Probate describes the legal and financial necessities of dealing with assets such as property, cash and other possessions of a person who has passed away.
The Probate Registry currently advises it will take 16 weeks to receive the Grant, to administer the estate thereafter depend on the size and complexity of the estate.
When somebody dies, it falls to their executors (if they have made a Will) or certain family members (where there is no Will) to organise their affairs.
Whether you are an executor or a close family member, if there is no Will, we can assist you with all areas of administering the estate of a person who has died.
We are aware that some people like to deal with certain elements of the process themselves and we are happy for you to be involved as little or as much as you wish, in what is obviously a very difficult time.
At FMT, we can help you with all facets of Probate and Wills, by offering you support in the following areas.
This depends on whether you instruct us on a Grant only basis (obtaining the Grant of Probate only on your behalf) or full administration of the estate.
On average obtaining Grant of Probate from the date the application is made takes between 8-12 weeks, to administer the estate thereafter depends on the size and complexity of the estate. In some cases, estates can take years to be finalised.
Our fees for Grant of Probate only are charged at a fixed fee of £1,000 plus VAT which is £1,080 including VAT. This includes preparing the inheritance tax forms for a non taxable estate, completing the application, and submitting it to the Probate Registry.
For full estate administration, our work is charged at an hourly rate of £295 plus VAT. Straightforward estates usually fall in the region of £2,500 to £4,000 plus VAT. More complex estates with multiple beneficiaries, property, or numerous assets are usually in the region of £4,000 to £8,000 plus VAT or more. We will provide a tailored estimate after an initial consultation.
Disbursements include the probate application fee of £300 plus £1.50 per official copy, bankruptcy searches at around £6 per beneficiary, statutory notices typically between £180 and £300, and any third party costs such as valuations or Land Registry fees.
These estimates apply to simple estates with a valid will, limited assets, no disputes, and no inheritance tax payable. Additional costs may apply if inheritance tax is due, if the estate contains numerous or unusual assets, if property needs to be sold or transferred, or if any disputes or claims arise.
Find further information on our pricing page.
