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Probate and Estate Administration Services in Goffs Oak, Enfield and Stevenage

Dealing with probate when someone dies can be difficult. We’ll talk you through the process, making sure you’re kept informed every step of the way.

We have a very experienced team of both chartered accountants and a fully qualified solicitor. This means we not only have considerable probate knowledge but also accounting and tax knowledge should this be required.

We do not charge a percentage of the estate where solicitors and banks traditionally do so.

A flexible probate service that puts your needs first
We offer a flexible service with the ability for us to become involved as much or as little as you would like. Fees in probate matters can vary and will depend on your individual circumstances. We offer a range of pricing options which are set out below.

If you’re not able to get to our offices in Goffs Oak or Stevenage, our probate solicitor Tracey Ledgister-Forbes is happy to meet you in your home or another location locally or even to meet via an online video call if preferred to explain the probate process, answer your questions and provide you with a bespoke quotation.

CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE

If you need help with probate or Estate administration, get in touch today.

OUR PROBATE SERVICE FEES

We offer a range of pricing options for probate services to suit your individual circumstances and needs. Unlike many solicitors and banks, we do not charge a percentage of the Estate. 

Our service is flexible – we can be involved as much or as little as you like. We can manage the entire probate process on your behalf, including getting the Grant of Probate, right through to administering and distributing the Estate, or, if you’re happy to undertake the Estate administration yourself, we can simply apply for the Grant of Probate for you.

FIXED FEE PACKAGES FOR OBTAINING THE GRANT OF PROBATE

Our fixed fee options are ideal if your situation is relatively straightforward and you are happy to do some of the work yourself (such as calling in the Estate's assets, paying liabilities or making distributions to the beneficiaries.) All prices quoted include VAT. 

As part of our fixed fee packages we will:

  • Identify the type of probate application needed and determine whether Inheritance Tax is due

  • Obtain the relevant documents needed to make the application for probate

  • Complete the relevant Inheritance Tax forms and the Probate application

  • On receipt of the Grant of Representation, we will forward it to you so you can administer the Estate.

Package 1
No Inheritance Tax is payable and the value of the Estate is below the current nil-rate band of £325,000 and all necessary information is provided to us. 
Fee: £1,000 + VAT

Package 2
No Inheritance Tax is payable due to transfer of nil-rate band and all necessary information is provided to us. 
Fee: £1,500 + VAT

Package 3
Form IHT 400 is to be completed and/or Inheritance Tax is payable, and all necessary information is provided to us. 
Fee: £2,500 + VAT.  £250 + VAT for each additional IHT schedule.

FULL PROBATE SERVICE

We will handle the full probate process for you and fully administer the estate.  This will involve:

  • Ascertaining the assets and liabilities in the Estate and contacting the relevant institutions to obtain date of death valuations

  • Preparing the necessary Inheritance Tax (IHT) forms

  • Calculating the IHT payable (if relevant)

  • Submitting the application for and obtaining the Grant of Representation

  • Placing Section 27 notices (these are advertisements that are placed to inform any potential creditors that the estate is going to be distributed)

  • Collecting assets and settling liabilities

  • Settling any outstanding tax (if relevant)

  • Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries

  • Preparing Estate Accounts

How we calculate our full probate service fees
Our fees for the full probate service will be charged on a time-spent basis. This means we only charge you for the work carried out on behalf of the estate and not the value of the estate.  We charge an hourly rate which is applicable to the person undertaking the work. We are happy to provide you with a “no obligation” estimate of fees based on your particular circumstances.

Our initial meeting allows us to gather information about the estate and will enable us to provide you with an estimate for the work to be carried out. The fee estimate will be reviewed regularly and if it becomes apparent that this will be exceeded, we will discuss this with you before proceeding and obtain your consent to proceed.

As the work undertaken is time recorded, a copy of the timesheet can be requested at any stage in the process.

EXAMPLE FEES
To give you an idea of the overall costs of the service, we have included some examples below:

FULL PROBATE SERVICE: EXAMPLE 1 
Obtaining a grant of probate (simple)
Instructions received from a client who has lost her mother. We are instructed to obtain the Grant of Probate, but are not required to administer the estate.  The mother was a widow, and therefore the last surviving parent. There is a valid Will which is uncontested.  Our client is the sole executor of the Will, and the total value of the estate is £200,000, consisting mainly of bank accounts.  This is a straightforward estate and there are no complicating factors.

Our fees would be in the region of £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements.  

FULL PROBATE SERVICE: EXAMPLE 2
Full administration of estate including obtaining a Grant of Probate (complex)
Instructions received from a client who has recently lost his father. We are instructed to obtain the Grant of Probate and administer the estate. The father was a widower, so the last surviving parent. The deceased had inherited his wife’s entire estate. There is a valid and uncontested Will and our client is one of the two named executors of the Will, the second executor being his sibling. The total value of the previously inherited estate is £370,000 and the value of the father’s estate is £850,000. The combined total takes the value of the estate over the Inheritance Tax threshold, so a full Inheritance Tax account will have to be filed with HMRC. The estate consists of cash, residential properties, a property abroad and a private pension scheme. In addition, there are beneficiaries under the age of 18, so setting up a Trust will be required.

Our fees would be in the region of £15,000 plus VAT and disbursements.

What are disbursements?
During the administration of the estate there will be administrative costs to be paid to third parties. Fees below are correct at November 2021. All prices include VAT.  These include:

  • Probate fee £300 plus £1.50 per court sealed copy

  • Land registry fees (per copy title document) £3.00

  • Bankruptcy Land Charges Services search (per name) £2.00

  • Statutory notices in the London Gazette and local newspaper to alert potential creditors of the estate £275 - £325

  • Anti Money Laundering / Due Diligence checks £5