Services and Costs for Probate (uncontested) and with all assets in the UK
Our team can provide help and support at the most difficult of times. There are many complex issues that can arise when administering an Estate which require care and expertise.
Some of these issues include:
- Applications to the Probate Courts
- Understanding the Intestacy provisions
- Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax issues
- Drawing up Estate Accounts
- Disputes and claims
- Dealing with Business and Agricultural assets
- Deeds of Variation or Family Arrangement
- Distributing the Estate correctly
Our guidance and support will help relieve the burden placed on Executors appointed under a Will or the Personal Representatives under the Intestacy provisions.
Our Team has many years’ experience in delivering excellent and high-quality services in estate administration and related matters provided in a kind and helpful manner. We are able to provide help with the broad spectrum of legal and tax matters which can arise in simple and complex estates
Our fees are calculated primarily by reference to time spent on a matter. This can vary depending on the level of experience of the member or members of the team dealing with the matter but can range from £120 plus VAT per hour to £260 plus VAT per hour. We always give an accurate estimate at the very outset of the matter and the scope of instructions, having given very careful consideration to all that is involved, and we do not proceed until our estimate is agreed, understood, and accepted.
There are many ways we can assist depending on what help is required. We can provide a full service dealing with the estate administration from start to finish or any part such as a simple Grant of Probate application.
Time estimates:
On average, estates are dealt with within 6-12 months. If HMRC are involved and Inheritance Tax (IHT) is payable, the estate can take 12-18 months, but will depend on the complexity of the estate. Typically, obtaining the Grant of Probate takes 8-12 weeks. Collecting and distribution of assets then follows.
Example 1 – Grant of Probate Application
If it’s simply helping with the application to the Probate Courts on a simple, non-taxable estate we would estimate our fees to be £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements being the Probate Registry fees £300 plus £16.00 for each copy Grant. We would expect you to provide all the details of the estate. If it is necessary to apply for transferable Inheritance Tax allowances, using a power of attorney, or advising on the validity of the Will, these would be more complex factors which could result in additional fees which we would advise you of. For a non-taxable estate application with IHT filing requirements, we would estimate our costs to be between £1,500 and £2,500 plus VAT.
Example 2 – Simple Grant with Inheritance Tax (IHT)
If our help is limited to completing the larger IHT400 for taxable estates on the basis of information provided to us, arranging to settle the Tax and advice in relation to this and subsequently completing and processing the probate application our fees could fall somewhere between £2,500 and £6,500 plus VAT depending on the complexity of the estate and the nature of the assets involved. Disbursements would be the Probate Registry fees £300 plus £16.00 for each copy Grant. We would expect you to provide all the details of the estate.
Example 3 – Full-service estate administration
Usually in our full-service estate administration matters, our fees are calculated in accordance with a formula comprised of these elements: –
- The Time spent on the matter and calculated at the hourly rate.
- The Value factor, which is calculated as follows: –
- Where the firm is an Executor: –
- 1.5% of the value of the gross estate less the value of any real property and
- ¾% of the value of any real property
- Where no member of the firm is an executor
- 1% of the value of the gross estate less the value of any real property and
- ½% of the value of any real property
- Where the firm is an Executor: –
The Value factor may be reduced or excluded from the charge depending upon the nature and complexity of the assets in the estate, the ultimate beneficiary and the importance of the matter and the responsibility falling upon the firm.
It is important to note that every estate is different, and it is difficult to give a generic estimate without having full details of what is involved.
For modest estates we usually find that our charges fall somewhere between 2% – 3% of the gross value of the estate, with VAT charged in addition This can then give us a broad idea indicating our charges would fall within a particular range but is not indicative of a formal review and not applied for larger estates.
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, costs will be at the higher end.
We would handle the full process for you. This estimate is for estates where there is a valid Will, no more than one property, no more than a dozen financial institutions, 1-10 beneficiaries and no disputes between beneficiaries on the division of assets or claims made against the estate. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs. The matter would be referred to our Litigation Team specialising in Probate and Estate claims. It includes inheritance tax payable and easily paid with the submission of a full IHT400 but not individual tax planning advice.
Disbursements in addition to this fee:
Probate application fee of £300 plus £16.00 for each copy Grant
Approximately £165-£250 plus VAT for advertising in the London Gazette and a Local Newspaper to protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
There may be other expenses, such as valuation fees, land registry fees which we may incur on behalf of an estate.
Potential additional costs:
If there is no Will or the estate consists of any shareholdings (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.
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
Advice on a Deed of Variation
More complicated Income Tax affairs may require assistance of an Accountant.
We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
Last updated: May 2026.