Probate Costs

While it is not possible to provide an all-encompassing price for Probate, the following provides a breakdown of how our charges are structured. They relate to Probate work in relation to uncontested estates and where all the assets are in the UK. There are a number of variables and we have provided guideline pricing below.

We will provide an initial telephone consultation free of charge during which we will discuss your particular circumstances and advise if there is likely to be any variation in cost. As the process continues, if we identify any other variables or issues we will advise you of any additional costs.

All the costs quoted below include VAT where appropriate.

We review our pricing periodically.  The pricing below is as set on 1st May 2024.

Obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration on a non-taxable estate

Where we are instructed to only obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration on a non-taxable estate, we will do the following:

• provide you with a dedicated and experienced Probate solicitor to work on your matter
• identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
• obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• complete the Probate or Letters of Administration application
• complete HMRC Forms IHT205 and IHT217
• make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you

In this situation the executors or administrators will deal with the rest of the estate including the collection and distribution of any assets.

Costs

Legal Fees from £2,040.00

Probate Registry Fees £300.00

1 Copy of Grant of Probate £1.50

TOTAL from £2,314.50 (inc VAT)

Obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration on a taxable estate

Where we are instructed to only obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration on a taxable estate, we will do the following:

• provide you with a dedicated and experienced Probate solicitor to work on your matter
• identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
• obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• complete the Probate or Letters of Administration application
• complete HMRC Form IHT400 and any appendix documents
• make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you

In this situation the executors or administrators will deal with the rest of the estate including the collection and distribution of any assets, and the payment of any inheritance tax to HMRC.

Costs

Legal fees from £3,000.00

Probate Registry Fees £300.00

Two copies of Grant of Probate £3.00

TOTAL from £3,303.00 (inc VAT)

Administering an estate where no tax is payable

We will:

• provide you with a dedicated and experienced Probate solicitor to work on your matter
• identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require

Before applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration we will do the following:

• write to each bank, building society, investment holding, mortgage provider and insurance provider to notify them of the death and obtain date of death valuations
• obtain a Probate valuation of any property where required
• use the information collated to complete HMRC Forms IHT205 and IHT217

We will obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration which involves the following:

• obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• complete the Probate or Letters of Administration Application
• make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you
• place a post in the London Gazette and local newspaper to protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors

On receipt of Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration we will do the following:

• provide copies to each of the financial institutions to collect in the estate
• draft estate accounts and provide to executor(s) or administrator(s) for approval
• carry out formal bankruptcy searches on each beneficiary
• advise the executor(s) or administrator(s) of any concerns
• distribute the estate

Costs

For an estate valued at £300,000 or less

Legal fees from £6,000.00

Probate Registry Fees £300.00

Two Copies of Grant of Probate £3.00

Total from £6,303.00 (inc VAT)

Additional variable costs

Bankruptcy search per beneficiary (if required) £2.00

Where there is a sale of property involved, please see section below on Sale of Property

Post in The London Gazette and local newspaper – optional, and cost is variable

For an estate valued between £300,000 and £600,000

Legal fees from £7,200.00

Probate Registry Fees £300.00

Two Copies of Grant of Probate £3.00

Total from £7,503.00 (inc VAT)

Additional variable costs

Bankruptcy search per beneficiary (if required) £2.00

Where there is a sale of property involved, please see section below on Sale of Property

Post in The London Gazette and local newspaper – optional and cost is variable

For an estate valued over £600,000

Costs will be agreed after an initial assessment of the estate and the work required, plus

Probate Registry Fees £300.00

Two Copies of Grant of Probate £3.00

Additional variable costs

Bankruptcy search per beneficiary (if required) £2.00

Where there is a sale of property involved, please see section below on Sale of Property

Post in The London Gazette and local newspaper – optional and cost is variable

Our hourly rates are:

Partner £336.00 (incl VAT) per hour

Senior Solicitor £312.00 (incl VAT) per hour

Wealth Protection Executive £264.00 (incl VAT) per hour

Wealth Protection Assistant £216.00 (incl VAT) per hour

Administering an estate requiring payment of Inheritance Tax

We will carry out an initial assessment of the estate and the work required. From this we will provide you with an accurate quote for the work required, which includes such work where

We will:

• provide you with a dedicated and experienced Probate solicitor to work on your case
• identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require

Before applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration we will do the following:

• write to each bank, building society, investment holding, mortgage provider and insurance provider to notify them of the death and obtain date of death valuations
• obtain Probate valuation of any property where required
• use the information collated to complete HMRC Form IHT400 and any appendix documents

We will obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration which involves the following:

• obtaining the relevant documents required to make the application
• completing the Probate or Letters of Administration application
• making the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• obtaining the Probate and securely send two copies to you
• placing a post in the London Gazette and local newspaper to protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors

On receipt of Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration we will do the following:

• provide copies to each of the financial institutions to collect in the estate
• draft estate accounts and provide to executor(s) or administrator(s) for approval
• carry out formal bankruptcy searches on each beneficiary
• advise the executor(s) or administrator(s) of any concerns
• distribute the estate

Costs

Legal fees start at £7,200.00

Probate Registry Fees £300.00

Two Copies of Grant of Probate £3.00

Post in The London Gazette £96.00

Additional variable costs

Bankruptcy search per beneficiary (if required) £2.00

Post in The London Gazette and local newspaper – optional and cost is variable

Inheritance tax (cost is variable)

Our hourly rates are:

Partner £336.00 (incl VAT) per hour

Senior Solicitor £312.00 (incl VAT) per hour

Wealth Protection Executive £264.00 (incl VAT) per hour

Wealth Protection Assistant £216.00 (incl VAT) per hour

Sale of property

Where we are instructed as part of the administration of an estate to deal with the sale of a property then we will do the following:

• upon securing a buyer, we will correspond with the buyer’s solicitor
• obtain up to date office copies and plan from the Land Registry
• draft Contract of Sale
• correspond with buyer’s solicitor in relation to any enquiries made, and assist you in responding to then
• upon completion, confirm receipt of proceeds of sale
• redeem any mortgage
• pay any estate agent
• account for balance to the estate
• provide updated estate accounts to the executor(s)/administrator(s)
• distribute within the estate or on the executor(s)/administrator(s) instructions.

The executor(s)/administrator(s) will choose the estate agent and are responsible for the marketing of the property.

Additional Costs relating to sale of property as part of the probate process

Legal fees from £1,500.00 (inc VAT)

Surveyors fee £250.00 – £500.00

Land Registry Documents:

• Copy of register £3.00 per document
• Copy of title plan £3.00 per document
• Copy of a commonhold parts register and title plan £3.00 per document
• Certificate of inspection of the title plan £7.00
• Copy of lease up to £20.00

Timescales

Obtaining Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

Typically this takes two months. Once this has been done we can deal with the distribution of the assets.

Collecting and distributing the assets of the estate

On average this takes six to 12 months where we are instructed to deal with the full administration of the estate. However, if the distribution of the estate is dependent on the sale of a property, then this will delay the process. 

You can speak a member of our expert Wealth Protection team on 0161 615 5554, or email WealthProtection@psg-law.co.uk

Gareth Williams qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and has more than 14 years’ experience in Probate work. Laura Bywater qualified as a solicitor in 2007 has more than 15 years’ experience in Probate work. Nina Sperring qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and has over 10 year’s experience in Probate work.  Gareth, Laura and Nina are all full members of the Society of Trust and Estate practitioners (STEP). Gail Galloway qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and has more than 20 years’ experience in Probate work. 

Read our Wealth Protection FAQs