Private Clients and Family Law Services and Fees

Probate Services and Fees

Range of Costs

In relation to uncontested cases where all assets are in the UK our fees will range dependent on complexity, between 2% and 3% of gross value of the gross value of the deceased’s estate. We have a minimum charge of £3,000.  In all cases VAT is payable in addition to our fees.

Our exact fee will depend on individual circumstances.  The fee is likely to be in the higher part of the range if

1. there is no will (intestacy)
2. there are several assets or include overseas assests
3. there are several beneficiaries
4. inheritance tax is payable

There will also be disbursements payable.  These are sums payable by us to third parties on your behalf.  These will be charged separately and may include

1. Probate application fee (this can be found online)
2. Bankruptcy search fee
3. Postings in the London Gazette or local newspaper (to protect against unexpected claim).

Staff

Our probate work will be handled by experienced qualified staff and closely supervised by a Director of the firm.

We are able to converse in Mandarin, Cantonese as well as English.

Scope of the works involved

The following is the likely sequence of steps

1. Meeting with executor to review the Will (if there is one)
2. Identify assets of the estate
3. Contact third parties involving assets (banks, insurance companies, stocks and shares etc)
4. Advise on potential inheritance tax libility
5. Complete probate application and any relevant HMRC forms
6. Draft legal oath
7. Apply to the probate registry
8. Obtain probate
9. Collect in and distribute assets

How long will everything take

To some extent the speed of response is outside our control as we are dealing with third parties.  In our experience the average time will range from 6 to 9 months to obtain probate.  Then to distribute the assets can take a further 4 to 6 months depending on the location and the assets.