Probate services and costs
Our charges are transparent and competitive so you will know from the outset what the cost will be. There are no hidden costs and we do not charge any “added value” element, so you only pay for the work that you need our expert assistance with. For example, where the family or executors are able to deal with much of the work themselves we can support them with our Grant Only Service. This is a fixed fee service to obtain the Grant of Probate or Administration based on the information and evidence that they supply.
How much does it cost to apply for probate?
All our fixed fee quotes are subject to alteration if there is a material change of information on the details given to us following the quote being initially provided.
The prices shown are those quoted as standard but may be subject to amendment in the event that the estate complexity and/or client instruction requires. Price amendments will be disclosed to clients beforehand.
Grant only service
Our Grant only service can be a cost-effective way to obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration for a simple estate. Using this service, we will draft a Grant of Probate (or Grant of Letters of Administration) application using information provided by the family. The Grant only service is only available where no inheritance tax is due. The family will be responsible for dealing with the estate once the Grant has been received.
Our Grant only fees are:
- Where a simplified estate form (IHT205) is submitted – £725 plus £145 vat totalling £870.
- Where a full estate form (IHT400) is submitted – £1,500 plus £300 vat totalling £1,800.
Choose our Grant only service and we will apply for the necessary Grant for you. This could speed up the application process and means you will not have to attend an interview at court. To provide this service, we need:
- Details of any assets and debts connected to the estate
- A copy of the Will (if there is one)
- The death certificate
Our Grant only service includes:
- Where there is a valid will, acting on behalf of the executors appointed in the Will
- Where there is no Will, acting on behalf of surviving spouse/civil partner or adult children or siblings to obtain Grant
- Completion of the Inheritance Tax return IHT205 or IHT400 where no IHT is payable (see above)
- Drafting Oath in support of application for Grant
- Obtaining the Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration and appropriate number of court sealed copies
Our Grant only service does not include:
- Where there is no Will, no surviving spouse no surviving adult children and no siblings
- Advice relating to the legal validity of the Will or the meaning of the Will
- Advice relating to Inheritance Tax (IHT) or any further steps required to administer the estate
- Undertaking searches for a Will
- Advice relating to the Executors appointment
- Identifying beneficiaries of the estate
- Where the deceased was domiciled abroad or there are significant foreign assets
- Transfer of Inheritance Tax nil rate band (Form IHT 217)
- Registration/notification of death
- Organising valuations of assets in estate
- Estate Accounts
- Dealing with any property related matters, insurance, utilities, council tax.
Probate Court fees, disbursements and the costs of selling property are payable in addition to our fees.
How much are Probate Court fees and other disbursements?
- Probate court fee of £155.00.
- Extra official copies of the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration 50p each.
- Swearing of the oath (per executor) £5.00 plus £2 to mark the Will.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process
Timescales
Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 4 to 6 weeks.