Probate
At Addies Solicitors we can offer support with Probate through what is inevitably a difficult period following a bereavement.
Supporting you throughout the entire Probate process.
We approach things practically from the outset and work with the Executors and family members to administer the estate efficiently and cost effectively.
A Grant of Probate is a court-issued document which legally authorises the executors of a will to collect in the assets of the estate. When the deceased did not leave a will, the rules of intestacy apply and the Grant by the Court is then known as a Grant of Letters of Administration.
Whether there is a Will or not, we offer two levels of service:
‘Grant only/letters of administration only’
This is where the executor(s) provide us with the details and valuations of all the assets and liabilities in the estate and we complete the court application on their behalf.
Once received, the grant would be handed over to the executor to complete the administration. For the most straightforward cases, where no tax is payable and the application can be submitted through the online portal, the fixed fee applicable is £500 plus 20% VAT. If a paper application is necessary but no tax is payable, we can complete this for a fixed fee of £750 plus 20% VAT.
If Inheritance Tax is payable or for any other reason, the longer form IHT400 is required, we would agree a fixed fee with you, but it is usually between £1,250 – £2,000 plus 20% VAT.
‘Full administration’
We can deal with the full administration on behalf of the executors, including but not limited to: arranging valuations, paying the funeral account, completing the Probate application, collecting in the assets, paying the liabilities, drafting estate accounts and obtaining receipts from beneficiaries.
We agree with the executors who will deal with each aspect and work collaboratively to ensure a cost-effective outcome. This type of service is done on a time spent basis and every case differs. As an idea of an average cost for a non-taxable estate valued at less than £325,000, we anticipate that this will take between 7.5 and 15 hours at £200 per hour plus 20% VAT which equates to fees in the region of £1,500 – £3,000 plus 20% VAT.
For a taxable estate, we anticipate that this will take between 15 and 25 hours at £200 per hour plus 20% VAT which equates to fees in the region of £3,500 – £5,000 plus 20% VAT and disbursements. 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 multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end. Please note that these fees to not include conveyancing costs, which are charged separately.
Important information regarding IHT:
In Addition, the following disbursements are likely:
- Probate application fee: £273
- Each additional copy grant: £1.50 (per copy)
- Bankruptcy searches: £2 (per beneficiary)
- Statutory notices (optional): c. £200
