Probate

Our experienced team at Hannah Solicitors has particular expertise in probate.

We understand just how overwhelming this time can be for you, and we want to take the stress away from dealing with your loved one’s estate. We’ll do the hard work so you don’t have to. Our solicitors work with the highest level of professionalism accompanied by compassion and empathy.

We know what you’re going through, and we want to help. From understanding a Will to ensuring the estate is distributed correctly, we will guide you through the process from start to finish.

From straightforward cases to the more complex, we can help you with it all. Get in touch with us today to find out exactly what we can do for you.

How Much Does It Cost?

An exact fee is nearly impossible to estimate without knowing the extent of your circumstances. Contact us to find out how our services are tailored to you, so we can give you a more accurate cost.

Obtaining A Grant Of Representation (In England And Wales)

Obtaining a Grant (IHT205): £950 - £3000 (VAT at 20% will be between £190 - £600).

Obtaining a Grant (IHT400): £2500 - £6000 (VAT at 20% will be between £500 - £1,200).

VAT is a government tax that we are required to charge, and will usually be added at 20% to our fees and disbursements, except where we indicate the disbursements are outside the scope of VAT.

Administration Of Estate

Our fees for the administration of an estate range between 1% to 4% of the gross value of the estate depending on the complexity of your case and your location. You would be informed of any increase to our estimated fees prior to us carrying out any further work.

1-4% of Gross Estate (minimum fee £2500)
plus hourly rate of £160 - £325 (+20% VAT of £32 - £65)

It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of costs as this does depend on the complexity of the estate which in turn varies depending on the size of the estate, the type of assets held, the number and type of beneficiary etc. The costs can range anywhere between £2,500 - £15,000 (+20% VAT of £500 - £3,000) for a complex case. It can take 3 – 6 months to receive a grant of probate for a standard matter and then a further 6 – 12 months to conclude matters. More complex cases can take between 18 – 24 months to conclude. We will give a full estimate of costs and likely timescales at the start of the matter.

Breakdown Of Costs

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.

Disbursements:

Probate court fee: £155 (plus £15 for 10 copies);
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department Searches: £2 per beneficiary;
Post in The London Gazette: £71.00, which protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors;
Post in a Local Newspaper: £110, which also helps to protect against unexpected claims.

What Services Do We Offer?

Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter;

Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries;
Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require;
Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application;
Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms;
Draft a statement of truth;
Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf;
Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you;
Collect and distribute all assets in the estate.

How Long Can It Take?

Each case is individual and can differ in the time it takes to settle. This also depends on the timescales for applications of HMRC and the Probate Registry which are out of our control.

How Much Does It Cost To Apply For The Grant, Collect And Distribute The Assets?

Our hourly rates range from £160 to £325 (+20% VAT of £32 - £65) depending on the complexity of your case, the experience of the lawyer and your location.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter.

Please contact us for a quote tailored to your circumstances.

Disbursements

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.

Disbursements included in this fee:

Probate application fee: £155;
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department Searches: £2 per beneficiary;
Post in The London Gazette: £71.00, which protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors;
Post in a Local Newspaper: £110, which also helps to protect against unexpected claims.

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.

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