Probate Services: Obtaining Grant, collection and distribution of assets
Estimate range: £4,000 – £6,000* plus VAT based our hourly rates.
£10 plus VAT – Identity verification search (per person)
VAT is added to our costs figures, above, and is currently charged at the prevailing rate £273 – Probate application fee – subject to change in line with Government fees.
£2 (plus VAT) – Bankruptcy-only land charges department searches (per beneficiary)
£300-£450 – Advert in newspaper (dependant on local paper charges)
The fee range is conditional on the below assumptions:
There is a valid will
There is no more than one property
There are no more than 5 bank accounts
There are no other intangible assets
The full estate is within the UK
There are no more than 5 beneficiaries
There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets.
There is no inheritance tax payable
The Executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
There are no claims made against the estate
Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
Identify the information required to make the application
Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms based on the information provided by you and obtained from interested parties
Draft a legal oath for you to swear
Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf and deal with any requisitions
Obtain the Grant and collect in the assets and discharge liabilities from funds received
Prepare final accounts and distribute
Dealing with estates where there is no will
Dealing with estates that consist of any shareholdings
Additional copies of grant (four will be obtained within the £157 application fee)
Sale or transfer of property
Dealing with property and/or assets outside of the UK
Correspondence relating to a property in the estate that is not sold within 6 months of the date of the Grant of probate The above services are at an additional cost
On average, estates that fall within the range are dealt with within 6-8 months. Typically, obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 2-3 months. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 2-6 months, dependent on whether there is a house to sell. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally take place 6 months after the date of the Grant.