Probate

Obtaining a grant of representation only

£1,000 plus VAT (currently 20%) being £1,200 in total.

As part of this fixed fee, we will:-

• Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate practitioner to work with you on the matter;
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries;
• Accurately identify the type of application to the Probate Registry required;
• Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application;
• Complete the probate application and Inland Revenue forms;
• Prepare the appropriate Probate Registry form for execution by the administrators or executors;
• Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf;
• Obtain the grant of probate and send any copies of that document requested to you.

Our fee assumes that:-

1. The net value of the estate is below £325,000
2. No Inheritance Tax is payable
3. The Will is valid and/or there is no challenge to the validity of the Will
4. There are no disputes between the beneficiaries or the executors

If any of the points at (1) to (4) above apply then additional costs are likely to apply, details of which will be supplied when we have been provided with further information from you or as the transaction progresses.

Obtaining a grant of representation and collecting and distributing the estate

Where we have been asked to obtain a grant but to also administer an estate including dealing with the payment of tax and collecting in and distributing the assets within that estate, our charges will vary depending upon the size and breadth of assets within the estate.

Our charges are based upon the following hourly charge-out rates of our personnel within the department detailed at "Who will deal with your case"

It is impossible to provide you with a fixed price for the work that will be required because this will depend upon the circumstances of your particular case and the number of hours of work that will be required. Once we have further information from you we will provide you with an approximation of the number of hours and estimated charges for acting. However at this stage we are able to set out a range of fees that could be applicable:-

Estimated fee range: £1,000 plus VAT to £60,000 plus VAT

At the higher end of the fee charging structure, the estate would be extremely complex in nature.  It may include a portfolio of different assets, complicated taxation issues, multiple properties and investments and specific instructions to BRM in respect of the deceased’s property or remains.

The lower end of the fee range would apply for example to an uncomplicated estate where there is one beneficiary, no real property with only liquid assets to administer (for example bank accounts).

Our fees assume that:

1. There is no dispute between the beneficiaries on the division of assets;
2. There is no dispute between the executors;
3. Neither BRM or one of its directors, former directors or partners or member of staff have been appointed as the executor;
4. There are no assets in a foreign jurisdiction;
5. There are no disputes as to the ownership of assets of the estate;
6. There are no disputed claims against the estate;
7. Liquid funds are available to pay any Inheritance Tax due to HMRC.

If any of the circumstances referred to at (1) to (7) above apply this is likely to lead to additional costs being incurred and we will provide you with a more accurate quote once we have further information from you either at the outset or as the administration progresses.

For example where a director, employee or former director or employee of BRM or former partner of a predecessor firm of BRM are appointed as the executor then in addition to the time spent on the matter (charged at the hourly rates) there may be applicable charges (excluding VAT) of between 0.75% to 1.5% of the estate value.

This is often referred to as the “value element” charge.

If such a charge applies then the hourly rates referred to above would be reduced and details of such reduced rates will be provided where appropriate.