56 Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, L2 2SR | [email protected] | 0151 318 7500

Probate Charges

This page outlines information about our charges for assisting with Estate Administration.

Our fees for acting for you on a probate matter can vary and will depend on the individual circumstances involved. We can provide you with a cost-effective service tailored to your individual needs.

We can offer our services either under a fixed fee arrangement or by charging for the work by reference to an hourly charging rate, whereby you will be charged for time spent on the matter.

Fixed Fee – Grant Only Application

We can assist you in dealing with all the formalities required by the Probate Registry up to obtaining the Grant on behalf of the estate.

Estate value under £325,000 (no IHT forms required)                      £675 plus VAT (£810)

Estate value over £325,000                                                                    £800 plus VAT (£960)

What is included:

  • Initial advice about what information we require so we can complete the application for the probate registry.
  • When the information has been obtained a meeting will be arranged (in person, video call, telephone call) where we will take instructions and deal with any queries you may have.
  • We will Identify the type of application required and complete the relevant application for the probate registry either online or paper and deal with any requests made by the Probate Registry.
  • We will obtain and check the grant and provide you with copies so you can deal with the assets of the estate.

Full Estate Administration

We can also assist you to deal with all aspects of administration of the estate.

The Legal Fees for a standard probate will be in the region of £1000 plus VAT (£1200) to £3000 plus VAT (£3600).

A standard probate is defined as a probate where:

  • There is a valid Will.
  • There are executors who are willing and able to act.
  • There is no more than one property.
  • There are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts.
  • There are no more than 4 beneficiaries, and they all have the capacity to deal with their gifts.
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries.
  • There are no trusts in the Will.
  • There are no claims against the estate.

How long will it take to deal with the estate?

The average estate administration can take between 9 -12 months where there is no IHT to pay and any property is sold without delay; however, we are often reliant upon other organisations and companies to provide us with information so this time frame can vary.

Additional costs (“disbursements”) that are relevant to all Grant applications.

Dealing with the administration of an estate incurs various costs in addition to our fees. These are known as disbursements and these costs may include but are not limited to: –

  • Court Fees obtaining grant of probate – £273 (Additional copies of the grant are £1.50 per copy)
  • Copies of HM Land Registry Title Documents – £3 per document
  • Searches on executors and beneficiaries – £2 per name searched.
  • Where statutory notices to protect the Executors from unknown liabilities are required the average cost for publication in the London Gazette and in the local newspaper are typically in the region of between £180 and £220.

This list of disbursements is not exhaustive and will depend on the nature of your instructions. You will be advised at the outset of any such costs and during the conduct of the matter should additional expenditure become necessary.

For the avoidance of doubt the payment of any tax including inheritance tax is not a disbursement but a liability of the estate and will be required to be settled from the estate funds.