Probate Fees and Costs
The traditional way of charging for probate work undertaken by most Solicitors and banks is an hourly rate and a fixed percentage of the Deceased's persons estate. The difficulty with this is that it is understandably, very difficult to know at the beginning what the overall fee will be.
Fixed Fee Probate Service
We will always quote a fixed fee for probate at the beginning of case, in doing so we find that Clients consider this to be much more similar and easier to understand with no percentages of estates charged or hourly rates. No fees are chargeable upfront with payment for our services only made once the estate has been distributed and the beneficiary in receipt of funds from the estate.
We are often asked what are the benefits to using a Solicitors firm, typically the factors worth considering are :-
Generally quicker When Probate is undertaken in person, an interview at the probate registry will be required. By contrast, if a Solicitor makes the application, no interview at the Probate Registry is needed as the Executor or Administrator will be asked to sign a legal document known as an Oath.
Intestacy/No Will. If the Deceased did not leave a will, expert help should always be sought on the distribution of the estate under the Intesacy Rules, which set out the Order of entitlement when someone died without a will.
Inheritance Tax. All probate applications must be supported by an Inheritance Tax return. If Inheritance tax is payable, then advice and guidance is always beneficial, as there may well be scope to reduce the inheritance payable, by ensuring all reliefs are claimed, or alternatively a Deed of Variation ( this arises when all the parties agree to vary the terms of a will ) this can be used to mitigate Inheritance tax.
Will Disputes. Unfortunately, contested probate is on the increase, with disputes relates to wills now common place, in light of this having a Solicitor to advise on the procedures to be followed when a dispute arises often helps to save all the parties time and expense. We regularly advise on contested probate matters.
Property issues in Probate. If the Deceased left a property, then a Solicitor will be required to sell or transfer the property at some stage, and therefore having the same Solicitor undertaking the probate and the sale of a property, is understanably advantageous.
We operate a nationwide probate service, and if you would like a fixed fee probate quote you can call us on 0844 7400 948 or e-mail us above.
Call our probate helpline now on: 0844 7400948
