Our approximate fee for probate for a low value estate with two or three assets, one executor or administrator and two beneficiaries would be £1,500 plus VAT.    

Our fee for probate with, for example, 

• a high value estate with 25 different assets, including two share portfolios, individual shares, a pension payable to the estate, three life policies with different companies, and an interest in a business run through a private limited company; 

• three executors;  

• 14 different beneficiaries including some minors whose share of the estate must go into trust; and

• annual tax returns to be completed

would be likely to be in the region of £15,000 - £20,000 plus VAT. Such complex estates are fairly exceptional.

Probate work is charged on a time-costed basis in accordance with the hourly rate of the fee earner, details of which are below. We only charge for the work that we carry out and do not charge a percentage of the estate value. You will not have to pay extra simply because there is a high value property involved – only if extra work is required because of that.   

• Government probate fee: £273

• Extra copies of the Grant of Probate: £1.50

There may also be charges by share registrars, for valuations of assets, for notices regarding the Will, for checking property information, and for bankruptcy searches.

For further details of the team who may work on your transaction, please click here.