Costs and timescale

Our charges are calculated by reference to the time actually spent by the solicitors and other staff in respect of the work which they do on your behalf and we set out an example of the fees below. 

GRANT ONLY APPLICATION

Our charges to obtain a Grant in a simple matter will, in general, not exceed £1,250 plus VAT, where the estate is an excepted estate and an IHT205 is completed. A further £250 plus VAT will be charged where a transferrable nil rate band is claimed.

Our charges to obtain a Grant where there is no inheritance tax to pay and IHT400 is required will, in general, not exceed £2,500 plus VAT.

Our charges to obtain a Grant where there is inheritance tax to pay, requiring IHT400 to be prepared will, in general, not exceed £3,500 plus VAT.

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

Following receipt of the Grant above, we can then continue to handle the full process for you, giving you peace of mind and certainty that everything has been completed.  Our costs for administration of an estate after a Grant has been obtained are generally in the region of a further £2,500 plus VAT.  The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter and this estimate is based on a estate where:-

• There is a valid will.
• There is no more than one property and it sells within a reasonable period of time.
• The income tax affairs of the deceased are up to date.
• There are no foreign assets.
• There is no more than 2 bank or building society accounts.
• There are no intangible assets.
• There are no more than 4 beneficiaries (all of whom are identified and contactable).
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets.  If disputes arise, this is likely to lead to an increase in costs.
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC.
• There is no claim made against the estate.

In general, the total cost of estates which we administer rarely exceeds 2% of the gross value of the estate.

 Additional fees and disbursements

Disbursements are the costs of third parties that are incurred during the administration of an estate. We set out an indication of the disbursement costs we anticipate, although the costs of disbursements may fluctuate. 

• Probate Registry application fee - £155 (No VAT). 
• Sealed copy Grant (per copy) - 50p
• Swearing of the Oath (per executor) (up to 1 codicil) - £5 to £9 (No VAT)
• Bankruptcy only Land Charges Department Search (per search) - £1 (No VAT)
• Statutory Notices to protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors - approximately £200 plus VAT (Total £240.00)

Factors affecting our fee quote:-

Where there is no Will or the estate consists of multiple assets or multiple beneficiaries, these factors will add further time and costs in administering the estate.  We will always give you a fee quote based on the particular circumstances of the estate before we progress with any work. We can also give you a fixed fee quote to deal with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate.

How long will it take?

On average we expect to obtain the Grant within three months from the date of instruction. Gathering in the estate assets is likely to take a further three months. 

In most cases we expect to pay the estate liabilities and legacies, obtain clearance from Revenue and Customs and make the final distribution to the Residuary Beneficiaries within a year of the date of instruction. 

These time limits will vary from estate to estate because there are matters over which we have no control such as the amount of time it takes to sell a property, or where we are waiting for clearance from third parties such as Revenue and Customs of the Department of Work and Pensions. 

DISPUTED ESTATES

We specialise in dealing with disputed estates.  Our charges for advising you about disputed estates are calculated by reference to the time actually spent by the solicitors and other staff in respect of the work which they do on your behalf. Costs vary, depending on the nature of the dispute. We can provide you with an estimate of costs once we have had an initial discussion with you to find out details of the dispute and assess the way forward.  Please email Jenny Mayhew for further information on dealing with a disputed estate.