Our Fees
Wills and Probate Services
We provide expert advice and support for all aspects of lifetime planning and estate administration, including Wills, probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Our team can help you plan for the future, manage your estate, or resolve any disputes that arise.
Our specialist services include:
- Drafting a Will
- Inheritance Tax planning
- Probate and estate administration:
- Obtaining Grant of Probate where there is a will
- Obtaining Letters of Representation where there is no will
- Trusts of Land and Property
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Challenging a Will and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 claims
- Other contentious probate matters, including disputes between executors and beneficiaries
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA
- Health and Welfare LPA
Our Fees for Wills and Probate Matters
To arrange an initial meeting with one of our lawyers we charge a fixed fee of £250 plus VAT (£300) which is payable prior to the meeting taking place. If you decide to instruct us, this cost will be included in the time estimate or fixed fee quoted.
We will discuss an approximate fee with you at the initial stage of instructions. Our fees depend on the complexity of your matter, the time spent and the experience of the solicitor handling your case. While it may not always be possible to provide a fixed fee, we are happy to agree on a fixed fee wherever feasible for drafting wills and probate matters.
Our hourly rates vary according to the level and experience of the solicitor, ranging from £250–£350 per hour (£300–£420 including VAT). The final cost will depend on the complexity of the work involved.
Please note the costs for typical straightforward probate matter would fall between £4000- £6000 plus vat . Vat is charged 20 % of the cost.
Please note, the following are the key factors in determining the costs in probate matters :
- The value of the estate
- The complexity of the estate
- When there is no will
- Ownership of property
- Inheritance tax due
- Any disputes or contests
- The executor’s role
Please feel free to contact us should you have any concerns with our fee.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties and include fees to Probate Registry, Land Registry fees, costs for confirming the identity of the executors and beneficiaries. Please note that there is no fee if the value of the estate is less than £5000. Please see the list below for disbursements and fees associated in your probate application.
Disbursement | Fee | VAT | Total |
Probate Fee for estate value above £5000 | £ 300.00 | NA | £ 300.00 |
Office Copies for the Grant of Probate (per copy) – for example, 6 | £ 1.50 | NA | £ 1.50 |
Land registry copy fee | £ 7.00 | NA | £ 7.00 |
Bankruptcy Search fee (per beneficiary) | £ 6.00 | NA | £ 6.00 |
Confirmation of identity (per person) | £ 4.50 | NA | £4.50 |
Advert in the London Gazette and local paper (subject to variation) | £ 150.00 | £30.00 | £ 180.00 |
Key Stages – Drafting Wills
There is no set guidance on exact stages or timescales, as each matter depends on its nature and complexity
We obtain your initial instructions
- We provide you an appointment to attend our office and we will go through initial ID checks and AML checks
- We request you to outline details of beneficiaries, estates and details of executor
- We prepare the draft for you to check
- If the draft is finalised, we prepare the will, obtain the witness signature and provide you with the original to keep it safe with you
Time Scale – Drafting Wills
On average, drafting a Will takes around 6 hours of solicitor work. The usual timescale for preparing the Will is approximately two weeks from the date we receive your instructions. More complex Wills with multiple beneficiaries, trusts, or tax planning may require additional time.
Key Stages – Preparation of Application for Probate
- valuing the assets of the estate and reporting this to HMRC
- paying inheritance tax
- Applying for grant of probate
- paying debts and expenses
- distributing the remaining assets according to the terms of the will (or under the Intestacy Rules if there is no will)
The larger and more complex the estate , the longer it is likely to take to complete these steps. For example, if the estate include several properties, it will take longer to liquidate the estate and distribute to the beneficiaries.
Time Scale – Probate Matters
A typical estate can usually be finalised within 35–45 hours of solicitor work. However, the overall cost may be influenced by several key factors. Please contact us to discuss the exact cost and fees, as these may vary depending on your specific circumstances. The usual timescale in straightforward probate application is 16 weeks. Please note, complex cases can take long time.