We are pleased to work to a fixed quote for the completion of the probate work. The level of fees will be dependent on the complexity of the estate, along with the number of beneficiaries and the number of assets and accounts.
In addition to our fees there will also be payments we need to make to third-parties to complete the probate process. These include by are not limited to:
- The probate application fee paid to the Probate Registry = £273
- Official copy of the grant of representation = £1.50
- Placing a notice in a local newspaper = £80
- Placing a notice in the London Gazette = £110
Beyond these disbursements there will be other disbursements that vary considerably these would include:
- Third-party valuations of property
- Third-party valuations of other high value assets such as antiques and jewellery.
Before we start work on your matter, we will provide you with an estimate for the work that we propose to provide, based on the information that you are able to give to us at that time. Please try to be as accurate as possible with the information you provide as if there are significant variations from the information provided this may necessitate an increase in the estimate. We would always advise you in advance and in writing if an increase is necessary, providing you with the reason and the revised estimate.
To provide you with an indication of our pricing the following are three examples covering the range of estates we tend to deal with, but please remember every estate is different so they are only a guide:
Example 1 – A simple estate with one residential property, two bank accounts, no shares and two beneficiaries. The estate is valued at below £200,000.
Legal fees for the work of:
Spriggs Probate Services Ltd
- Drafting and submitting the application to the Probate Registry
£1250.00
Spriggs & Co Ltd (the accountancy firm)
- Valuation of the estate
- Calculation of the inheritance tax (verifying that it does not apply)
- Administration of the estate
£1650.00
Applicable disbursements:
- Probate Registry fee £ 273.00
- Three official copies of the grant of probate £ 4.50
- Notice in local paper. £ 80.00
- Notice in the London Gazette. £ 110.00
Value added Tax (VAT) £ 596.00
Total for fees, disbursements, and VAT £3963.50
All fees are paid directly to Spriggs & Co Ltd (the accountancy firm).
Example 2 – A more complex estate with one residential property, three bank accounts, shares and four beneficiaries. The estate is valued at £500,000.
Legal fees for the work of:
Spriggs Probate Services Ltd
- Drafting and submitting the application to the Probate Registry
£1250.00
Spriggs & Co Ltd (the accountancy firm)
- Valuation of the estate
- Calculation of the inheritance tax
- Administration of the estate
£6300.00
Applicable disbursements:
- Probate Registry fee £ 273.00
- Four official copies of the grant of probate £ 6.00
- Notice in local paper. £ 80.00
- Notice in the London Gazette. £ 110.00
- Fee for the valuation of the property £ 450.00
- Fee for the sale of the property (min 1% fee of property value) £3000.00
Value added Tax (VAT) £2216.00
Total for fees, disbursements, and VAT £13685.00
All fees are paid directly to Spriggs & Co Ltd (the accountancy firm). Please note property valuation fees and conveyancing fees, are fees that will be paid to third-party providers so can vary significantly, but a quotation will always be obtained before the services of such third-party providers are engaged.
Please also remember this figure does not include the inheritance tax that had to be paid from the estate. In this example that amounted to £64550.00 but can vary significantly due to applicable tax allowances.
Example 3 – A complex estate with two residential properties, a business, four bank accounts, shares and six beneficiaries. The estate is valued at £1,500,000.
Legal fees for the work of:
Spriggs Probate Services Ltd
- Drafting and submitting the application to the Probate Registry
£1250.00
Spriggs & Co Ltd (the accountancy firm)
- Valuation of the estate
- Calculation of the inheritance tax
- Administration of the estate
£28500.00
Applicable disbursements:
- Probate Registry fee £ 273.00
- Four official copies of the grant of probate £ 6.00
- Notice in local paper. £ 80.00
- Notice in the London Gazette. £ 110.00
- Fee for the valuation of the property £ 450.00
- Fee for the sale of the property (min 1% fee of property value) £3000.00
Value added Tax (VAT) £6656.00
Total for fees, disbursements, and VAT £40325.00
All fees are paid directly to Spriggs & Co Ltd (the accountancy firm). Please note property valuation fees and conveyancing fees, are fees that will be paid to third-party providers so can vary significantly, but a quotation will always be obtained before the services of such third-party providers are engaged.
Please also remember this figure does not include the inheritance tax that had to be paid from the estate. In this example that amounted to £453750.00 but can vary significantly due to applicable tax allowances.