Probate Fee Guide

Probate Fee Guide

Oldgate Trustees are a Boutique Firm specialising in Wealth Preservation and Asset Protection for Business Owners and Wealthy Individuals.


Consequently Probate work (as distinct from Trust work) tends to form a smaller (but regular) part of our services and is often undertaken where we have been appointed as professional Executors, an existing client has passed away or the matter is referred to us from our professional introducers or introduced via client recommendation.


As Probate work falls within the scope of our services, we are required under the SRA’s Transparency Rules to provide information concerning the price and remit of the service offered.


Bereavement is ordinarily an extremely emotional and distressing time for those close to the person who has passed away. The added complexity of dealing with the deceased person’s Estate can make a difficult time even more overwhelming.


At Oldgate Trustees we can assist with the obtaining of any necessary Grant of Probate (where a Will has been left) or Letters of Administration (where there is no Will), provide advice upon any Inheritance Tax liabilities and considerations, and as required deal with the administration of the deceased person’s Estate including collecting in of assets, payment of liabilities and distributions to beneficiaries or the implementation of Trust provisions.


As every Estate is different our costs will very much be determined by the individual circumstances and complexities of the matter, including:

  • Whether a Will has been left;
  • The number and value of the deceased person’s assets;
  • Whether business or agricultural assets are involved;
  • Inheritance Tax liabilities;
  • The number and age of beneficiaries; and
  • Whether there are any disputes between the beneficiaries.


Our fees will therefore reflect the particular requirements of the Estate and because of this it is very difficult to provide a reliable estimate of our likely costs until we have details of the Estate in question and what is required of us. We are happy to undertake a free initial telephone consultation to discuss the matter and so as to enable us to then provide a comprehensive fee estimate. 


In certain matters we are instructed to only apply for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. This is where there are no complexities or Inheritance Tax liabilities and we are provided with the necessary information to enable us to prepare the Probate Application form and accompanying Inheritance Tax Form IHT 205 and submit them to the Probate Registry. Such applications typically take between 4 and 12 weeks to process and following issue of the Grant we would provide copies to the Applicant to enable them to release Estate assets and administer the Estate. Our fees for such Grant only application typically range from between £1500.00 and £2000.00 plus VAT and disbursements. VAT is charged at 20%. Typical disbursement costs are detailed below.

In other matters we may be requested to undertake enquiries to establish the value of the assets and liabilities of the Estate prior to preparing the Probate Application and accompanying Inheritance Tax Return, to arrange payment of the Inheritance Tax liabilities and then following the issue of the Grant obtain release of the Estate assets, payment of liabilities and legacies and the ultimate distribution to beneficiaries and or upon trusts created by the Will. In these circumstances our costs are charged on a time spent basis and can typically range from between £10,000 to £40,000 plus VAT (at 20%) and disbursements dependent upon the complexity of the matter. In very complex cases our costs may be higher than this.


Time spent is charged according to the hourly rate of the fee earner involved who is assigned to the matter and ranges between between £300 and £450.00 plus VAT per hour. VAT is charged at 20%.


Once we have assessed the complexity of the Estate in question, we will be able to provide a time estimate and ordinarily agree a maximum time cost figure which we will not exceed without prior approval. In some cases, a fixed fee can be agreed.


Typical disbursements incurred during the administration of an Estate include:

  • Probate Court Fee – currently £273.00;
  • Official copies of the Grant - £1.50 each;
  • Bankruptcy Search - £2.00 per beneficiary;
  • Land Registry Search - £7.00; and
  • Statutory Notices in the London Gazette and a local newspaper – circa £200.00 + VAT.


In addition other additional costs may be incurred during the Estate Administration such as:


  • Valuation fees for properties and contents;
  • House clearance costs;
  • Estate Agents fees;
  • Legal fees upon the sale or transfer of property; and
  • Fees for finalising Tax affairs.


The time that it will take to conclude the matter again depends upon its complexity and the assets involved. Ordinarily it can take between 6 and 12 months to administer an Estate but this may be much longer where there is property to sell or protracted Inheritance Tax issues. A relatively simple Estate with cash assets and few beneficiaries may take less time to administer. 


Please contact us on telephone number 0191 429 2637 or by email enquiries@oldgatetrustees.co.uk if we can be of assistance or if further information is required. 

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