June 17

Guide to Probate Fees

Wills, Trusts & Probate

Services Provided

We provide a personal service by a highly skilled legal team. We have handled 100’s of Probates and drafted 1000’s of Wills. All that expertise is available to our clients on tap and at any time.

Meet The Team

We very much appreciate that first meeting with the Executors and close family, to collect key information, offer early advice, take instructions and to get to know each other. We never forget that winding up an estate is not just about money. Our clients and family are grieving.

Jeremy Davies
Jeremy Davies

Head of Wills & Probate

Jeremy has over 35 years’ experience in the Law, qualifying as a Solicitor in 1990.

He has extensive knowledge and is known for his efficiency and friendly manner.

Jeremy runs an effective team, aiming to provide an excellent service to all our clients.

Lisa Bailey
Lisa Bailey

PARALEGAL

Lisa has worked for Sanders Witherspoon since January 2016 and is a valuable member of our Wills & Probate team.

Life is frequently more complicated than we first anticipate. We expect to be discussing the estate frequently as the weeks and months go by. There are many decisions to be made, technical issues to address and we also get involved in down to earth questions such as how best to sell property or deal with beneficiaries. Our clients benefit from our extensive knowledge and practical judgement.

What is covered?

We expect to obtain the Grant of Probate, call in the assets, pay the debts and distribute to the beneficiaries.

Specifically:

  • Obtain valuations of all the assets and liabilities in a form that complies with HMRC requirements
  • Draft the Inland Revenue Account
  • Calculate the Inheritance Tax, after claiming exemptions and reliefs
  • Arrange payment, usually it is possible to pay the tax from assets in the estate. (Not all estates are taxable.)
  • Draft the papers and obtain the Grant of Probate (Letters of Administration where there is no Will)
  • Call in the assets
  • Pay the funeral, debts and costs of the administration
  • Draft Estate Accounts
  • Arrange distribution

There are many other things which are relevant not mentioned above or which come up. We always consider not just what needs to be done but also the cost involved. For example, if a family member lives near the house and is prepared to deal with the utilities that is work we do not have to do and therefore not charge for.

This is a simple example of what we do: we identify the issues, simplify where possible and agree not just what has to be done but who is going to do it. We continue that conversation right up to the end and distribution.

We hold the monies for the estate and proceeds of assets on Client Account, a ledger opened specifically for this purpose. The Estate Accounts clearly set out what monies came in, what was paid out and how the beneficiaries individual shares are made up.

What is not covered

We do not normally complete tax returns.

Costs & Fees

One estate varies so much from another and complications frequently come up. It is therefore almost impossible to predict at the outset what the final costs will be.

We assess our fees by reference to the time involved and the value of the estate. This is fair to our clients and fair to us. If there is a lot of work to be done the bill will be high. If there is not so much to do, then the bill will be lower.

Time

This is all the letters, emails, telephone calls, attendances and meetings, preparation, drafting documents and so on, to which an hourly rate is applied. 

Our current charging rates are:

Jeremy Davies

£325

Lisa Bailey

£175

Fiona McCarthy

£175


Value

This reflects the firm’s responsibility in holding monies, drafting Estate Accounts paying debts and expenses and distribution to the correct beneficiaries:

  • When we act for the partners in this firm as the Executors, it is calculated at the rate of 1.5% of the gross value of the estate and 0.75% for the house. 
  • Where we act for lay Personal Representatives the figure is 1% for the gross estate and 0.5% for the house.

The gross value of the estate for these purposes includes all assets described in the Inland Revenue Account, any share of jointly owned property not passing under the Grant and interests in trusts, for example.

The time and value elements are then added together before we assess the firm’s fees. VAT at the current rate of 20% is added to the total.

We do not keep our fees a secret until the end which might be a surprise. We raise interim bills at appropriate intervals. It also helps the firm as otherwise we would have to cover our overheads for an extended time. Further, our clients can see the progress being made and gauge what remains to be completed. We aim to manage the whole process, including the payment of fees. Most of the time professional fees are paid out of monies we hold in the estate.

Disbursements (expenses payable to third parties)

The Court fee is £273 plus £1.50 for each additional sealed copy of the Grant of Representation.

There may also be Land Registry fees to obtain details of the title and to transfer the property.  The latter are based on the value of the house or flat.

Statutory Advertisements cost between £100 and £300 approximately. Bankruptcy searches cost £2 per name.

Sales and transfers of property are usually handled by our conveyancing department. They charge fees for that service which are in addition to the Probate fees.

Taxes, such as Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax are imposed by law. They are not part of our fees.

Overall Guide

To provide some guidance, the time element mentioned above expressed as a proportion of the gross value of the estate is likely to be between 3% and 6%.  The figure is frequently higher than 3% but could be lower.  

It is very rare that the fees will exceed 6%. With a small estate of say £25,000 we would recommend that we should not be instructed because the fees could be a significant sum compared to the total estate. Nevertheless, Executors might insist due to tensions in the family or because of ill health or a similar reason.

It is important to stress this is only a guide as the fees are worked out as described above.

Timeframe

For a simple estate the administration can take between 6 and 9 months. It could be less.

However, there are many reasons why it can take longer. For example, we rely on our clients to give full and prompt instructions. The institutions, such as banks and so on may not be as efficient as we would wish. It can take time to find a buyer for the house and for the sale to complete. Chains can cause delay, and these are outside of our control.

In more complex matters involving Inheritance Tax or trusts this timescale could be significantly longer.

Shares very frequently take time to investigate and sell or transfer.

Foreign property, such as a holiday home is likely to take much longer to administer. Foreign taxes could be payable, possibly in addition to Inheritance Tax in England.

The Department for Work and Pensions frequently make enquiries to see if full disclosure of assets, savings and income has been made by the deceased where means-tested benefits were being paid.

If there are disputes between beneficiaries or with the Personal Representatives, this can cause serious delays. If there is a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 this is also likely to cause a significant delay.

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