Costs

Please find some of our fees below. We are always happy to have a no-obligation conversation to give you a better overview of our services and the costs involved.

Applying for a Grant of Probate 

Where we are instructed to deal with an application for a Grant of Probate only, we would agree a fixed fee from the outset.  This would be based on the number of assets in the estate and whether or not a full HMRC account (IHT400) is required. Our fees are:

  • £750 – £1,000 + VAT if an HMRC IHT400 is not required
  • £1,400 – £2,200 + VAT if an HMRC IHT400 is required.

Once we have obtained the Grant of Probate we would pass these to the Executors for them to draw up their own estate accounts, distribute any funds and finalise the estate.

Full administration of estates

Where we are instructed to deal with the whole administration of an estate our fees will depend on the time we will spend to conclude the matter. We will agree an estimated fee with the Executors as early as possible.

Our fees are usually calculated on a time basis and our hourly rates for new matters from 21 January 2025 currently are as follows:

  • Sarah Tregale £270 + VAT per hour
  • Anna Bomford £270 + VAT per hour
  • Amy Hamill £135 + VAT per hour

A straightforward estate would usually incur fees of around 1% + VAT of the gross estate, with a minimum fee of £3,000 + VAT. An example of a straightforward estate would include:

  • a valid will
  • no more than one property
  • no more than 6 assets
  • fewer than 5 beneficiaries
  • no claims against the estate, or any disputes about the Will
  • no inheritance tax payable
  • no requirement for an HMRC IHT400 to be submitted.

However, if the estate includes:

  • more than one property
  • multiple assets and/or beneficiaries
  • calculation and payment of inheritance tax; and/or 
  • any other complications (save for challenges to the Will or claims on the estate)

then this would be considered a complex estate and the cost will be higher in order to undertake the additional work and our fees would usually be in the region of 1-2% + VAT of the gross estate, with a minimum fee of £4,500 + VAT.

If there are any challenges to the Will or claims on the estate then our fees would be in the region of 2-5% of the gross estate with a minimum fee of £6,000 + VAT.  

Additional probate fees

As well as our firm’s fees, it will often be necessary to incur the fees of third parties. Typically, these will include the following (where applicable):

  • Probate court fee of £300.00 plus £16.00 for each additional copy of the Grant of Probate
  • Bankruptcy searches for all individual beneficiaries – £6.00 + VAT per UK beneficiary and further charges for international beneficiaries
  • Statutory Advertisements to advertise for unknown creditors – around £250.00 inc VAT
  • Land Registry fees – £7.00 + VAT for each copy of the Land Registry register
  • Tracked post for the application for the Grant of Probate – around £6.00 – £8.00 + VAT
  • Certainty Will Search to search for any missing Will – around £108.00 inc VAT
  • Pre-file opening check fees for the deceased – £10.00 + VAT, each Executor – £20.00 + VAT and each beneficiary – £15.00 + VAT.