We are committed to providing transparent, fair and clear pricing for all our services.
We charge value added tax (VAT) at the current rate of 20% on our fees and, where applicable, on disbursements and expenses, unless expressly stated otherwise.
Services and fees:
Full estate administration services:
We offer two main fee structures for full estate administration services depending on the complexity of the estate:
1. Fixed fee structure:
For straightforward estates where there is a will, no disputes and limited assets, we can offer a fixed fee service.
Examples:
- Simple estates (1-2 assets, excepted estate, no inheritance tax, 1 or 2 beneficiaries): from £3,000 plus VAT
- Moderately complex estates (multiple assets, non-excepted estate, inheritance tax payable, several beneficiaries): from £12,000 plus VAT
2. Time spent/hourly rate fee structure:
For more complex estates (with business/agricultural assets, subject to inheritance tax, international assets, trusts, numerous beneficiaries or estates with disputes) our services are charged at an hourly rate set out below:
Director/solicitor: £290 plus VAT per hour
We will estimate our fees at the outset, and we will keep you regularly updated as the matter progresses. If the matter proves more complex than originally anticipated, or further work arises, we will notify you as soon as we become aware to let you know and to agree a revised fee estimate. Our clients will never be charged more than the estimate that has been agreed.
Examples:
- estimated fees for an estate that is not an excepted estate, with inheritance tax payable, multiple assets and several beneficiaries: £12,000 to £30,000 plus VAT
- estimated fees for an estate that is not an excepted estate, with inheritance tax payable, multiple assets, farming/business assets or international assets and several beneficiaries: from £18,000 plus VAT
Any intestacies (estates without a will) will usually be fee structured on a time spent basis unless it is a simple matter, for example, with one administrator/beneficiary and is an excepted estate.
Our full estate administration service includes:
- initial consultation and advice on the grant of representation (including probate) process
- investigating the value of an estate
- addressing tax compliance to the date of death
- completing any necessary inheritance tax forms
- preparing and submitting the grant of representation application
- collecting in assets and settling liabilities
- paying legacies and constituting continuing trusts
- preparing estate accounts
- addressing any tax compliance for the period of administration
- distributing the residuary estate
Grant of representation only service:
We can offer our grant only service on a fixed fee structure.
Examples:
- Grant only service for an excepted estate with an online grant of representation application: from £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements
- Grant only service with an IHT400 and online grant of representation application: from £2,900 plus VAT and disbursements
Our grant only service includes the following:
- initial consultation and advice on the grant of representation (including probate) process
- completing any necessary inheritance tax forms based on valuations you provide
- preparing and submitting the grant application based of valuations you provide
Disbursements and expenses:
All hourly rates, estimates and fixed fees we quote to you are exclusive of the following, which you must pay in addition:
Disbursements: acting as your agent, we may ask others (such as surveyors, accountants or barristers) to work on your behalf. We may also pay official fees or carry out searches for you. You will be responsible for associated charges and costs (disbursements). Disbursements may include:
- HM Courts and Tribunals Service grant of representation application fee: £526 (for estates over £5,000)
- HM Courts and Tribunals Service court-sealed copies of the grant of representation: £2 per copy
- Section 27 Trustee Act notices/statutory advertisements: approximately £200 to £350 plus VAT
- Financial assets search: £165 to £210 plus VAT
Expenses: in addition to our fees, we charge you our expenses which may include the costs of:
- travelling expenses
- postal charges (if documents posted abroad or by tracked/special delivery or courier)
- client onboarding fees
- beneficiary processing fees
- payment transfers, if by CHAPS
- HM Land Registry bankruptcy searches: £6 plus VAT per beneficiary
- HM Land Registry office copy entries of register and plan: £14 plus VAT per property (for copies of register and plan)
Factors affecting the fees:
The fees of estate administration services can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- number of assets
- location of assets (UK or overseas)
- existence of trusts or complex financial arrangements
- agricultural and business assets requiring claims for agricultural property relief or business property relief
- issues with will validity
- disputes relating to will or the administration of the estate
- number of beneficiaries
- whether it is an excepted estate or a non-excepted estate
How long will the process take?
On average, for a simple estate, an estate administration takes around 8 to12 months to complete. This can be broken down as follows:
- Obtaining the grant of representation: usually 3 to 6 months
- Collecting in assets: 1 to 3 months after the grant of representation
- Distributing the estate: 1 to 3 months after asset collection
For more moderately complex estates, the process will likely take longer than a year.
