Estate Administration Prices

The costs estimates given below apply to estates where there is a Will and a Grant of Probate is required, and also where there is no Will and a Grant of Letters of Administration is required.

IHT 205, Applying for a grant

IHT205 where you are providing all information themselves:

• Likely fees: £850 to £1,200 plus VAT and disbursements

IHT205 where we are required to obtain asset information and correspond with third parties:

• Likely fees: £1000 to £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements

IHT 205, Applying for a grant collecting and distributing the assets to less than 10 beneficiaries

After obtaining the grant of probate, the executors must gather in the assets of the deceased, discharge any liabilities and then distribute the estate in accordance with the Will or the intestacy rules.  The work usually involved is: 

• Preparation of closure/transfer forms
• Corresponding with banks and organisations to release funds
• Selling property shares and investments
• Collecting in funds
• Settling liabilities
• Dealing with any income received and preparing R185 forms
• Drawing up estate accounts
• Dealing with distribution – including verifying beneficiary ID and information and carrying out bankruptcy searches

 In addition to the fees involved in obtaining a grant, likely fees: £1,000 to £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements. Likely timescales – 6-8 weeks from grant (excluding sale of property).

IHT 400 , Applying for a grant

IHT400 required but no inheritance tax payable and you are providing all information:

Likely fees: £2,000 to £4,500 plus VAT and disbursements 

IHT400 required, no inheritance tax payable but we are required to obtain estate information:

Likely fees: £2,900 to £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements 

IHT400 required, inheritance tax payable and you are providing all information:

Likely fees: £3,750 to £6,000 plus VAT and disbursements 

IHT400 required, inheritance tax payable but we are required to obtain estate information:

Likely fees: £4,750 to £7,000 plus VAT and disbursements

Disbursements

In addition to our fees a range of disbursements would also be payable. 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 and if there is sufficient money in the estate we will often fund these for you and then seek reimbursement from the estate. In some cases we will insist on you making payment to us on account before we incur disbursements. Disbursements that are typically incurred are:

• Probate application fee of £273 plus £1.50 for each sealed copy of the Grant
• £7 Swearing of the oath (per executor)
• Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per UK based beneficiary)
• £200- £250 per Advert in The London Gazette and local newspaper – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
• Bank transfer fees – per transfer (within the UK): £30.00

Other disbursements can be incurred depending on circumstances.

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.

Examples of complicating factors on taxable estates only:

• HMRC decide to investigate any part of the IHT 400 form
• DWP claims such as overpayments etc
• Business accounts are not up to date or there is other missing information
• The 36% rate for IHT applies due to charity beneficiaries
• Quick succession relief applies
• There are a large amount of lifetime gifts
• A loan is required to fund the Inheritance Tax
• Assets increasing or reducing in value significantly between date of death and date of sale

If complicating factors arise then extra time will be charged at our standard hourly rates set out below. The hourly rate will depend upon the experience of the solicitor allocated to your matter and the complexities involved.

Our hourly rates for our solicitors are as follows:

Grade A: £255 + VAT

Grade B: £218 + VAT

Grade C: £177 + VAT

Grade D: £126 + VAT 

All rates are subject to VAT at 20%

How long will the process take?

On average, estates administration can be dealt with between  6-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 3 – 6 months, but much depends on how easy it is to collate details of the assets and liabilities in the estate as at the date of death. Collecting assets then follows. Once this has been done and any debts and the estate expenses paid, steps can be taken to distribute and finalise the estate. In some cases, it may be necessary for the estate to file income or capital gains tax returns before finalisation. We can provide a more accurate timescale upon instruction.

Team members

Head of Department: Damian Clode
Solicitors: Mary Minton

For more information on the team members please see the about us page.

Contact us

It is difficult to provide a one size fits all quote for estate administrations. Inheritance tax may be payable on an estate and the tax is not included in our estimate of fees and disbursements. Inheritance Tax is a complicated tax with many liabilities, exemptions and reliefs. If you would like to get a better idea how much our services will cost you please contact us and let us know more about your case. We will then provide you with a personalised quote or fee estimate.