We will provide you with a fixed fee or an overall fee estimate at the start of your matter and will keep you updated throughout. Where fixed fees do not apply, our fees are calculated on an hourly basis at the following rates: -

Wills pricing information

• Basic Will - without inheritance tax or Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 advice for an individual with assets below £325,000 in the UK or abroad (including business assets) and do not have children or financial dependents - £450 plus VAT for a single Will and £800 plus VAT for joint mirror Wills.
• Standard Will - includes advice on guardians, inheritance tax advice and Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 advice. Suitable for individuals with children/ financial dependents. £650 plus VAT for a single Will and £1,200 plus VAT for a joint mirror Will.
• Complex Wills - the advice included within the standard Will option in addition to the inclusion of Will trusts. For complex Wills, our charges are based on an hourly rate and fees generally range between £1,250-£2,250 plus VAT.

The above fees include taking instructions, advising, drafting the Will, amending as necessary and witnessing the execution of the Will. All options include a meeting either via telephone or in person to take instructions and if requested, to witness the signing of the Will at our offices.

• Letter of Wishes (if required) are normally charged at £350 - £525 plus VAT depending on the content required.
• Single Codicil £400 plus VAT
• Mirror Codicils £550 plus VAT

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPAs) pricing information

We offer fixed fees for assisting with the preparation and registration of LPA's.

• 1 LPA for single person: £650 plus VAT;
• 2 LPA’s for the same person £900 plus VAT;
• 4 LPA’s for a couple £1,400 plus VAT.

These fees includes taking instructions, acting as a certificate provider and witness (if required), applying to register the LPA’s and providing a certified copy of each form.

There are also disbursements payable in addition such as special delivery fees (approximately £7) and the registration fees payable to the Office of the Public Guardian (£82 per form). 

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

Probate pricing information

Our fees are based on an hourly rate. We do not charge an additional fee based on the value of the estate involved.  

Our fees for acting on obtaining a grant of probate and administering a straightforward (uncontested) UK based estate varies. Total costs are likely to range from £4,500 to £14,000 plus VAT (£5,400 - £16,800 including VAT).

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. For example, if there is one beneficiary and one property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, properties and multiple bank accounts, the costs will be at the higher end.

Example fee for probate work estimated at the lower end of the range: £4,500 plus VAT (£5,400 including VAT).

This is for estates where:

• There is one executor appointed;
• There is a valid will;
• There is no more than one property;
• There are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts;
• There are no intangible assets such as no copyright and trademarks;
• There are 1-2 beneficiaries;
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on the division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs;
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC;
• There are no claims made against the estate;
• All assets are in the UK.

Disbursements payable in addition to our fees:

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

• Probate application fees £300
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£7.80 inc VAT per beneficiary when required);
• Bankruptcy checks for international beneficiaries vary but approximately £60 plus VAT per beneficiary
• Advertisement in the London Gazette and local newspaper approximately £350 plus VAT – protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors
• Financial asset search approximately £255 plus VAT
• Official copy of the register of titles/other documents from the Land Registry costing £8.80 inc VAT per document.
• ID checks vary but normally up to £8.50 plus VAT per check.

Potential additional costs

If there is no will or the estate consists of any shareholdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could vary significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with.

We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.

Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

Any post death variations will also carry an additional charge.

Other potential additional costs payable in addition to our fees (if required):

• Valuation fees
• Translation costs
• Overseas lawyer’s fees 
• Accountants fees

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 10-20 months. Typically, investigating the assets and liabilities and obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 6-12 months. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 2-4 months. Once this has been done, we can pay liabilities and distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-4 months.

Breakdown of costs:

• Legal fees £4,500;
• VAT on legal fees £900.00;
• Disbursements

- Probate application fees £273;
- Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per UK resident beneficiary when required);
- Bankruptcy checks for international based beneficiaries vary but approximately £60 plus VAT per beneficiary;
- Advertisement in the London Gazette and local newspaper approximately £300 plus VAT;
- Financial asset search approximately £220 plus VAT;
- Official copy of the register of titles/other documents from the Land Registry costs £3 per document;;
- ID checks vary but normally up to £8.50 plus VAT per check.