Probate Fees

Information relating to fees and expenses and the work involved in connection with the application for a grant of probate or letters of administration

We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the grant of probate on your behalf. We will also undertake the settlement of liabilities and the collection and distribution of assets.

How much does our service cost?

Gard & Co’s fees are based on the value and complexity of the estate and will range from between 3 and 5% of the gross value of the estate, plus vat.

If you prefer, you can instruct us on an hourly rate basis. The cost will then range from between £180 and £230 per hour, depending on who amongst the team is instructed and their level of experience. All of the team are either solicitors or legal executives who specialise in this area of law. An uncontested probate could take between 35 and 50 hours to complete. All fees are subject to vat.

Unlike some law firms, we do not charge both an hourly rate and a percentage of the value of the estate

In addition to our fees you will need to budget for expenses or payments that we will need to make to third parties on your behalf and these will include –

• probate court fee of £155.
• swearing of the oath fee £ 7 per executor.
• property valuation (if required) £250 – £500 + vat
• land registry fee – varies depending on the value of the property but starts at £20
• bankruptcy-only land charges department searches at £ 1 per beneficiary.
• post in the London Gazette and in a local newspaper of £200 to help protect against unknown claims.

As part of our fixed fee approach to dealing with the administration of an estate we will –

• provide a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor or legal executive to work on your matter
• identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
• accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
• obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
• complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
• draft a legal oath for you to swear
• make an application to the probate court on your behalf
• obtain the grant of probate or letters of administration and send two copies to you
• identify and pay all liabilities and collect and distribute all assets in the estate

On average, estates that fall within this range are completed within 3 – 4 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 3 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take up to 6 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which typically takes about 4 weeks. The time will vary according to the size of the estate, whether the estate is taxable, the number and type of assets and liabilities and the number of beneficiaries.