Our Costs for Probate

The exact cost will depend 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.

Our pricing is based on estates where;

Probate – Full Administration

Rowleys will deal with the full administration of the estate.  We will liaise with the Executors on the day to day administration, liaise with Third parties on closing accounts, collate funds, inform creditors and distribute funds to the beneficiaries.

This is dealt with on an hourly rate basis.

Where our Probate fee earners work on an hourly rate basis, this means that they will accurately record time spent on dealing with any matter and once probate is granted we will produce a quarterly invoice for the time spent in dealing with the administration of the estate.  Once approved, these invoices will then be deducted from these estate assets meaning the executors do not pay these personally.

Although we work on an hourly rate, all Fee Earners will provide a full cost estimate for the estate.

Our range of fees

These prices assume that the estate is uncontested (not disputed) and where all assets are within the UK.

Simple Estate

IHT 205
£4,750 – £5,950 plus VAT

Where the value of the estate is below the £325,000 inheritance tax threshold.

And/or, where the deceased leaves everything above the £325,000 threshold to a spouse, civil partner, a charity or a community amateur sports club. If there are legacies or gifts to charity the Medium Estate fee will be charged.

For deaths on or after 1 January 2022, we will consider whether a IHT205 is required.

Medium Estate

RNRB pushes value under IHT threshold
£9,000 – £11,250 plus VAT

Where RNRB (Residence Nil Rate Band/s) can be claimed and the remaining value of the estate then falls under the Inheritance Tax threshold (currently £325,000)

We would deal with the application for RNRB and deal with the Government on the exemption to inheritance tax

Complex Estate

IHT payable
£11,900 – £14,200 plus VAT

Although RNRB could still apply the value of the estate would still be above the Inheritance Tax threshold.Examples of estates of this nature are usually where the deceased owns up to several properties, or has business assets

What does this cost include?

Timescale – Full Administration

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 8-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 3 – 6 months.  Collecting in assets then follows, which can take between 2 – 4 months.  Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2 – 4 weeks once the Estate Accounts have been approved by the Executors of the estate and we hold all identifications and clear bankruptcy searches on the beneficiaries of the estate.

Disbursements – Full Administration

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees.  We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Listed below are the most common disbursements incurred in a probate matter. Some costs are required in all cases, other may not be applicable and other costs may vary depending on other circumstances as listed below.

Disbursements

Price

VAT

Total

Certainty Will search

£105.00

£21.00

£126.00

Probate application fee

£300.00

£300.00

Statutory advertisement – London Gazette only

£92.00

£18.40

£110.40

Statutory advertisement – local

*costs will be quoted when local paper has been contacted

TBC

TBC

TBC

Bankruptcy & Insolvency Search

*overseas searches are dependent on the country

£7.00

£1.40

£8.40

Additional copies of Grant of Probate

£1.50 per copy

£1.50

Hourly Rates

Authorised Individual £358.00 (excluding VAT)
Senior Associates £225.00 (excluding VAT)
Administrator £115.00 (excluding VAT)

Potential additional costs

 If there is no Will or the estate consists of more than 6 properties and/or 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.

Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

Scope of Services PROBATE PACKAGE
Simple Estate Medium Estate Complex Estate
Review all paperwork (including the death certificate and original will (if applicable) X X X
Obtain values of the estate, assets and liabilities X X X
Calculation of gross and net values of estate X X X
Calculation of inheritance tax due X X X
Arranging payment of IHT X
Prepare Statement of Truth X X X
Apply to Probate Registry for the Grant of Representation X X X
Receive Grant of Probate X X X
Place statutory notices in local newspaper & Gazette X X X
Pay all known debts and liabilities of estate X X
Pay legacies X X
Finalise the estate tax X X
Distribute the residuary estate X X
Estate accounts X X

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Registered to carry on audit work in the UK; regulated for a range of investment business activities; and licensed to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.  Associate Directors of the firm are not Directors of The Rowleys Partnership Limited (registered no. 06125028) and are not subject to the obligations and responsibilities of Directors within Part 10 of the Companies Act 2006.  Any reference to an individual with the job title “Partner” refers to someone who is a Director of The Rowleys Partnership Limited and also a registered member of Rowleys Group LLP (registered no. OC306056)  A list of Directors and Members are available at Companies House. Details of our audit registration can be viewed at www.auditregister.org.uk and details of our probate registration can be viewed at www.icaew.com/probate, both under reference number C001486455. View our Legal and Privacy PolicyView our Terms of Business