These Probate costs apply in relation to the collection and distribution of assets belonging to a person following their death, where these are within the UK and the matters are not contested. If the matter is contested, we will discuss any further work required and provide you with revised advice about costs, if necessary, which could be on a fixed fee basis (eg, if a one-off letter is required) or an hourly rate if more extensive work is needed.
If you or a family member is confused as to whether you require a probate solicitor, some areas which our team of probate lawyers are able to assist include:
Chris is excellent at getting to grips quickly with our members’ legal issues, and giving practical, succinct and jargon-free advice.
We have several fee earners that can assist who charge on an hourly rate. The hourly rate varies depending on the fee earner who is assisting. Our Legal Executives and Solicitors up to 2 years post qualification experience charge hourly rates from £175 - £250 excluding VAT at a rate of 20% . Our senior Solicitors such as Associates charge hourly rates from £250 - £350 excluding VAT at a rate of 20% . We can offer on limited cases, depending on the nature of the case, fixed fee and this will be discussed with you at the start and agreed before any work is commenced. All work is supervised by a director of the firm. You will be notified at the start of your matter who will be working on your case and who you can contact should you have any concerns with our service.
Aside from the above an example of the range of charges for the different services we provide, are as follows:-
This is based on our hourly rates, the value and complexity of the estate and our experience of dealing with comparable matters.
Our fee includes:
Our fee does not include:
Disbursements are payments that we make to third parties on your behalf. These are costs for which the estate is liable for but in addition to our costs. We make the payments for disbursements on your behalf.
Typical disbursements in probate matters are:
*Costs quoted apply only where (a) all assets held by the deceased are in the UK and (b) the matter is not contested in anyway. One example of a contested estate is where a claim has been made under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975.
**Only payable where a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration is required to administer the estate of the deceased.
For advice only instructions this will normally take around two weeks, and normally comprises an initial meeting face to face or online and a follow-up letter of advice.
A typical timescale where an estate does not require an application to be made for a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration is from three months to six months.
A typical timescale where an estate does require an application to be made for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is around nine to twelve months.
All the above timescales are estimates and depending on the circumstances they may take longer.
For further details on our Probate Team please click here
We have offices in London, Birmingham, Cambridge, Oxford (all by appointment only), Leicester and our administrative office is in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
All correspondence and post should be sent to our Administrative office in Market Harborough and we shall not be liable in the event that correspondence is sent elsewhere.
