What will probate cost?

Our fixed fee probate services
Traditionally, probate solicitors charge on a time basis according to hourly rates for time spent dealing with the administration of an estate and in addition many also make a charge – known as the value element – based on a percentage of the value of the estate. Banks often charge significantly more. There are now will writing companies and supermarkets offering probate services and on the face of it these appear cheaper – but we know from clients who have subsequently contacted us when things have gone wrong that there are often hidden charges and that their quality of service falls far short of our client’s expectations.

 

We are able to offer a fixed fee for clients using our online probate services.  This means that you know at the outset what our costs will be – yet we give the same quality of service and advice as we give those clients who prefer a more traditional office based service. We do not use unqualified staff – all our lawyers have extensive experience of all aspects of probate work.

 

Our fixed fee probate service costs just 1.25% of the total value of the estate
(plus VAT)

By way of illustration:

Estate value	Traditional solicitors likely costs	Our online price
£50000	£1500	£625
£100,000	£3000	£1250
£250,000	£6000	£3125
£500,000	£11,000	£6250

 

What else do I need to know?
We ask for a £300 deposit, with 50% of the balance payable on the application for the grant of probate being made and the final 50% being paid on completion of the administration.

 

Various out of pocket expenses to third parties are also payable when dealing with the administration of an estate, ranging from the probate court fee itself to fees for entering statutory advertisements and carrying out bankruptcy searches. These are payable in addition to our fees and we will confirm in writing the additional payments which will apply to the estate in question.

 

Please note that our online fixed fee probate service applies for routine probate only.  Whilst most estates are straightforward, there are sometimes unforeseen difficulties which means probate can become very time consuming. If an estate becomes complex, we may need to make an additional charge on a time basis. We advise clients as soon as it becomes clear if probate is complex and give a written estimate of further costs for approval before we proceed.

 

Common reasons for an estate becoming complex include:

• disputes between beneficiaries
• disputes over property ownership
• claims being made against the estate e.g. by someone not mentioned in the will
• the involvement of a business
• any failure to locate beneficiaries mentioned in the will
• beneficiaries being bankrupt
• enquiries by the Department for Work and Pensions and/or Inland Revenue
• assets being held abroad

 

For simple, fixed fee probate services – contact us

• For FREE initial phone advice, telephone (01722) 422300 or
• Use the contact form below:

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Bonallack & Bishop Solicitors (76483) – authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

 

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