Probate

One of our solicitors, Hannah Starling, carries out probate work. She qualified in 2018 and is supervised by Peter Blake-Turner, the senior partner. She may also be assisted from time to time by a trainee solicitor or paralegal.

Our probate services include an initial review of the papers, obtaining the Grant of Probate and dealing with the collection and distribution of the estate. We will also liaise with HMRC in relation to inheritance tax.

We will provide you with a fee quote, depending on the complexity of the estate, but our fees typically range between £2,349 to £23,495 (excluding VAT and disbursements). This is based on hourly rates ranging from £115 to £600, depending on the complexity of your case and the experience of the lawyer. VAT at 20% will be added to our fees.

The disbursements typically involved are the Court fee to obtain the Grant of Probate which is £155.00 plus £1.50 per copy required and the London Gazette fee which is £87.30 plus VAT. There may also be disbursements if property is involved or, for example, if the estate includes shares and you need to pay a lost share certificate administration fee or stockbroker fees. VAT at 20% will be added to all disbursements except Court Fees which do not attract VAT.

The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following key stages of a probate case:

• Taking your initial instructions and reviewing the papers.
• Preparing the necessary documentation to apply for the grant of probate.
• Making the application to the Probate Registry to obtain the grant of probate.
• Reviewing the will, or if there is no will applying the rules of intestacy to identify the personal representatives and beneficiaries.
• Completing any necessary IHT forms to be submitted to HMRC.
• Corresponding with HMRC in relation to the IHT forms.
• Assisting with the calculation of inheritance tax.
• Arranging for the transfer of any nil rate band, if available.
• Placing all statutory adverts to establish whether there are any claims against the estate.
• Liaising with financial institutions and companies with whom the deceased held assets in relation to the realisation of such assets, including correspondence by letter or email and completing the necessary forms. This will also include liaising with you in order for the forms to be signed and completed.
• Liaising with companies with whom the deceased owed money in order to ensure payment of such liabilities for the estate funds and settling those debts from the estate.
• Collection of the assets of the estate.
• Transferring any jointly owned assets into the name of the surviving owner.
• Liaising with the personal representatives and beneficiaries throughout the process.
• Distribution of the estate to the beneficiaries.
• Preparation of the estate accounts.
• If there is property in the estate, arranging for a specialist conveyancer to either transfer ownership of the property or arrange for the sale of the property. For a sale, this will include instructing an estate agent for the marketing and sale of the property.

The above process can take around 9 to 12 months, or longer in complex matter which involve the sale of property or complicated beneficiary issues.