Get in touch
If you have any enquiries please fill out this contact form and one of our lawyers will be in touch.
Probate (Grant only)
We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf.
Our Grant only service is designed to simplify the probate process for you by providing a clear, transparent, and affordable solution for obtaining the Grant of Probate.
Initial Fixed Fee Consultation
We offer an initial fixed-fee meeting for probate matters in the sum of £350 plus VAT. This consultation gives you the opportunity to meet with an experienced member of the team and understand your options. This meeting then allows us to provide you with our initial advice and help you feel confident in the next steps.
If you choose to instruct us following the meeting, the cost of this consultation will be deducted from the total fee.
How much does this service cost?
For our Grant only service with no Inheritance Tax implications, our fees start from £2,500 (excluding VAT and disbursements).
Where our Grant only service includes a full Inheritance Tax submission, our fees start from £3,500 (excluding VAT and disbursements).
Our advised fixed fee will be determined after consultation with your Lawyer. We cannot offer a fully accurate estimate until we have complete details of the estate. Once we have all the necessary information, we will be able to provide you with a tailored fee.
The estimated figures provided above may change depending on the complexities involved. However, if we encounter any unexpected complications or complexities during the process that may affect the scope of work, we will inform you as soon as possible. We aim to ensure transparency, so you know exactly what to expect.
Should any additional fees be required due to unforeseen issues, we will provide you with a revised estimate and seek your approval before proceeding. Our goal is to keep you informed and ensure the process remains smooth and efficient.
Our charges are typically based on the time spent on the matter, although other factors will also be considered such as, the complexity of the matter, the importance and urgency of the matter to you; and the skill, effort, specialist knowledge and responsibility involved in dealing with the estate on your behalf.
Our hourly rates vary depending on the level of experience of the practitioner(s) assigned to your matter. Our hourly rates range from £170 to £410 plus VAT and are reviewed on an annual basis. The time spent will be charged in units of one-tenth of an hour.
To ensure the highest standard of service and compliance with all legal requirements, our probate specialist solicitors are supervised by an appropriate qualified practitioner. Nicola Weldon, Partner and Head of Department, will have overall supervision for the department.
Please note that this service does not include any work to assist with the administration of the estate after the Grant of Probate has been issued. For help with this process please refer to our Full Estate Administration page.
We anticipate that estates within this range will be dealt with within 3 months, though the timeline may vary depending on factors beyond our control.
We will, however, make every possible effort to ensure that it is completed as soon as is reasonably practicable and to keep you updated throughout the process.
Potential Disbursements
VAT will be charged at 20% on top of our fees and information regarding likely disbursements is set out below.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of disbursements, where possible, on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
- Probate court fee of £526 for estates with a value exceeding £5,000 (+ £2 each per office copy)
- There is no probate court fee for estates with a value below £5,000
- Land Registry office copies £7 + VAT
Other costs
- Onboarding fee – £35+VAT
As part of our fee
- Initial Advice and Case Setup: Once instructed, an experienced probate practitioner will guide you through the process and explain your responsibilities as an Executor or Administrator. We will discuss the information and documentation required, answer any initial questions, and provide a clear overview of the steps involved. Where a Will is available, we will review it to confirm its validity and ensure it complies with the relevant legal requirements.
- Estate Valuation: We will assist in gathering information about the estate’s assets and liabilities. This may include obtaining valuations for property, investments, bank accounts and personal possessions, together with confirming any outstanding debts. Accurate valuations are essential for both probate and tax purposes.
- Inheritance Tax Reporting: We will assess whether Inheritance Tax is payable, calculate any tax due and prepare the necessary forms for submission to HMRC. If tax is payable before the application can be submitted, we will guide you through the payment process.
- Probate Application: Once all required information has been gathered and any tax reporting completed, we will prepare and submit the probate application to the Probate Registry.
- Grant of Probate Issued: The Probate Registry will review the application and, if everything is in order, issue the Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration where there is no valid Will). We will monitor progress and deal with any queries raised during the application process. Once the Grant has been issued, we will provide it to you. The Grant gives the personal representatives the legal authority to collect in estate assets and proceed with the administration of the estate.
Ellisons is a trading name of Ellisons Legal LLP. Ellisons Legal LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 8001031) | © Ellisons