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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.

Please note that the below prices do not include VAT or Disbursements unless otherwise stated.

Grant of Probate

Non-Taxable Estates
£750/(+VAT)
  • Includes:
  • Submission of Inheritance Tax Form 205
  • Application for Grant of Probate
  • VAT
  • This fee allows for the following to be included in the estate:
  • 1 Property
  • 5 Bank/Building Society Accounts
  • 3 Shareholdings
  • Taxable Estates
  • Taxable estates are generally much more complex and require different sets of forms for completion. A price guide for our Grant of Probate service in relation to taxable estates can be found below.
  • Estate Administration
  • There is an additional cost of £240 for us to administer the estate for up to 4 beneficiaries.
  • Timescale:
  • Attaining grant of probate for a simple estate can take between 4 and 24 weeks.
  • Total Cost including VAT:

  • £900

Taxable Estates

Our fees are calculated on an hourly rate and an estimated cost for this service is provided below based on a typical case. This estimate includes completing and submitting paperwork in relation to taxation, application for the grant of probate, and the administration of the estate on your behalf.

Estimated Cost: £1,800 – £2,500 (+VAT)

Includes Paperwork for Taxation and Grant of Probate Including Oaths: £1,000-£1,700 (+VAT)

Estate Administration:

Hourly Rate: £200

Estimated Hours: 4

Estimated Timescale: 16 – 30 weeks

 

Total cost including VAT: £2,160 – £3,000

 

Includes:

Completion and submission of Inheritance Tax forms for taxable estates and schedules associated with this

The preparation and submission of the application for grant of probate

Gathering the estate’s assets

Distributing those assets to up to 4 beneficiaries of the estate

The estimate is based on a service which includes us dealing with one property, five bank/building society accounts, and up to three shareholdings. This would apply if it is a non-taxable estate with a valid will and where we would be distributing assets to up to two beneficiaries. The fee does not include disbursements which are discussed in greater detail below.

Get a more accurate quote

Every case is different, to get a bespoke estimate contact us today and we can discuss the specifics of yours.

Call: (01792) 643 021

E-mail: LAW@GOLDSTONES.CO.UK

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 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 fees. We price these based on the cost these services are charged to us:

Probate Court Fee: £155

Swearing of Oath Fee: £5 per Executor

Bankruptcy searches against each beneficiary: £2 per person

Trustee Act Notice in London Gazette and Local Paper to protect against unexpected claims against the estate: £260 (estimate)

 

Please note:

These fees do not apply where any assets of the estate are outside of the UK

These fees do not apply if the Will or distribution of the estate is contested

These fees do not apply if there is a claim against the estate under the Inheritance Family & Dependants Act

If the administration of the estate requires the sale or transfer of a property this will be charged separately.

Our Team

Catherine Stewart

Managing Director, Solicitor

Qualified: 1979

Catherine qualified as a solicitor in 1979. Following a return to Swansea in 1991, Catherine practised with Douglas Jones Mercer before joining Goldstones in 1995 as a partner and then a director on the firm’s incorporation.

Catherine specialises in domestic and commercial conveyancing, assisting in the sale and purchase of properties. She has a particular interest in agricultural, rural and equestrian property.

Catherine is experienced in the drafting of will and applications for probate, the administration of estates, as well as the preparation of lasting powers of attorney.

 

Bridgitte Harvey

Solicitor

Qualified: 1983

Bridgitte joined Goldstones in 2014, having been a partner with the Gwyn George partnership in Ystradgynlais.

Bridgitte qualified as a solicitor in 1983 and is experienced in all aspects of property law, both residential and commercial.

Bridgitte is also experienced in the drafting of wills and applications for probate, the administration of estates, as well as the preparation of lasting powers of attorney.

Julian Hoskins

Solicitor

Qualified: 2006

Julian qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and worked with Swansea firm Simmonds Hurford before joining Goldstones in January 2017. Julian is experienced in all areas of private client work and deals with both commercial and residential conveyancing. Julian undertakes Probate matters, wills, Court of Protection work and prepares lasting Powers of Attorney.

How it Works

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 the HMRC.

Stage 2

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.

We will need to swear an executor’s oath at this stage to confirm that the details of the application are correct.

Stage 3

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.

We will complete the related forms as well as any additional schedules to establish the amount of tax payable.

Stage 4

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 5

Pay Inheritance Tax

If there is inheritance tax payable on the estate then it must be paid prior to the administration of the estate. Funds can be transferred directly from one of the deceased’s accounts for this if there are sufficient funds.

Stage 6

Administer the Estate

In the final stage of the probate process we will distribute the assets of the estate in accordance with a Will or the rules of intestacy.