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Probate – uncontested cases with all assets in the UK
Our probate solicitors will help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf and will then collect and distribute the assets.
The cost of handling an estate will depend on the complexity of the matter and the time needed to be spent on it by the solicitor acting in your case. Every probate is different. Please Contact us to discuss the estate details and to receive a quote based on your individual circumstances.
Applying for the Grant, collecting and distributing the assets
We will handle the full process for you. The costs guidance below covers work in a straightforward estate where:
- There is a valid Will
- The deceased was domiciled in the UK
- There is no more than one freehold property
- There are no more than three bank or building society accounts
- There are no intangible assets
- There are no overseas assets
- There are no more than three beneficiaries
- The Will does not contain any trusts
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets
- There is no Inheritance Tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
- There are no claims made against the estate
- There are no income tax or capital gains tax issues
Our estimated legal fees for handling a straightforward estate as outlined above would be between £7,750 to £10,750.
VAT will be payable on our fees at the current rate.
Anticipated Disbursements:
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.
- HM Courts and Tribunal Services probate application fee - £155
- Fee for each additional copy of the Grant of Probate - £1.50
- Fee for swearing of the Oath - £5 (per executor) plus £2 per exhibit (if applicable)
- Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches - £2 per UK beneficiary
- £87.84 (inc. VAT) to post a Notice in The London Gazette – this protects executors against unexpected claims from unknown creditors
- Approximately £100 to £200 to post a Notice in a Local Newspaper – this also helps to protect against unexpected claims
- Fee for electronic transfer of monies to creditors or beneficiaries – £30 plus VAT per UK transfer
Potential additional costs
If there is no Will or the estate consists of any share holdings, stocks and bonds, there are likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included, but we can provide a separate quote for this work on request.
How long will this take?
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within six to twelve months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes approximately three months. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between one to three months. Once this has been done, we can discharge the estate debts/liabilities, prepare the Estate Accounts and distribute the assets, which normally takes two to six months.
Key stages of the process:
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice
- 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 Application and the relevant HMRC forms
- Draft a legal oath for you to swear
- Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
- Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you
- Collect all assets in the estate
- Discharge all debts of the estate
- Draw up Estate Accounts
- Distribute legacies to the beneficiaries of the Will
Please utilise the links below to view the profiles of our Probate solicitors:
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