Wills & Estates Pricing Information

Obtaining a Grant only:

Estate less than £325,000 – there is no IHT (“Inheritance Tax” – the tax sometimes payable on estates) to pay

£600 plus VAT

Estate greater than £325,000 – then IHT issues may arise. Please ring for a fixed quote as there are many variables. Price likely to be in the region of £600 to £1,500 plus VAT depending on whether IHT is payable, whether it is necessary to find out information about a deceased spouse and the number and nature of the assets.

In simple cases a Grant can be obtained within 6-8 weeks of receiving your instructions.

Obtaining a Grant, collecting and distributing assets:

We can agree a fixed fee for dealing with the administration or work can be charged at an hourly rate (see rates below). We will give you a costs bracket (i.e. the total costs we will charge within a defined range) and timescale once we have more information from you. We will also estimate any IHT liability at that time.

As a normal part of our service we will:

• Ascertain the assets and liabilities of the estate (if not already done)
• Complete on your behalf the probate documents to be signed by the Personal Representatives (“PRs” – called Executors if appointed by a Will)
• Calculate the IHT and advise on how to pay it
• Make an application for a Grant
• Pay any IHT
• Prepare forms for the PRs to sign to sell/cash in/transfer assets
• Collect in those assets
• Pay any debts
• Finalise matters with HMRC about IHT
• Prepare estate accounts and
• Distribute the estate

The factors that might change our fees as the time spent (and hence the cost) will depend on many factors:

• Whether we are the Executors or one of them
• Whether there is a Will and any difficulties in finding one
• How many assets are in the estate, especially if there is more than one property
• Ascertaining liabilities
• Difficulties in locating Deeds, share certificates or other documents of title
• How many beneficiaries and their traceability. Costs will rise markedly when there is difficulty finding beneficiaries when there is no Will (known as “intestacies)
• Whether IHT is payable
• Difficulties in valuing assets e.g. properties, shares in private companies
• Whether there are contested aspects of the estate
• Whether it is necessary to advertise for creditors.

N.B.

• In all cases where a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is needed there is a Probate Registry fee of £300 plus an additional £1.50 per sealed copy required
• There will be separate costs for the sale or transfer of any property in the estate
• VAT is currently 20%
• If other external payments are recommended e.g. paying an accountant to do an income tax return or a genealogist to find a beneficiary or prepare a family tree then we will discuss this with you.

Hourly Rates 

• Tom Morrish – £275 + VAT
• Emma Garfitt – £250 + VAT

It is impossible to give any accurate estimate at the outset of the time it will take to administer the estate. All estates are different. If there is a property to sell then the administration will probably take longer than otherwise. A “best estimate” will be given in writing as soon as it is practicable and we will regularly update you to inform you about costs.