Probate (Uncontested)

How much does probate cost?

At MWG, we understand the complexity and emotional stress attached to probate work. We are able to provide you with a transparent fee structure for Uncontested Probate. If your matter is non-standard, e.g. complex property, family relationships or risks, it may not be possible to honour the fees on our website. We will assess and review your case during your initial consultation and advise you of any complexities.

**Grant of probate/grant of letters of administration – £1,000 (disbursements)* and VAT**

Executors/administrators can then deal with the administration of the estate after we have obtained the grant for them.

As part of our fixed fee, we will:

Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter.
Identify the legally appointed Executors or Administrators.
Accurately identify the type of probate application you will require.
Complete the probate application and the relevant HMRC (tax) forms.
Complete the online application on your behalf and provide you with the statement of truth to be signed, or complete the application in paper form if the type of application required cannot be submitted online.
Make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf.
Obtain the grant and send court sealed copies to you.

*Third-party/ Conditional fees

Probate Court fee of £155
£1.50 plus VAT for each office copy of the grant required (1 per asset usually)
£3 plus VAT HM Land Registry official copy entry
£2 plus VAT bankruptcy search
£5 plus VAT for electronic ID search
HM Land Registry registration fees based on scales and the value and status of the property.

Other third party costs will be advised as required, e.g. accountant’s fee for a potential income tax return, statutory advertisement fee to advertise for unknown creditors, asset tracing fee.

There may be additional third party costs for lost S27 Advertisements in the London Gazette and a local newspaper in from £150 – £300, Depending on the local newspaper advertising costs.

Stockbroker fees – £25 – £150, depending on the number of shareholdings to be dealt with share certificates and share registrar and/or sale agent fees on transfer or sale of the shares.

Call us on 0161 835 2446.

How long does probate take?

The probate procedure involves the personal representatives valuing the estate’s assets, taking from this any debt amounts and then notifying the probate registry what the value of the remaining estate is. The length of time involved largely depends on what is in the estate. If there is a house, it will depend on the housing market and how quickly a sale can be agreed upon. If there are only bank accounts then you may be able to get the grant within about two months. It is also important to note that if there are shares, it could take longer. The more wide-ranging the types of assets there are in an estate, the longer it could take. If inheritance tax has to be paid, the values of the assets in an estate may have to be agreed with the Inland Revenue, and this could take time.

Dealing with the entire estate (obtaining grant, collecting in assets and distributing to beneficiaries)

For average estate values which are under £325,000 and with no inheritance tax payable, our average prices are 2% of the gross value of the estate plus third party costs and VAT.

This means, for example, that if the estate is worth £200,000 before deduction of debts and other expenses then our fees would be £4,000 plus third party costs and VAT (20%).

We charge a minimum fee of £2,000 plus third party costs (disbursements)* and VAT (20%).

If inheritance tax is payable or other tax matters are arising we will agree on a fee with you based on the hourly rates of the person dealing with the matter. Complex estates involving tax matters tend to be handled by more senior solicitors and staff, and our average hourly rate for them is £250.

Probate application fee of £155.00 (no VAT) plus £1.50 per additional copy of the Grant (usually two are requested to £158 in total).
Copy title deeds if the deceased owned property which is registered at the Land Registry (£3.00 per property).
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary) (no VAT).
Certainty will search (optional search to ensure that there is no will or later known will) – £95 plus VAT.
Asset search (optional search to ensure that there are no unknown assets) – £162 (no VAT).
Post in The London Gazette (optional to guard against unexpected claims from unknown creditors) – .£70 plus VAT.
Post in a local newspaper (optional to protect against unexpected claims) – typically £100 plus VAT.

This quote is for estates where:

There is no more than one property.
There are no more than five bank or building society accounts.
There are no other intangible assets.
There are 1-5 beneficiaries.
There are no disputes between beneficiaries on the 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.

Our Qualifications

All Probate work is supervised by Partner Salman Iqbal who is a qualified solicitor. The individual profile can be found here.