Probate and Estate Administration Fees
Probate and Estate Administration Fees
The cost of obtaining a grant of probate and administering an estate will depend on the complexity of the estate. We set out our fees below for the most common scenarios. All fees are exclusive of VAT at 20% unless otherwise stated. VAT-inclusive figures are shown alongside.
Grant of Probate Only (Simple Estates)
Where you simply need a grant of probate or letters of administration and are able to administer the estate yourself, we offer a fixed-fee service.
| Service | Our Fee (ex. VAT) | VAT (20%) | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant of Probate — straightforward application (testate) | £1,200 | £240 | £1,440 |
| Letters of Administration — intestate estate | £1,400 | £280 | £1,680 |
| IHT400 (taxable estate) — preparation and submission | From £500 | From £100 | From £600 |
Full Estate Administration
Where you require us to administer the estate in full — including collecting in assets, paying liabilities, and distributing to beneficiaries — our fees are calculated as a percentage of the gross value of the estate.
| Estate Gross Value | Our Fee (ex. VAT) | VAT (20%) | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £150,000 | 2.5% of gross estate value | 0.5% (of gross value) | 3% of gross estate value |
| £150,001 – £500,000 | 2.75% of gross estate value | 0.55% | 3.3% of gross estate value |
| £500,001 – £1,000,000 | 3% of gross estate value | 0.6% | 3.6% of gross estate value |
| Over £1,000,000 | 3.5–4% of gross estate value (agreed in advance) | 0.7–0.8% | 4.2–4.8% (agreed in advance) |
Example: For an estate valued at £400,000 gross, our fee would be approximately £11,000 + VAT (£2,200) = £13,200 total. This is an estimate — the final fee will be confirmed in your client care letter before work commences.
What Is Included in Full Estate Administration
- Obtaining the grant of probate or letters of administration
- Notifying relevant institutions (banks, HMRC, pension providers, insurers)
- Collecting in all assets and closing accounts
- Preparing estate accounts
- Calculating and paying inheritance tax where applicable
- Dealing with income tax up to the date of death
- Registering the death with relevant parties
- Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules
- Preparation of tax returns for income arising during the administration period
- Dealing with a contested Will or disputed estate
- Sale or transfer of property (separate conveyancing fees apply)
- Dealing with assets located outside the UK
Typical Disbursements — Probate
| Disbursement | Indicative Cost |
|---|---|
| Probate application fee (HMCTS) | £300 (estates over £5,000) + £1.50 per sealed copy |
| Trustee Act notices (Gazette and local newspaper) | £150 – £300 |
| Land Registry official copy entries | £6 – £20 per title |
| Bankruptcy search (per beneficiary) | £2 per search |
| Bank transfer fees (CHAPS) | £35 + VAT per transfer |
Disbursements are set by third parties and outside our control. VAT is not applicable to court fees.
Timescales — Probate
Obtaining a grant of probate typically takes 3–6 months from the date of death, depending on the complexity of the estate and HMCTS processing times. Full estate administration typically takes 9–18 months. Taxable estates requiring IHT400 submissions may take longer.
Who Will Handle Your Probate Matter
Probate and estate administration work is handled by our private client team under the supervision of a qualified solicitor. Lasith Hewasiliyange (LLB Hons, University of London) handles day-to-day administration of Wills, Probate, and LPA matters. All matters are supervised by a qualified solicitor. Mamta Shah, Elderly Client Advisor, provides additional support for clients requiring compassionate guidance through the probate process.
For full team profiles and qualifications, please see our team page at thelegalpractice.co.uk/about-us
Our Team — Qualifications by Practice Area
The following sets out the qualified personnel responsible for supervising each practice area covered by our fee schedule.
Property Conveyancing
Supervising Partner: Dharmini Somani, Partner Solicitor — qualified 2018, 6+ years PQE, specialist in residential and commercial property, Wills & Probate, property litigation, and matrimonial law.
Supporting team: Parveen Verma, Senior Consultant Conveyancing Solicitor — over 35 years of experience in commercial property and private client work. Day-to-day matters may be handled by supervised paralegals including Cecilia Fernandes (Senior Paralegal, 10+ years' experience) and Radnika Shah (Senior Paralegal, 30+ years' experience in commercial property)
Wills, Probate and Lasting Power of Attorney
Supervising Solicitor: Dharmini Somani, Partner Solicitor — qualified 2018, specialist in Wills & Probate and private client matters.
Day-to-day matters are handled by Lasith Hewasiliyange (Paralegal, LLB Hons — University of London, currently pursuing Masters in Law) under qualified supervision.
Immigration
Lead: Parvinder Singh, Immigration Specialist Consultant — over 20 years of experience advising individuals and businesses on all areas of UK immigration and nationality law, with particular expertise in Skilled Worker, Sponsor Licences, Innovator Founder, and Start-Up visa routes.
Employment Law and Settlement Agreements
Lead: Angalee Pandya, Senior Consultant Employment Solicitor — over 18 years of experience in employment law and HR. Advises employers and employees on settlement agreements, unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, discrimination, and Employment Tribunal proceedings.
Family and Divorce
Lead: Kalpana Shah, Senior Consultant Family Solicitor — 31 years of dedicated practice in family law including divorce, child arrangements, domestic violence, and financial settlements.
Supporting: Reena Patel, Senior Consultant Family Solicitor — over 23 years of experience in all aspects of family law, member of Resolution.
Litigation and Disputes
Lead: Paul Mendelsohn, Senior Consultant Litigation Solicitor — over 35 years of experience in civil litigation, commercial disputes, and alternative dispute resolution.
Supporting: Samantha Greer, Senior Consultant Commercial Solicitor — qualified 2009, extensive experience in commercial contracts, construction disputes, and advocacy in lower courts.