Probate Fees

We offer a number of pricing solutions on Probate matters subject to what work is needed and the complexity of the matter.

Full Administration Service

We will charge an hourly rate to deal with the full administration of an Estate within the UK. Our hourly rates range from £185.00 – £285.00 (£222.00 – £342.00 inc VAT) and we anticipate spending approximately 12 hours dealing with a simple estate. Therefore the overall costs (excluding disbursements) are likely to be £2,200.00 – £3,420.00 (£2,640.00 – £4,104.00 inc VAT). This can vary from matter to matter and no two Estates are the same.  In the case of high-value Estates we may also make a charge based on a percentage of the value of the Estate.  This value element is between 0.5% and 1.5%. This would reflect the additional levels of responsibility which dealing with such Estates entail.  This will be discussed at the outset of the matter with you.

We aim to take initial instructions and based on the information provided we can provide an estimate of likely costs.

Once work has commenced we will provide updates as to how things are going vs the estimate given at regular intervals.

Elements that affect time taken and complexity can include:

  • Number and type of assets;
  • Number and type of liabilities;
  • Number of beneficiaries;
  • Beneficiaries who are difficult to contact or who may need to be traced;
  • Assets and liabilities which need to be chased several times to provide information;
  • Whether a more complex Inheritance tax return is needed;
  • Dealing with the HMRC in an Estate where they dispute the valuation of Assets;
  • Issues with the validity of a Will;
  • Ascertaining the location of a Will;
  • Identifying whether there was a Will and whether any Will produced is in fact the last, and therefore valid Will;
  • Issues with challenges to the Estate from disgruntled third parties;
  • Income Tax liabilities;
  • Inheritance Tax liabilities;
  • CGT liability;
  • Property ownership disputes;
  • DWP Enquiries re overpaid benefits;
  • Numerous Shareholdings;
  • Claims under Inheritance (Provision for Family Dependants) Act 1975;

In addition to our fees and VAT the following disbursements may be incurred:

  • Probate Registry fee  £300.00
  • Office copies of the Grant  £1.50 per copy as required
  • Anti-Money Laundering search fee  £41.67 (£50.00 inc VAT) for up to 10 names and £4.17 (£5.00 inc VAT) per additional name
  • Inheritance Tax;
  • Will search Fees;
  • Genealogist Fees;
  • Income Tax;
  • Capital Gains Tax;
  • Estate Agents Fees;
  • Court Fees;
  • Land Registry Fees;
  • Any liabilities which the deceased owed at the date of their death;
  • Fees for the valuation of Assets;
  • Funeral Costs;
  • Notices to potential creditors about the deceased in the London Gazette and a Local Newspaper;

We would normally expect to complete the administration of a simple estate within 12 months of the date of death but we will be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have the received the Grant from the Probate Registry. Various factors will affect the timescale, which we can discuss with you in more detail during the course of the administration of the estate.

Your case will be allocated to a fee earner with the suitable professional experience to conduct your matter and the fee earner will be supervised during the matter. To see our fee earners expertise please see the Our Team page.

If you would like any further information or clarification please do not hesitate to give one of our probate Team a call on 01736 362362 or email us at enquiries@cvc-solicitors.co.uk.