Questions about estate administration and legal costs arise quickly when a loved one passes away, and one of the first things executors and family members want clarity on is, ‘How much does a solicitor charge for probate?’ Here, we explain how our fees are structured at Bartletts, what drives the cost of administering an estate, and what you can realistically expect at each stage of the process.
To speak to our experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
What Probate Actually Involves
Probate is the formal legal process through which a deceased person’s estate is administered and distributed. Where the deceased left a valid will, the executor named in that will applies to the Probate Registry for a Grant of Probate. This document confirms the executor’s legal authority to deal with the estate. Where there is no will, a family member or other eligible person applies for Letters of Administration instead, and the estate passes according to the intestacy rules.
The process covers a range of tasks. They include identifying and valuing all assets and liabilities, completing any required inheritance tax returns and correspondence with HMRC, applying to the Probate Registry for the grant, collecting in the assets, settling debts and outstanding liabilities, and finally distributing the estate to the beneficiaries.
We can help with every part of this, whether you need full estate administration from start to finish or support with one particular aspect of the process.
Why Probate Costs Differ
The cost of probate is not fixed, and that is because no two estates are the same. The time a solicitor spends on a matter is the main factor, and that time is directly shaped by the nature and complexity of what the estate contains.
A straightforward estate might involve one property, a small number of bank accounts, a valid and clear will, no inheritance tax liability, and a handful of beneficiaries. A more involved estate might include multiple properties, significant investments, business interests, foreign assets, or a situation where the deceased died without a will or where beneficiaries are difficult to trace.
Examples of factors that typically influence probate costs include:
- Whether inheritance tax is payable and the extent of HMRC involvement
- The number and type of assets, including whether property needs to be sold or transferred
- The number of beneficiaries and whether bankruptcy searches are necessary
- Whether creditors need to be formally notified
- Any disputes or complications among those entitled to benefit from the estate
- Whether the deceased died without a will, which generally adds complexity to the administration
How Much Does A Solicitor Charge For Probate At Bartletts?
At Bartletts, our charges for uncontested estate administration are calculated by reference to the time the fee earner spends on the matter. Our hourly rate will not exceed £250 plus VAT, which is currently charged at 20%.
Because it is genuinely difficult at the outset to predict precisely how many hours a matter will require, we use a fee cap of 2% of the gross estate value to give clients a reference point. To be clear, this does not mean that a standard charge of 2% of the gross estate value applies to every estate. It is simply a benchmark we use to ensure that the fee we propose is fair and proportionate to the size of the estate and the work involved. We always take into account the difficulty of the matter, the importance of it to the client, and the level of responsibility it carries.
Before we begin any work, we will send our proposed fee to you for approval.
Other Costs To Be Aware Of
Professional fees are only part of what is payable in an estate administration. There are also disbursements, which are third-party costs.
Examples of some common disbursements in probate matters include the following:
- The probate application fee
- Sealed copies of the Grant of Probate or Grant of letters of Administration
- Bankruptcy searches on beneficiaries
- Section 27 notices
- Independent property or asset valuations, where needed
We can help you understand exactly which disbursements you are likely to incur in your particular estate and how much those disbursements are likely to be.
Talk To Our Probate Team
Bartletts Solicitors has been advising families, executors, and administrators across Liverpool, Chester and Wrexham for over 160 years. Our wills, trusts, and probate team has experience across a wide range of estates, from modest and uncomplicated matters to large and involved administrations requiring careful management throughout.
If you have an estate to deal with and would like to understand your options, please contact one of our offices. We are happy to talk things through at an early stage, without obligation.
To speak to our experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
