Uncontested probate – Full administration

Our experienced private client team acts on behalf of executors and administrators to obtain grants of probate or administration. The firm is also instructed to deal with the administration of estates.  Our costs for dealing with these matters are based upon our hourly charges.

Range of costs

Simple Matters £5,000 – £10,000 plus VAT (currently 20%)

A simple probate is likely to involve an estate where there is one property, one bank account (or a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution) and one beneficiary; all of which are located in the UK

Medium Complexity Matters £10,000 – £30,000 plus VAT (currently 20%)

These matters are likely to involve one property, multiple bank accounts with different financial institutions and/or an investment portfolio, and multiple beneficiaries.

More Complex Matters – £30,000 + plus VAT  (currently 20%)

Estates where there is more than one property, multiple bank accounts, multiple other asset classes, and/or more complex asset classes including intangible assets, business interests and/or foreign based assets. There may be numerous classes of beneficiaries, the potential for deeds of variation and complex negotiations with HM Revenue and Customs, and setting up trusts arising from the estate or dealing with trusts in which the deceased had an interest at their death.  There may also be issues in relation to domicile and tax residency.

Please note – Fees in respect of selling property held by the estate (in all cases whether simple or complex) and the ongoing administration of a trust set up by a Will are charged separately.

There are a number of factors that could make the matter more complex and in turn increase costs. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Challenges from HMRC regarding inheritance tax returns and subsequent negotiations
• Assets requiring a complex valuation process (for example: chattels, business assets);
• Challenges from beneficiaries or third parties (including Inheritance Act claims, and any contentious work charged separately)
• Implementation of Deeds of Variation
• Complications in dealing with transfer of assets – e.g lost share certificates
• Discovery of further assets, either in the UK or in other jurisdictions, where full financial affairs of the deceased not known at the time of instructions being given
• Clients who initiate regular and/or repetitive correspondence
• Involvement of multiple executors (usually 3 or 4), executors who may be located in different jurisdictions, executors who are in disagreement during the course of the administration
• Time delays, including those caused by failure to provide accurate instructions, difficulties obtaining information about the assets and liabilities of the deceased

There are a number of factors that could make the matter simpler and in turn decrease costs. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Clients responding promptly
• Level of sophistication of the client and willingness to assist with aspects of administration such as acquiring date of death balances / value of assets, supervising probate property clearance and/or sale

Additional Disbursements

There are a number of disbursements that may need to be paid in addition to the above costs including:

• Probate fees – depends on value of Estate under new rules
• Swear fees – personal representative (usually)
• Land Registry fees – dependent on value of property
• Valuation fees – chattels, property, business etc. dependent on value and type of valuation required
• Statutory notices
• Bankruptcy searches
• Land Registry Search on title
• Tracing Application – price on application

 Timescales

We estimate that the typical timescale for an uncontested probate matter, of simple to medium complexity, is 6-18 months but this is dependent on a number of factors.

The team

Roger Peters is a Senior Partner with the private client team and is based at our London office. Roger has over 45 years post qualification experience in guiding clients through probate and administration of estates, wills, inheritance tax and trusts processes. He works alongside other highly qualified and skilled individuals within the private client team. For individual profiles of the team, click on the links below.

• Roger Peters – Partner
• Anna Coakes – Partner
• Matthew Biles – Partner
• Amelia Beringer – Associate
• Kieran Forsyth – Solicitor

Other team members

• Eleanor Bing – Trainee Solicitor
  Eleanor completed her BA in History, Graduate Diploma in Law (distinction) and Legal Practice Course (distinction). She currently assists the private client team as a Trainee Solicitor.
• Cheryl Clark – Paralegal
  Cheryl is a Paralegal with the Private Client team based in London. Cheryl previously worked as a Personal Assistant to a Family Solicitor/Judge for 22 years and she's also qualified as a Bereavement Counsellor.
• Linda McDonald – Paralegal
  Linda is a Paralegal at Ince and spend 70% of her time supporting the Private Client team in London. In her previous capacity, Linda was an AML Compliance Manger for 10 years. 

For more information

For more information about using our professional services for uncontested probate matters, please get in touch either by telephone, email or our website enquiry form.  One of our team would be delighted to speak to you and provide you with a fixed fee bespoke to your needs.