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Probate Services and Letters of Administration

To obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration for a non-taxable estate and collect in and distribute the assets, contact our Probate team of solicitors.  Our team of solicitors based in our Colchester office, will be able to help you:-

  • Identify the legally appointed Executors or Administrators and Beneficiaries
  • Identify the type of Probate application you will require
  • Ascertain the assets and liabilities comprised in the estate and register the death.
  • Calculate the gross and net figures of the estate for the approval of the Executor.
  • Make the online application to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Probate.
  • Generate the Legal Statement for signing.
  • Send all of the papers to the Probate Registry to extract Grant of Probate.
  • Register the Grant where necessary and deal with the transfer or encashment of assets.
  • Settle all liabilities.
  • Pay over legacies.
  • Make payments on account to beneficiaries if required.
  • Finalise the estate and prepare Estate Account for approval and pay over the balances due.
  • To include all correspondence and attendances where necessary and telephone calls.

In matters such as this it is difficult to estimate how many hours of work will be necessary to complete the matter.  We would estimate a straightforward non-taxable estate to be in the region of 12 – 16 hours’ work that will be required.  We would estimate that our costs will be in the region of £3,000.00 to £5,500.00 plus VAT. See our hourly rates below for each fee earner.

On average, non-taxable estates are dealt within 7 1/2 months – 1 year. It normally takes 16 weeks to obtain the Grant of Probate*. This is followed by collecting assets which can take between 12-20 weeks. 

*For standard online applications. Applications made in exceptional circumstances  may take longer.

 

 To obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration for a taxable estate and collect in and distribute the assets. We Will:-

  • Identify the legally appointed Executors or Administrators and Beneficiaries
  • Identify the type of Probate application you will require
  • Ascertain the assets and liabilities comprised in the estate and register the death.
  • Complete HM Revenue & Customs Account IHT400, together with all relevant Schedules.
  • Calculate the inheritance tax payable and organise payment of this.
  • Lodging the HM Revenue & Customs Account IHT400 with HM Revenue & Customs and obtaining their receipt and sending all of the papers to the Probate Registry to enable the Grant of Probate to be extracted. Dealing with any enquiries raised by them in respect of the account submitted.
  • Make the online application to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Probate.
  • This will generate the Legal Statement for signing.
  • Send all of the papers to the Probate Registry to extract the Grant of Probate.
  • Settle all liabilities.
  • Pay over legacies.
  • Finalise the estate and prepare the estate accounts.
  • To include all correspondence and attendances where necessary and telephone calls.

Please note: Inheritance Tax must be paid by the end of the sixth month after the person died

We would estimate a straightforward taxable estate to be in the region of 20 – 30 hours’ work that will be required.  We would estimate that our costs will be in the region of £6,000.00 to £10,000.00 plus VAT. See our hourly rates below for each fee earner.

On average, taxable estates are dealt within 10 months – 1 year. It normally takes 16 weeks to obtain the Grant of Probate*. This is followed by collecting assets which can take between 14-20 weeks. 

*For standard online applications. Applications made in exceptional circumstances  may take longer.

We also provide a Grant-only fixed-fee for straightforward non-taxable estates.

We will:-

  • Identify the legally appointed Executors or Administrators and Beneficiaries
  • Identify the type of Probate application you will require
  • Ascertain the assets and liabilities comprised in the estate.
  • Calculate the gross and net figures of the estate for the approval of the Executor.
  • Make the online application to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Probate.
  • Generate the Legal Statement for signing.

Our costs would be £1,500.00 – £2,000 plus VAT. Once the Grant is received we would have no further involvement in the Estate. We would estimate a straightforward non-taxable estate, for a Grant only service, to be in the region of 6 – 8 hours’ work. The fixed fee is based on the number of assets held within the estate.

On average, the Grant-only takes approximately 6-9 months. It normally takes 16 weeks to obtain the Grant of Probate*.

*For standard online applications. Applications made in exceptional circumstances  may take longer.

VAT and Disbursements

VAT at the current rate is added to all our fees and there will also be disbursements to be paid, which are expenses that we incur on your behalf from other parties.  Examples of these are Probate Registry Court fees of £273.00 plus £1.50 for each sealed office copy of the Grant required.

Bankruptcy search fees in respect of all beneficiaries of £2.00 (no VAT charged) per name searched.

If you are unaware of all of the assets contained in the estate, it may also be appropriate to carry out a financial asset search and the cost for this search is £155.00 plus VAT.

You may also wish to place a Statutory Advert, which is currently approximately £220.00 plus VAT.

We will inform you when disbursements are incurred and will normally ask for payment on account from you prior to meeting such expenses.

There is always potential for additional costs to arise and for the estimated time scales to be exceeded where the matter has unforeseen complexities, for example (this list is not exhaustive):-

  • If there is a family dispute,
  • If there are any claims made against the estate,
  • If there are DWP investigations,
  • If a Deed of Variation is to be incorporated,
  • If property is to be transferred or sold,
  • If there are any Inheritance Tax complications or corrections,
  • If GoodyBurrett LLP are acting as Executors.

The above timescales are for guidance only. These timescales may vary depending on the complexity of the estate. We can provide you with a more accurate timescale when all the details of the estate are known. Please note that we deal with instructions as soon as possible, but we rely on responses from third parties such as HMRC, Probate Registry, utility providers, banks and other asset providers and the Executors and Beneficiaries.

Please be aware that there are many tax considerations when administering an Estate and these include; Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax. It may therefore be necessary to instruct independent Financial Advisors or Accountants.  Please see the HMRC website gov.uk for more information on the different types of tax.

Our team at GoodyBurrett LLP consist of three fee-earners who are assisted by Jane Maher.

Examples of services not included:

  • Tax advice
  • Sale of Transfer of property in the estate
  • Insurance advice
  • Financial advice

Fee earners hourly rate:

  • Sue Mullis – £285 per hour plus VAT
  • Helen Firth – £250 per hour plus VAT
  • Victoria Bibby – £275 per hour plus VAT
  • Cavelle Leigh – £185 per hour plus VAT

Helen Firth

Partner and Head of Private Client Department

Helen has been so lovely throughout the whole process of dealing with my Uncle’s probate and affairs. It was a relief to hand things over to her. She is patient, efficient and thorough. Highly recommend.”

Depending on your circumstances you may need advice for various reasons such as:

Our Private Client team at GoodyBurrett are here to help you.

If you would like to find out more information

Please complete our contact us form at the top of this page, email [email protected]

or feel free to call us on 01206 577676.