What our clients say

Probate – Applying for grant, collecting and distributing assets

Our charges are based on the time we spend dealing with a case. Time spent on the matter will include meetings with you and perhaps others; any time spent considering, preparing and working on papers, letters and emails, and making and receiving telephone calls.

Our fees for probate can vary, depending on the complexity of the estate and the matter. It is not possible to estimate the total cost, as the exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances and which member of staff will be working on the matter. Please see individual hourly rates.

Example of typical costs

As an example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range which we would anticipate our costs to be in the region of £1,200 +20% VAT plus disbursement costs. If there are multiple beneficiaries, and the estate is more complex, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs may be in the region of £3,000 - £6,000 +20% VAT. We do not charge a percentage of the property value.

Please note contentious probate, where there is a dispute, can cost a lot more in fees. In such circumstances, we will keep you fully up to date on changes to the cost and revise our estimates, as the case progresses.

In the event of Intestacy, a person dying without having made a will, it may be required that a third party specialist, such as a Genealogist be involved to establish the beneficiaries based on the family tree. Where a specialist is required, the charges will be billed as disbursements and could add an additional range in the region of £3,000 - £10,000 + 20% VAT.

We can handle the full process for you from ascertaining the extent of the estate, to final distribution to the beneficiaries.

In addition, there could be the following disbursements to pay:

  • Probate application fee of £273 plus £1.50 per extra copy of the grant.
  • Bankruptcy (£2 per beneficiary/executor)
  • £265.20 plus 20% VAT for Will Search & Section 27 Notice in The London Gazette

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements from client funds on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

How long could it take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes minimally 16 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take a further 4 - 8 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the asset, which normally takes 2 - 3 weeks. Where there are serious complications, it can take much longer than this.

Key Stages:

  • Valuing and collating the estate.
  • Paying inheritance tax
  • Applying for a Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration (if there is no Will)
  • Informing Interested parties.
  • Gathering the estate assets (liquidate if required)
  • Paying any debts from the estate.
  • Distributing the estate in line with the Will or rules of intestacy if there is no Will.

Areas of difficulty, which could arise

Difficulties that could arise, which could affect the cost, are the unknowns, such as unknown assets or beneficiaries, will disputes, difficulty tracing the family, dispute on validity of a will and so on. In such instances we would keep you informed of the cost implications as the case progresses.

Who will be dealing with my matter?

Peter Hodkin, the Principal of the firm oversees all the work. He qualified in 1989 and has over 30 years of experience in Probate

The members of staff who may carry out your work are:

Livia Sedovic – Legal Assistant. She has experience in Probate since 2017.

Helen Barlow – Legal Assistant. She has 40 years of experience in Probate.

Sylvia Tomlin – Legal Assistant. She has 35 years of experience in conveyancing, has been assisting on probate matters since 2018.

Lee Blazer – Assistant Solicitor. Qualified in 2018 with 8 years of experience in Probate.