Information for clients about our charges for uncontested probate matters where the estate assets are within the UK.
This page explains our costs for assisting with the collection and distribution of assets belonging to a person following their death, where the assets are within the UK and the matter is not contested. It is intended to help you understand the likely cost of our probate services before you decide whether to instruct us.
We can advise and assist executors or administrators with an uncontested probate matter, including identifying estate assets and liabilities, preparing inheritance tax forms where required, applying for the grant of probate or letters of administration, collecting estate assets, paying estate liabilities, preparing estate accounts and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries.
Our fees are usually calculated by reference to the time spent on the matter (in units of 6 minutes) the complexity of the estate and the level of support required. We will give you a written costs estimate before work begins and will update you if the estimate needs to change.
|
Type of estate |
Typical legal fee range |
What this may cover |
|
Simple estate |
£2,500 to £8,000 plus VAT |
One property, a small number of bank or investment accounts, no inheritance tax payable and a limited number of beneficiaries. |
|
Standard estate |
£6,000 to £15,000 plus VAT |
Several assets, inheritance tax forms required, more detailed correspondence with asset holders and beneficiaries. |
|
Complex estate |
Up to £40,000 plus VAT |
Multiple assets, taxable estate, trusts, foreign aspects, missing information, business or agricultural assets, or additional tax advice required. |
VAT is charged at the current rate (20%) where applicable. If any work is outside the scope of the agreed service, we will explain this to you and agree any additional charges before carrying out that work, such as property sales from the estate which will be handled by our Property Department.
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties. Typical disbursements in an uncontested probate matter may include the probate application fee (£526 for estates over £5,000), additional copies of the grant (£2 per copy), bankruptcy searches (£11 plus VAT per search), Land Registry documents (£7 per search plus VAT), statutory notices (on average around £350 to £500 plus VAT) and valuation fees (approximately £300 plus VAT), verification of identity and other regulatory searches, (£4 to £11 plus VAT per search, international searches may be higher) property clearance, chattel valuations and related auction costs (approximately £400 to £1,500 plus VAT on average) and financial asset searches (£165 plus VAT). We will tell you which disbursements are likely to apply in your matter.
Timescales depend on the nature of the estate, how quickly information is available and the processing times of HMCTS, HMRC, banks and other institutions. As a general guide, obtaining the grant of representation may take several months from receipt of all required information. Collecting assets, settling liabilities and distributing the estate may take further time after the grant is issued. Although there is a statutory year from the date of death within which the personal representatives may make payment of legacies and pay off debts of the deceased, the final distribution of the estate may take longer, for example, in cases where there are delays in selling a property, collecting in assets, awaiting clearance or refunds from HMRC where corrective tax accounts are required and dealing with any final Capital Gains or Income Tax due at the end of an estate administration period. We will update you on the likely time scale and steps required to conclude the estate as we progress with the matter and any delays become known.
The solicitor with conduct of your matter is Mr Kevin Grant (qualified 15.07.2003). Mr Grant is the Managing Director at Harland & Co. and the person who has overall responsibility for carrying out any agreed instructions. Mr Grant will be assisted by members of staff who are under his direct supervision. Christienne Whincup obtained a first class honours degree in law as well as a Masters degree in Law from York St. John University. Christienne joined Harland & Co. in 2025. Also, Sara Cubells, a paralegal who has over 20 years of experience in administration of estates. We will confirm the person responsible for your matter in our client care letter.
Our current hourly rates, set out below, are subject to review each April:
This information is a general guide only. The exact cost will depend on the facts of your matter. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your circumstances or obtain a quotation.