Our Probate Pricing
Kew Law are committed to providing accessible and price competitive probate services. Our pricing is fully transparent, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll pay before making any decisions.
Fixed Price Service
The fees we charge to obtain the grant of probate or obtain the letters of administration includes:-
- meeting with you to take instructions,
- receive from you details of the date of death values for assets and liabilities and the final account,
- prepare as necessary the Statement of Truth,
- send them to you with instruction for signing the Statement,
- apply to the High Court Family Division Probate Registry for the Grant of Representation,
- dealing with Probate Registrar requisitions as appropriate,
- receiving the Grant and sealed official copies and reporting to you.
The fixed fee is quoted on the basis that there is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC.
For more information about our fixed fee services see our fixed fee probate page.
Fixed-fee pricing
Apply for Grant of Probate
Where the deceased left a will
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Fixed-fee pricing
Apply for Letters of Administration
Where the deceased did not leave a will
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Probate and Estate Administration
The fees we charge in obtaining probate and in the administration of estates are directly related to the amount of time administering the estate and the value of the estate itself. If an individual has died without leaving a Will, the process is different as the individual has died intestate. Please ring us to discuss circumstances as the quotation will be calculated on a different basis.
By way of example, our current hourly charging rates are set out below:-
Partners: £260.00 plus VAT
Solicitors and legal assistants: £210.00 plus VAT
Trainee Solicitors: £195.00 plus VAT
Paralegals and other fee earners: £165.00 plus VAT
Routine letters or emails that we write and receive will be charged at one tenth of an hour for short letters and two tenths of an hour for long letters. Routine telephone calls that we make or receive will be charged as units of one tenth of an hour. A value factor will be charged at 1% on the gross value of the assets within the estate other than the private residence (of the late person) which will be charged at only 0.5%. This charge is fairly standard across the solicitors’ profession and is designed to ensure that the solicitor’s charges for services fairly reflect the degree of risk involved in managing large sums of client monies and the cost of providing the appropriate level of Professional Indemnity Insurance to safeguard clients’ interests.
In all cases plus VAT at the prevailing rate and disbursements or third party payments (see below).
Tax-free Estates
We anticipate this will take between 5 and 10 hours of work at the rates above and the total charge is entirely dependent on the value of the assets within the estate and 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. We will handle the full process for you.
This cost indication is for estates where the following assumptions are made:
- 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 other intangible assets;
- There are up to 4 beneficiaries;
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries and/or third parties 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 (or is an excepted estate);
- There are no claims made against the estate.
Taxable Estates
Where the value of the estate is such that we are required to submit an Inheritance Tax Account (IHT400) to HM Revenue & Customs prior to making the application to the Probate Registry, we anticipate this will take between 7 and 12 hours of work at the rates above. Our estimate of costs follows the same assumptions as for a tax-free estate (with the exception that it is anticipated inheritance tax will be payable).
Other Costs
VAT on Solicitors Fees
Our professional charges are subject to payment of VAT. Please note that vat will be payable at the prevailing rate as at the invoice date. You will be provided with a VAT Invoice in respect of our charges.
Inheritance Tax
For Inheritance tax purposes you may find it useful to refer the Government Website for guidance as to the current rates generally.
Disbursements
Disbursements are additional to our legal fee: (Disbursements are expenses related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process):-
- Probate application fee of £300 (payable to Court)
- Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
- £91.08 Deceased Estate Notice in The London Gazette – Protects Executors who are non-beneficiaries against unexpected claims from unknown creditors. This expense depends on the rates charged by The London Gazette at the time of placing the advertisement.
- £TBA Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims. Usually approximately £60 but depends on the newspaper and the area in which the deceased lived. Potential additional costs.
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 £1.50 (1 per asset usually). Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
How long will this take?
Typically, obtaining the grant of probate currently takes 16+ weeks from submission of the application to the Probate Registry.
Collecting assets then follows. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets.
Executors have a period known as the ‘Executors’ Year’ in which it is expected routine estates should be administered though most estates can be wound up in less time than this. On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6- 9 months.
Meet the Team
Head of Department
Our Head of Department is Emma Donovan. Emma is responsible for supervising our team of private client lawyers.
Our Probate Team
Our friendly and experienced probate team will guide you through every step.
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Arrange a Meeting
We don’t stay hidden away. All of our solicitors are friendly, responsive, and ready to help.
Speak Directly with a Solicitor or Conveyancer
We guarantee you’ll be able to contact us directly. No call centres or team leaders.
Arrange a Meeting in person
Arrange a Virtual Meeting
If you’d like to speak to us in person, but are unable to travel, we can arrange a video call with a member of our team.
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