Dealing with the estate of a deceased individual can of course be a very upsetting and stressful time.

Our experienced team of probate lawyers offer invaluable advice and support during these difficult times, and aim to do so in the most efficient and cost – effective way possible.

Nia Evans

Senior Associate

Email

View Profile

Heather Turner

Trainee Solicitor

Email

View Profile

Probate is the legal process of administering someone’s estate after they pass away. This can include identifying assets, settling liabilities, applying for the Grant of Representation, and distributing the estate in line with the will or Intestacy Rules. Every estate is different, and the level of work required will depend on the complexity of the assets and family circumstances. We offer a flexible approach to our services, and can provide you with as much or as little support as you require. We can deal with the entire process, or we can deal with certain aspects only. 

How we support you

Our friendly, experienced team can help with everything from straightforward Grant only applications to full estate administration. We explain each step and keep you updated throughout, making sure you understand what to expect in terms of timescales, responsibilities and costs. Whether the estate is simple or more involved, we provide clear guidance and a calm, organised approach.

What will it cost?

Our fees are charged on a time-spent bases. Grant only applications start from £850 + VAT and disbursements. Full administration is available from £3000 + VAT and disbursements depending on the size and complexity of the estate.

Disbursements

These are costs related to the estate that are payable to third parties such as the Probate Registry. We will handle the payment of any disbursements on your behalf. Disbursements can include (but are not limited to):

Probate Court Fee – £300
Office copy of the Grant issued by the Probate Registry: £16 each
Bankruptcy Land Charges Department searches: £6 + VAT per beneficiary
Statutory Notices in a local newspaper and the London Gazette to protect against claims from unknown creditors £100- £350 + VAT
Swearing of any necessary affidavits £5 plus £2 for each exhibit attached

Other fees may include estate agent fees, asset and liability searches, valuation fees, genealogist fees and property clearance fees. This is not an exhaustive list, we will discuss likely fees with you during our initial appointment and throughout the process as they become necessary.

Timescales

Reaching the point where you can apply for the Grant of Probate can take 3-4 months from the start of the process. The overall timescale for completing the full administration of an estate can vary. It can depend on how quickly third parties respond to enquiries – including the Probate Registry, HMRC and also financial constitutions.

If the estate includes a property that needs to be sold, this can also extend the timeline. As a general guide, estates can take 6-18 months to finalise, though this can vary depending on circumstances.

Fees – 

Our minimum costs for acting in the administration of an estate are £1,500 plus VAT.

Our average costs for acting in the administration of an estate are £3,000 plus VAT.

Our average costs, which depend on the value of the estate, are typically as follows:

Whilst the above are averages we will always aim to give you a fixed quotation once we have full details of the estate assets and liabilities.

If we are instructed to obtain a Grant of Representation only, without a full tax return or collating estate information or acting in the distribution of the estate, our fee will be £850 plus VAT.