Probate
(uncontested)
Probate
We can represent you in your Probate (uncontested) matter on a Fixed fee basis with flexible payments.
Where we agree a fixed fee with you from the outset of the case, you will know how much your case will cost exactly. The Fixed Fee agreed will depend on:
1. The complexity of the case
2. The amount of supporting evidence that we need to considerThe estimates described below represent the range of the fees for most standard applications. Upon our initial assessment of your situation, we may agree on a fixed fee.
If a fixed fee is agreed upon and your matter or transaction does not reach a conclusion or you decide to withdraw instructions, we reserve the right to charge for the work done on your case using our hourly charging basis.
Our charges do not include VAT, which we will add to your bill at the prevailing rate which is at 20%.
Our Fixed fee for legal cases covers all the work written and oral work for the stage of the legal matter for which you have instructed us.
Please be advised that our fees do not cover the third-party charges e.g., land registry searches.
Some disbursements noted below attract VAT. VAT on a Disbursement is charged at 20%, unless otherwise noted below.
All our Probate work is carried out by Sunny Patel and Manik Miah who are both Solicitors & Directors at Crystal Law Solicitors.
Nicola Plumb, Laura Edington, Saher Rashid and Zainab Girach support the department with Paralegal and Administration duties.
Client Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Court Fees, Interpreters, Independent reports and not included in our fixed fee prices. We will however handle the payments of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. You will be notified of the Disbursement amount well in advance and your agreement will be sought before these disbursements are incurred.
Court Fees may be applicable depending on your case. Where case fees are requiring the amount, you will be informed in advance. Court Fees are likely to range from £35 - £600. Probate Court application fee of £273 plus £1.50 per additional copy. VAT if not payable on Court Fees.
Counsel fees will be agreed with you in advance before counsel is instructed on your behalf. Costs for the barristers are likely to be in the range of £700 - £2,500 plus VAT if payable.
Posting of an advertisement in the London Gazette and a Local Newspaper will cost between £80-250 plus VAT at 20%. This will protect executors against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary in your case and the disbursement to be incurred will be agreed with you in advance of us instructing expert on your behalf.
Independent expert reports will be agreed with you in advance before instructed on your behalf. Costs for the Independent expert reports are likely to be in the range of £300 - £2,500 plus VAT if payable chargeable at 20%.
Electronic money transfer fee is charged at £40, plus VAT which is charged at 20%.
Land Registry Office Copies are charged at £3-6.; or, between £20.00 and £910.00 to register the transfer depending on property value and whether the property is registered (VAT not applicable).
Other Searches may include geographically specific or property specifics searches, such as evidence of historic mining for coal, limestone and tin. The list and costs will be dependent on the transaction, plus VAT chargeable at 20%.
The number of hours needed for interpreters will vary on the complexities of the case and the number of words when documents are translated. Often clients will bring a friend or another community figure to assist with interpreting. Clients do not always have to use an interpreter of our choosing when providing us with instructions.
Interpreters’ fees from £25-£40 per hour excluding VAT which is charged at 20%. Most kinds of applications will normally require between 2 - 10 hours of client contact with an interpreter, depending on the complexity of your case.
For Document translation, the fees range from £95 - £120 (per 1000 words) excluding VAT which is charged at 20%.
If there is an interview and we do attend with you, there will be additional disbursements in respect of our mileage/travel expenses.
Probate (uncontested cases with all assets in the UK)
A. Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets in relation to a non-taxable estate
(i) We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:
- There is a valid will
- There is no more than one property
- There are no more than 5 bank or building society accounts
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are less than 10 beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
- There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
- There are no claims made against the estate
(ii) Fees
Typically the range of our fees in the case of a non-taxable estate is between £1,850-£6,375 plus VAT, which will be increased by the percentage uplift set out in the final paragraph of this section.
We anticipate that our work would take between 10-25 hours.
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances and complexity of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no real property then costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a real property and multiple bank accounts then our costs will be at the higher end of the range.
Legal work that escapes the agreed Fixed Fee agreement, will be charged out our standard hourly Solicitors Charge of £250, plus VAT at 20%.
There will be an additional charge of 1% plus VAT of the gross probate value of any assets, excluding the main residence owned by the deceased which will attract an additional charge of 0.5% plus VAT (unless the property passes by survivorship, in which case the additional fee will not be charged). This additional charge will increase the typical range of fees set out in the first paragraph of this section.
(iii) Potential additional costs
- If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (shares, 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 estimate once we have more information.
- If there are assets subject to Business Property Relief, Agricultural Property Relief, Charitable exemptions or trusts there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how the particular reliefs, exemptions or trusts are to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information
- If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 each (1 per asset usually).
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any real property in the estate is not included and would be the subject of a separate estimate of fees.
(iv) Key stages
- Initial meeting with executors to ascertain the nature and complexity of the estate
- Seeking confirmation of assets and liabilities from various institutions
- Drafting application for Probate and seeking approval from executors
- Swearing or affirming Oath and application and submitting to the Probate Registry
- Obtaining Grant
- Sending Grant to institutions in order to obtain/transfer assets
- Paying outstanding liabilities and seeking confirmation from HMRC/DWP that no further liabilities remain
- Dealing with the sale of any real property (if required)
- Distributing estate
(v) How long will this take?
Typically, estates of this sort are dealt with within 4-9 months (depending on whether it is necessary to wait a 6-10 months’ period from the date of issue of the Grant of Probate and the time required to sell a property and external timing issues at the Probate Registry). Generally, obtaining the grant of probate takes 8-12 weeks once the application is submitted. Collecting assets (excluding the time taken to sell a real property) then follows, which can take between 4-6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-4 weeks.
B. Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets in relation to a taxable Estate
If there is inheritance tax to pay, then the same basic processes, costs and exclusions as set out in section A will apply. However, there is a requirement to submit a full inheritance tax account to HMRC and pay any inheritance tax before the Grant of Probate can be obtained. This work may add approximately 4-8 weeks to the time taken to obtain probate and in the region of £500-£1,000 plus VAT at 20%.
C. Application for a Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration Only
(i) We charge a fixed fee for applying for the grant of probate/letters of administration only. The cost of this ranges from £850-£1200 plus VAT at 20%. This fee is applicable where:
- There is a valid will or there is an intestacy whereby the client is entitled to act
- The executors/administrators provide all details of assets and liabilities
- There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors/administrators do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
- The executors do not need to claim an unused nil rate band allowance
(ii) If there is inheritance tax to pay, then the same basic processes, costs and exclusions as set out in section C(i) will apply. However, there is a requirement to submit a full inheritance tax account to HMRC and pay any inheritance tax before the Grant of Probate can be obtained. This work may add approximately 4-8 weeks to the time taken to obtain probate and will instead be charged at an hourly rate.
(iii) Disbursements (not vatable) include the following:
- Electronic ID verification of executors of up to £6 plus VAT per executor
- Probate Court Application fee of £273
- Office copies of the Grant of Probate at £1.50 per copy
(iv) Key stages
- Initial meeting with executors/administrators to ascertain estate and obtain confirmation of assets and liabilities
- Drafting application for Probate and seek approval from executors/administrators
- Swearing or affirming Oath and application and submit to Probate Registry
- Obtaining Grant
(v) Timescales
We anticipate that this will take between 3-4 hours of work.
The Probate registry takes approximately 8-12 weeks to deal with applications, however, if the matter becomes complex then this can take longer, for example, if we need to refer the matter to HMRC.
It is assumed that all administration work in the estate not mentioned above will be dealt with by the executors/administrators of the estate.