no debts (other than utility bills);
  • There is a valid will appointing an Executor/Executors;
  • There is no requirement to provide an HMRC account;
  • There are no unforeseen complications;

a realistic expectation of our fees is likely to range between £1,250 and £1,500 plus VAT. This is on the basis that the Executor would then carry out the administration of the estate without any further assistance from us. This service is likely to take around two months to complete.

Example Two:

For a straightforward Grant of Probate and administration of an estate, excluding any conveyancing work, for estates in England and Wales, where:

  • There is no more than one property in the sole name of the deceased
  • There are no more than 3 bank accounts;
  • There are no debts (other than utility bills);
  • There is a valid will appointing an Executor/Executors;
  • There are no more than 2 beneficiaries;
  • There are no unforeseen complications;

a realistic expectation of our fees is likely to range between £1,950 and £2,500 plus VAT. This service is likely to take around twelve months to complete.

In addition to the costs set out above, the following disbursements (costs payable to third parties) are likely to be incurred:-

And in respect of Example Two, also;

  • Statutory Advertising £250;
  • Bankruptcy searches £4
  • Land Registry Searches £3

The two examples above are illustrative of very straight forward transactions concerning uncomplicated circumstances. More complex transactions which require, for example, property clearance and preparation for sale, multiple beneficiaries, estates comprising shares and investments, the necessity to provide an HMRC account and the prior involvement of others such as the Court of Protection will result in a significantly higher cost and will take longer to complete and such cases may result in basic costs of up to around £30,000 plus VAT.

Please contact us so that we can provide you with an individual quote based upon your specific circumstances which, in any event, will always be set out in writing to our clients within a comprehensive client care "package" before any obligations arise on our clients' part to pay any fees and before any obligations arise on our part to undertake any work.