Uncontested Probate (with all assets in the UK)

Our fees include obtaining the grant of probate, collecting assets, and distributing them. The precise work and stages involved in a probate matter vary according to the circumstances. However, we have set out the key stages involved in a typical probate matter:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
• Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries.
• Establish the extent of the estate by identifying the various assets and liabilities.
• Identify the type of probate application required.
• The application for Grant of Probate is prepared and then declared by the executor and submitted to the Probate Registry together with the Will if there is one.
• Once the Grant is received, it is submitted to the various organisations with whom assets are held in order to start the process of transferring the assets into the beneficiaries’ names.
• All estate liabilities have to be paid before the estate can be distributed among the beneficiaries;
• Confirmation is required that tax is paid up to date and there are no outstanding HMRC claims;
• Estate accounts should be prepared thereafter, and the estate distributed in accordance with the terms of the Will.

Our service (within this fee example) will not include any of the following:

• Any contested probate matters or advice on the same.
• Advice on tax or other accounting matters.
• Advice on assets held outside of the UK.
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate.

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6 to 12 months.

Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 2 - 4 months.

Collecting assets then follows, which can take 2 - 4 months.

Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2 - 4 months.

In some circumstances we may increase our fees to account for additional time, work or skill required to meet your instructions. Examples include:

• If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with.
• If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 (1 per asset usually.)
• Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate as this is not included in this service.

Our probate team includes:

Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Richard Roberts who is the Head of Department and Managing Director. Richard is also assisted by Joanne Bury a Private Client Consultant Lead.

If you would like to find out more about our staff, please click here.