Our Fees
We offer a fixed fee for applications for Grant of Probate which is limited by the amount of assets in the estate. The price below details what is included and what limitations there are for the service. The Grant of Probate services include the completion and submission of the relevant forms and other required documentation for taxation as well as the completion and submission of forms for the grant of probate.
Grant of Probate
Non-Taxable Estates- Includes:
- Preparation & Submission of Inheritance Tax Form for non-taxable estates
- Application for Grant of Probate
- This fee allows for the following to be included in the estate:
- 2 Properties
- 12 Bank/Building Society Accounts
- Intangible assets such as shareholdings
- Does not include:
- Asset valuations or obtaining asset valuations, or collecting in or distributing the estate
Grant of Probate and Estate Administration
The below is an estimate for attaining a grant of probate as well as administering an estate. Our fees are calculated on an hourly rate and an estimated cost for this service is provided below based on a typical case.
£3,960 plus VAT £792 = £4,752
To
£4,840 plus VAT £968 = £5,808
Hourly Rate: £220
Estimated Hours: 18-22
Plus Disbursements (charged separately): £200 – £400
Estimated Timescale: 6 – 9 months
Includes:
Preparation and submission of Inheritance Tax forms for the estate.
The preparation and submission of the application for grant of probate
Gathering the estate’s assets
Distributing those assets to up to 12 beneficiaries of the estate
Discharging any liabilities
The administration of the estate
The estimate is based on a service which includes us dealing with 2 properties, twelve bank/building society accounts, as well as intangible assets such as stocks and shares. This would apply where we would be distributing assets to up to twelve beneficiaries.
Speak to us about your Case
Every case is different, to get a bespoke estimate contact us today.
Call:
01656 653485 (Bridgend)
01656 788823 (Porthcawl)
There may be additional tax due on this matter which would be separate to the estimated cost.
For additional information on Inheritance Tax please visit the gov.uk website:
gov.uk/inheritance-tax
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to third party services which we pay on your behalf. We have not included the following disbursements in the above prices which may be charged in addition to the above fee. We price these based on the cost these services are charged to us:
- Probate Application Fee: £273
- Plus £1.50 per additional official copy of the Grant required
- AML Search: £7.20 per person
- Bankruptcy Search: £2 per person
- Bank Transfer fee: £40 plus VAT £8 = £48
- Trustees Act Notice: Varies
Fees for Last Will and Testament
- Single Will: £175 plus VAT £35 = £210
- Mirrored Wills for Married couples: £275 plus VAT £55 = £330
- Notice of Severance of Joint Tenancy: £100 plus VAT £20 = £120
Fees for Lasting Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Attorney
- Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney: £400 plus VAT £80 = £480
- Plus Registration fee for the Public Guardianship office: £82
- Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney: £400 plus VAT £80 = £480
- Plus Registration fee for the Public Guardianship office: £82
- Lasting Power of Attorney for Married, Cohabiting or Civil Partnerships couples at the same time: £600 plus VAT £120 = £720
- Plus Registration fee for the Public Guardianship office: £164
Meet the Team
Howard Jones
Supervisor, Partner, LL.B
Qualified: 1984
Howard is a Graduate of Aberystwyth University and a fluent Welsh Speaker. He is the firm’s managing partner and responsible for client care and its day to day financial and business affairs. Howard also undertakes non-contentious work including residential and commercial conveyancing, Wills and Probate. He is based at our Bridgend Office having practised in Kenfig Hill for over twenty years, and still has a large client base in that area.
Michael Greenway
Partner, B.A.
Qualified: 1980
Mike is the firm’s senior conveyancing and probate partner and has been practising in the Borough for over forty years. He is a Graduate of the University of the West of England but went to school locally and lives in Bridgend with his family. He is based at our Porthcawl Office and undertakes residential conveyancing and advises on Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection applications and equity release mortgages. Mike has been a member and officer of the Lions Club of Bridgend for many years and has for a good deal of that time advised the Lions Organisation nationally on legal matters.
Our PRocess
Probate
Stage 1
Valuing the Estate
At this stage we will go through the deceased’s papers and bank statements to establish their assets and liabilities. This can be quite straightforward, however in some cases there may be multiple investments, properties, and other personal belongings to consider.
At this stage we may need to contact banks, lenders, fund managers, pension providers, the local government, the DWP, and HMRC.
Stage 2
File Inheritance Tax Forms
Regardless of whether inheritance tax must be paid inheritance tax forms must be completed. One form is used for non-taxable estates, another for taxable estates.
Whittinghams will complete the related forms as well as any additional schedules to establish the amount of tax payable.
Stage 3
Pay Inheritance Tax
If there is inheritance tax payable on the estate then it must be paid prior to obtaining the grant of probate. Funds can be transferred directly from one of the deceased’s accounts for this if there are sufficient funds.
Stage 4
File Probate Forms
Once we have assessed the size of the estate we will be able to complete the probate application form by applying to the Probate Registry.
The Executors will need to sign a statement of truth at this stage to confirm that the details of the application are correct.
Stage 5
Pay Probate Fees
At this stage we will pay the applicable probate fees on your behalf. These are fixed regardless of the size of the estate and are detailed above in the disbursements section.
Stage 6
Administer the Estate
We will collect in the assets of the estate, discharge the liabilities and subsequently distribute the estate in accordance with the Will or Intestacy rules.