Probate Fees
Probate Solicitors in London
Losing a loved one can be a difficult and emotional experience. Dealing with the legal and financial administration of an estate can often feel overwhelming, particularly when you are also managing family responsibilities and bereavement.
At The Legal Practice Solicitors, we provide clear and practical advice to executors, administrators and beneficiaries throughout London, Hertfordshire and across England and Wales.
We can assist with obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, administering estates, inheritance tax reporting and the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.
Whether you require assistance with a straightforward estate or a more complex administration involving property, investments, business interests or inheritance tax issues, we will provide a clear estimate of costs before work is undertaken.
We offer appointments at our Wembley Park office, by telephone and by video conference.
Serving Clients Throughout London and England & Wales
We advise executors, administrators and beneficiaries throughout London, Hertfordshire and across England and Wales.
Our probate team regularly assists clients with:
- Applying for Grants of Probate
- Applying for Letters of Administration
- Full estate administration
- Inheritance tax reporting
- Deeds of Variation
- Estate accounts
- Distribution of estates
- Advice to executors and beneficiaries
Our Probate Fees
The fees below apply to straightforward matters. Where additional work is required, we will provide a personalised quotation before proceeding.
VAT is currently charged at 20%. Where VAT rates change, the amount payable will be adjusted accordingly.
Grant of Probate Only
From £1,500 plus VAT (£1,800 including VAT)
This service is suitable where:
- There is a valid Will
- The executors wish to administer the estate themselves
- Asset information has been obtained
- There are no disputes regarding the estate
What is included?
- Reviewing the Will
- Advising on the probate process
- Preparing the probate application
- Preparing the relevant inheritance tax forms where appropriate
- Submitting the application to the Probate Registry
- Providing the Grant of Probate to the executors once issued
What is not included?
- Collecting assets
- Paying liabilities
- Estate accounts
- Distribution of the estate
- Property sales
- Tax advice
- Ongoing estate administration
Typical Timescale
Obtaining a Grant of Probate will depend upon the complexity of the estate and Probate Registry processing times.
As a general guide, straightforward applications are often completed within 3 to 6 months.
Timescales are estimates only.
Grant of Probate – Taxable Estates
From £2,500 plus VAT (£3,000 including VAT)
Suitable where:
- An inheritance tax return is required
- Additional information is required from financial institutions
- The estate contains more complex assets
- Inheritance tax calculations are required
The exact fee will depend upon the complexity of the estate and the work required.
Full Estate Administration
Typically Between 1% and 3% of the Gross Estate Value Plus VAT
Minimum fee: £3,500 plus VAT (£4,200 including VAT)
Where we are instructed to deal with the entire administration of an estate, our fee will generally be between 1% and 3% of the gross estate value plus VAT.
The exact fee will depend upon factors including:
- The size and value of the estate
- The number of assets
- The number of beneficiaries
- Whether inheritance tax is payable
- Whether a property is involved
- Whether there are foreign assets
- Whether business assets are involved
- Whether trusts are involved
- The complexity of the administration
In some cases, we may agree a fixed fee or alternative fee arrangement depending upon the nature and complexity of the estate.
A personalised estimate will always be provided before work commences.
This Service May Include
- Identifying assets and liabilities
- Corresponding with banks and financial institutions
- Preparing inheritance tax forms
- Applying for the Grant of Probate
- Collecting estate assets
- Paying liabilities
- Preparing estate accounts
- Distributing the estate to beneficiaries
Likely Disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties and are not retained by The Legal Practice Solicitors.
Examples may include:
- Probate Registry Fees - The Probate Registry charges a fee for applications for Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration.
- Additional Copies of the Grant - Additional official copies may be required for banks, building societies and other institutions.
- Bankruptcy Searches - These may be required before distributions are made to beneficiaries.
- Trustee Act Notices - Executors may choose to place notices pursuant to section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925 to protect against certain claims.
- Property Valuation Fees - Independent property valuations may be required.
- Share Valuation Fees - Professional valuations may be required where investments form part of the estate.
- Overseas Legal Fees - Where foreign assets are involved, overseas legal advice may be required.
Additional Costs
Electronic Identity Verification
Electronic identity verification checks may be required.
Where applicable, a fee of £15 plus VAT (£18 including VAT) per person will be charged.
Property Sales
Conveyancing fees are not included within our probate fees.
Where a property sale is required, a separate quotation will be provided.
Missing Beneficiaries
Additional fees may apply where tracing agents or genealogists are required.
Overseas Assets
Additional fees may apply where foreign legal advice is required.
What May Increase the Cost?
Additional work may be required where:
- There is no valid Will
- Beneficiaries cannot be located
- There are foreign assets
- There are business assets
- There are agricultural assets
- There are trusts
- There are multiple properties
- HM Revenue & Customs raises enquiries
- Inheritance tax issues arise
- Additional meetings are required
- Executors disagree
- A claim is made against the estate
Typical Timescales
Every estate is different.
As a general guide:
Grant of Probate Only – Approximately 3 to 6 months.
Full Estate Administration – Typically 6 to 18 months.
Complex estates may take longer.
Timescales are estimates only and will depend upon factors including asset collection, inheritance tax matters, property sales and third-party response times.
Key Stages of Probate
The key stages usually include:
- Reviewing the Will and confirming instructions.
- Identifying assets and liabilities.
- Preparing inheritance tax forms.
- Applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
- Settling liabilities.
- Preparing estate accounts.
- Distributing the estate to beneficiaries.
- Finalising the administration.
Who Will Carry Out the Work?
Our probate services are provided by experienced private client solicitors and legal professionals.
Jasvir Patel, Consultant Private Client Solicitor, is responsible for supervising this area of work and has extensive experience advising executors, administrators and beneficiaries in relation to probate and estate administration matters.
Why Choose The Legal Practice Solicitors?
- Experienced probate team
- Clear and transparent fees
- Practical legal advice
- Flexible appointments
- Support throughout the probate process
- Convenient Wembley Park location
We aim to provide clear advice and excellent client service throughout the administration of the estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need Probate?
How much does Probate cost?
How long does Probate take?
What happens if there is no Will?
Can an executor deal with Probate themselves?
Payment of Fees
We may request funds on account during the course of the administration. Full details will be provided within our client care documentation.
Contact Our Probate Team
If you require advice regarding Probate or the administration of an estate, please contact our Private Client Team.
The Legal Practice Solicitors
122–126 Wembley Park Drive
Wembley Park
London HA9 8HP
Telephone: 020 8903 7017
Email: privateclient@thelegalpractice.co.uk
We offer appointments in person, by telephone and by video conference.
Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation.
Complaints Information
We are committed to providing a high standard of service. Details of our complaints procedure can be found on our Complaints Handling page.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is intended as a general guide to our fees for straightforward matters and does not constitute legal advice. Individual circumstances vary and a personalised quotation will be provided where appropriate.