Probate is often required at an emotional and challenging time, and our clients rely on the openness and transparency that we bring to the process. We work closely with our clients to ensure every essential aspect is addressed, delving into more detail when it’s beneficial. This approach is especially important in the context of Probate.
In England and Wales, Probate typically refers to the legal and financial responsibilities associated with managing the assets - property, finances, and possessions - of someone who has passed away.
At GloverPriest, we offer a range of probate services to suit your needs. From a comprehensive estate administration service - where we take care of everything for you - to a grant-only service that allows you to manage the estate yourself after we have obtained the necessary legal documentation. This gives you a clear understanding of potential fees, ensuring you receive the right level of support to match your individual circumstances.
If there are any additional costs, including disbursements (such as payments made to third parties on your behalf), you’ll find examples outlined below.
Our charges may be based upon hourly rates which are reviewed annually. Our current hourly rates range between £175 plus VAT of £35 (gross £210) and £330 plus VAT of £66 (gross £396), depending upon the level of experience. If you instruct us, we will set out the relevant hourly rate in our Client Care Letter.
Probate Supervisor: Nicholas Bennette
(Gavin Glover if Nicholas Bennette is working the file)
PROBATE PRICING OPTIONS
The cost of our probate services vary depending on the specific details of the estate. We understand that no two cases are the same, so we’ve structured our services to give you the support that fits your situation.
Fixed Fees:
Estate Administration
From applying for the grant of probate to sorting out tax matters and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries, we manage the entire process for you. Our fees are usually paid from the estate, so you may not have to worry about covering the costs yourself.
Grant Only
We’ll help you obtain the necessary grant of probate or representation and, from there, you can take over the rest. You will be required to pay our fees and disbursements upon application for the grant.
If you prefer hourly billing, we’ll give you an estimate based on the complexity of the estate, with a minimum and maximum cost.
Fees will vary depending on the individual details. Get in touch with us for a personalised quote, and we’ll be happy to walk you through everything. To give you an accurate estimate, please be aware that we’ll need to know the details of the estate, including the value of assets and any debts or liabilities.
THE EXAMPLES WE PROVIDE ARE INTENDED AS A GUIDE ONLY – FOR A DETAILED ESTIMATE, SPECIFIC TO YOUR EXACT REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT US SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE INFORMED, CORRECT DECISION THAT YOU NEED, WANT AND DESERVE.
Prices shown + VAT at 20%
EXCLUSIONS
Our fees cover all the core services needed to handle the probate process, but there are some matters that may fall outside the scope of our standard service. Where additional costs are likely, we will notify you at the earliest opportunity and provide a clear estimate for these extra services.
Our probate fees do not include:
- Advising on foreign assets, although we can work with advisors in other jurisdictions to assist in managing overseas properties or investments.
- Handling claims made against the estate or dealing with contentious matters - these would be handled separately as part of a different service.
Additional services that would incur separate charges include:
- Sale or transfer of property from the estate.
- Administering trusts created under the Will or through intestacy.
- Completing a deed of variation.
- Managing additional or outstanding income tax returns.
TIMINGS
The probate process can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the estate and the speed of response from various third parties. While we aim to complete the process as efficiently as possible, some aspects are dependent on external factors.
Key stages involved in probate and the expected timeframes for each step:
- Identifying assets and liabilities - 6 to 12 weeks.
- Inheritance Tax (IHT) submission - 4 to 12 weeks.
- Applying for the Grant of Probate - Up to 5 weeks.
- Collecting the estate's assets and settling liabilities - Several weeks to months.
- Finalising the estate - Can extend up to 10 months after the Grant of Probate is issued.
In most cases, even simple estates can take several months to administer fully. We will keep you updated throughout the process and ensure that any delays are communicated to you promptly.
EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
This page provides examples of the average costs and fees involved with these types of legal matters. Each client has their own set of circumstances, however, so there will be occasions when exceptional circumstances add to the complexity and time taken to reach a conclusion. We will always keep you fully informed of any change in costs and circumstances and explain why, too. In these situations, our fees may exceed those quoted above, but we will notify you in advance if we need to exceed an original estimate.
DISBURSEMENTS
“Disbursements” are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Court fees and a barrister’s fee. These may include:
- Probate Registry Fee: This is the fee paid to the government for issuing the Grant of Probate.
- Property Valuation Fees: If property forms part of the estate, a professional valuation may be required.
- Inheritance Tax Payments: If the estate is subject to inheritance tax, this will need to be calculated and paid to HMRC.
There may also be additional expenses which are charges we will make in addition to our fees, such as an Electronic ID fee. We will always be upfront with you as to how much these charges are and what they relate to. If you instruct us, we set out any additional expenses in our Client Care Letter.