Estate Planning Fees

Smalleys Solicitors LTD operates under the guidance of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which mandates transparency in our fee structure. Below is a detailed overview of our fees related to Estate Planning and Probate Services.

If you have any enquiries, feel free to contact us at (0115) 955 6555 or send us a message through the contact page.

Estate Administration (Probate) Fees

Our goal is to provide you with an estimate of the costs involved in applying for the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration and fully administering an estate. However, please note that the costs provided are indicative and can vary based on individual circumstances and client requirements.

Fixed Fee Probate/Letters of Administration Application

We offer a fixed fee service to assist in obtaining the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration. This service includes identifying the type of application required, advising the Executor on the necessary information, completing the relevant forms, and submitting them to HMCTS and the Probate Registry on behalf of the Executor. Once the Grant is obtained, it will be forwarded to the Executor, who will then be responsible for collecting and distributing the estate’s assets.

Service	Cost (Legal Fees + VAT)	Disbursements	Description
Applying for a Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration (Straightforward Estate)	£595 + VAT	Additional costs may apply	For estates valued at less than £325,000.00, using form IHT205.
Applying for a Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration (Including Nil-Rate Band Rollover)	£625 + VAT	Additional costs may apply	For estates valued at less than £650,000.00, using forms IHT205 and IHT217.
Applying for a Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration (Inheritance Tax Account Required)	£1,750 + VAT	Additional costs may apply	For estates requiring form IHT400, potentially including a Residence Nil Rate Band claim.

Time Frame: The process of obtaining the Grant typically takes between 10-14 weeks. After the Executor provides the necessary information and the forms are submitted, the Probate Registry generally takes 6-10 weeks to issue the Grant.

Hourly Rate Work

For full estate administration, including applying for the Grant, collecting assets, and distributing them, the cost is based on the hourly rate of the Solicitor handling your matter.

Role	Hourly Rate
Partner/Member Solicitor	£280
Senior Solicitor or Head of Department (PQE 8+ years)	£250
Assistant Solicitor/Fee Earner (PQE 3-7 years)	£215
NQ Fee Earner (PQE 1-3 years)	£185
Paralegals/Trainees	£135
Support Paralegals	£115

You will be informed at the start of the process about who will be handling your case and the applicable rates.

Estimated Cost and Time: Most cases involve 10-40 hours of work, with costs ranging from £2,250 to £8,000 plus VAT and disbursements. This estimate assumes there is a valid Will, only one property, fewer than five bank/building society accounts, no beneficiary disputes, no inheritance tax payable, and no claims against the estate. We also charge an uplift according to Law Society Guidelines, considering the complexity and value of the deceased’s estate. The uplift rate is 0.5% for real estate and 1% for free estate (cash, investments, etc.).

VAT

All quoted fees are exclusive of VAT, which is charged at the standard government rate of 20%.

Time Frame for Estate Administration

Typically, estates within this estimate range are completed within 6-12 months. The Grant process takes 10-14 weeks, and liaising with asset holders to close accounts can take 4-6 weeks. The timeline may be extended if property sales are involved. Once all assets are collected, liabilities settled, and estate accounts approved by the Executors, the estate is usually distributed within two weeks.

Please note that these timelines are estimates and may be subject to change, particularly as we are dependent on third parties.

Likely Disbursements

Here are some typical disbursements you may expect:

Disbursement	Cost
Court Fee	£300
Sealed Copies of the Grant	£1.50 each
Bankruptcy Searches	£9/person
S27 Trustee Act Notices	£200 (Approx)
Re-issued Dividend Cheques or Fees for Lost Certificates	As set by the third party

Potential Additional Costs

Additional costs may arise in the following situations:

• Absence of a Will.
• Numerous shareholdings.
• International beneficiaries.
• Trusts in the Will.
• Significant gifts made by the deceased within the last seven years.
• Inheritance Tax payable.
• Disputes between beneficiaries and/or Executors.
• A missing beneficiary.

Please note: The cost of transferring or selling any property is not included.

At your initial appointment, the Solicitor will discuss your requirements in detail and provide a comprehensive cost estimate.

If you have any enquiries, feel free to contact us at (0115) 955 6555 or send us a message through the contact page.