Probate Solicitor fees

Bloomfield Solicitors can help you through this difficult process by either obtaining the grant for you or assisting you with the full administration of the estate.

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets

The pertinent question to ask is what are ‘grant only’ probate and ‘full estate administration’? This is for the fact that when you look at the cost of probate, you will notice the term ‘full estate administration’ and ‘grant only’ probate.

Grant only probate only covers the process of getting a grant of probate. A grant of probate is necessary to prove you have the right to administer the estate and access the deceased’s personal accounts. ‘Full estate administration’ is where the services will handle everything to do with wrapping up and distributing someone’s property and assets.

The cost of probate has two main components: fixed costs and variable costs. Fixed costs are essentially the probate application fee. Variable costs are effectively anything else, including our services. The fixed cost is a minimum of £155, and the variable fee is likely to be around 1-2.25% of the value of the estate, plus VAT of 20%.

If you complete probate yourself, in England or Wales, the probate application fee will be £215 to get the Grant of Representation. You do not have to pay this fee if the Estate you’re dealing with is valued at less than £5,000. If you use our service, then the grant of probate cost drops to £155.

Costs information

Probate work is undertaken by Bloomfield Solicitors under a fixed fee arrangement, at hourly rates or percentages depending on the complexity of the case. There is an initial consultation with clients to discuss and give a fee quote.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

The fees set out below cover probate work in uncontested cases where all the assets are in the UK. This is intended as a guide as every estate is different and we suggest that you contact our office for an estimate based on your particular circumstances.

Obtaining a grant only

Where the estate is less than £325,000, and there is no Inheritance Tax (“IHT” – the tax sometimes payable on estates) to pay and HMRC will accept form IHT205, our fee is £1000.00 plus VAT of 20%.

Where the estate is greater than £325,000 then IHT issues may arise. Our fees are likely to be in the region of £1000.00 – £2500.00 plus VAT of 20%.

We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:

• There is a valid will
• There is no more than one property
• There is no more than 2 bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets
• There are 2-3 beneficiaries
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries on 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.

A higher fixed fee will apply if there are other factors or complexities or if a more senior fee earner works on the case. We anticipate this will take between 10 and 12 hours work at £250 per hour. Total costs estimated at -£2500-3000 (+VAT of 20%). Though this can be discussed at the initial consultation once the work that needs to be done has been tabled.

In simple cases, a Grant can be obtained within 4 weeks of receiving your instructions and valuations of the assets and liabilities of the estate from you.

Matters which may affect the fixed fee

Any additional work required, for example, the conveyancing of any property in the estate, bringing income tax affairs up to date to the date of death, preparing a Deed of Variation or dealing with a trust that comes to an end on the death, or dealing with overseas assets will be charged for separately with your agreement.

As part of our fixed fee we will:

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter.
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
• Draft a legal oath for you to swear
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
• Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you
• Collect and distribute all assets in the estate.

Obtaining a grant and administering the estate

Gross Value	Fixed Fee/Percentage (plus VAT of 20%)
Up to £100,000	£2,000
Up to £200,000	£4,000
Up to £325,000	£5,000
£325,000 – £650,000	2% of gross value
£650,000 – £1,000,000	2.25% of gross value
Above £1,000,000	1.25% of gross value

Our fee will cover:

• Ascertaining the value of the assets and liabilities of the estate.
• Completing on your behalf the Inland Revenue forms and relevant Oath to be signed by the Personal Representatives (“PRs”), Executor(s) or Administrator(s)
• Calculate the IHT and advise on how to pay it
• Pay any IHT
• Make an application for a Grant
• Prepare forms for the PRs to sign to sell/cash in or transfer assets
• Initial correspondence with beneficiaries and legatees to advise of their entitlement and an estimated timescale
• Register the Grant of Probate where necessary and collect in the assets of the estate
• Pay any debts and legacies
• Finalise matters with HMRC about IHT
• Prepare estate accounts
• Distribute the estate
• Reporting to HMRC with details of any income received or capital gains arising during the administration period

Disbursements (fees payable to others)

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. Disbursements are NOT included in this estimate and are additional to the fixed fee.

It includes the following:

• Probate application fee of £215.00(Personal application)
• Probate court fee of £155
• The probate fee increased from £273 to £300 in May 2024 plus £1.50 for each copy required
• £7.00 to £10.00 Swearing of the oath (per executor)
• The official entry of a house or property into the Land Registry of £3 plus VAT
• Bankruptcy search fee £2.00 per search (this will be higher if a beneficiary lives abroad)
• Around £5 plus VAT to have an electronic ID search done
• New Land Registry registration fees, which depend on the value and nature of the property
• Stockbroker fees of approximately £25 to £150
• S27 Advertisement in a local newspaper and the London Gazette, which is £150-£300, depending on how much the local paper advert costs
• Possibly an accountant’s fee for an income tax return or other financial work
• Asset tracing fees
• Other costs where there are complications, like for lost share certificates
• Copies of the death certificate for life insurance claims

Potential additional costs

• If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range 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.
• If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £0.50 (1 per asset usually).
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

How long will this take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 4 months. It is difficult to give a definitive guideline as each estate is different and there may, for example, be a delay in selling property or Inheritance Tax complications or difficulty tracing beneficiaries. On average it will take about 2 months to be in a position to apply for a grant and it can take a further 6-9 months thereafter to finalise the estate.

Other probate work undertaken at BLOOMFIELD SOLICITORS

We can help in situations where there are:

• Disputes
• More than one property
• Outstanding creditors
• Other forms of assets
• Overseas assets

Please contact us to discuss any help you might need in relation to the above or any other probate related matters and to obtain a quote for the work that is needed.

Our fees are usually payable out of the estate, not personally by the Personal Representatives.

Your matter will be handled by Hakeem Olajuwon who is assisted by Felix Emueze