Fees and Price Structure

The Solicitors Regulation Authority 2018 Transparency Rules require all regulated law firms, who publish as part of their usual business that they offer certain services, to supply information on the prices they charge. 

Probate

Probate Fees for a simple estate administration 

A simple administration is one in which

1. The gross value of the estate is less than the current nil rate band of £325,000 

2. There is a valid Will with executors willing to act

3. There is no more than one property 

4. There are no more than 1-5 bank or building society accounts

5. There are no other assets such as shares, bonds or investments 

6. There are no disputes on division of the assets between the beneficiaries 

7. There are no claims against the estate 

8. All assets, beneficiaries and executors are based in the UK 

We estimate that a simple administration will take between 7-20 hours at the rate of £215 per hour (plus VAT) being £1,500 -£3,500 (plus VAT). The exact cost, however, will depend on the estate composition and number of beneficiaries. 

Crucially, unlike many solicitors, we do not charge an additional fee for the value of the estate (usually 1.5% of the gross value of the assets).

There are also disbursements payable in addition to the fees above. Disbursements are necessary payments to third parties as part of the administration process. These disbursements include the Probate court fee £155 and Official copies at £0.50 each (no VAT). Bankruptcy land charges search at £2 per person (beneficiaries). There are additional fees for adverts in the London Gazette and local newspapers to protect against unexpected claims which will cost in the region of £250 (including VAT). You will be advised of other disbursements in the course of the administration. 

The guide price for a simple administration does not include the cost of carrying out the tasks below. We are happy to provide you with a separate cost estimate for any of these tasks which will be carried out on the basis of an hourly rate of £215 (plus VAT) and may include further disbursements to third parties.

1. Organising the deceased's funeral.
2. The conveyancing work required for the sale or transfer of any freehold or leasehold properties
3. Investigating and/or settling the income tax and/or capital gains tax position of the deceased up to the date of death
4. Any other tax affairs of the deceased or the estate
5. Investigating or claiming any available transferrable nil rate band, residence nil rate band or transferrable residence nil rate band
6. Liaising with any third parties such as accountants or financial advisors
7. Organising insurance policies to protect any assets of the deceased's estate, including any property held
8. Organising the clearance of any property owned or occupied by the deceased.
9. Advising any beneficiaries as to their personal position in light of their inheritance

We can provide a more accurate estimate of costs and timescale once we have information regarding your specific needs.

All Probate work will be carried out by Deborah Schmieder, Solicitor. Deborah completed her legal studies in London and was admitted on the roll of solicitors in May 2004. She therefore has in excess of 15 years legal experience. 

Private Client

The fees below are an estimate. An exact fee can be provided once we have more information from you. 

The fees given exclude VAT.

Standard Will - from £230

Joint wills - from £380 

We would recommend that you register your Will with Certainty (certainty.co.uk) which is a national Wills register. Registering your Will with Certainty is uncomplicated and effective. It is a fact that not being able to locate a Will causes untold distress and potential financial loss for family or beneficiaries. It can lead to a contentious probate if arguments arise over lost Wills or if a previous Will is submitted in error. It takes just a minute or two to record the location of your Will through Certainty's registration process. This ensures that if your Will is lost, misplaced or forgotten over the passage of time, the location of it can be identified.

To register your Will with Certainty will cost an additional £30.00 (inc. VAT).

Notice of Severance - £75 

Declaration of Trust - from £500

Deed of Variation - from £450

One Lasting Power of Attorney Property & Financial Affairs (LPA PF) - £375

One Lasting Power of Attorney Health & Welfare (LPA HW) - £375

Both LPAs for one person - £600

If LPAs are needed for yourself and your partner, then a further reduced fee is available.

Two Lasting Power of Attorney Property & Financial Affairs (LPA PF) - £550

Two Lasting Power of Attorney Health & Welfare (LPA HW) - £550

Two sets of both LPAs - £775

LPAs need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used. The OPG charge a fee for registration of the LPAs which is currently £82 per LPA. This is an additional cost to the above quoted fees. You may be eligible for assistance with the OPG fees dependent on your financial situation.

We aim to have a two week turnaround on Wills from date of instruction to signing the Will but is case specific dependent on complexity of Will. Timescales on LPAs can be advised as case specific and are impacted by the delays experienced by the OPG in sealing and returning LPAs. This timescale may of course be extended further given the current Covid lockdown rules.

All Private Client work will be carried out by Deborah Schmieder, Solicitor. Deborah completed her legal studies in London and was admitted on the roll of solicitors in May 2004. She therefore has in excess of 15 years legal experience. 

Family and Children Matters

Work is undertaken on an hourly rate of £215 per hour (plus VAT).

Some areas of work can be undertaken for a set fee, as below. If the work in that area, however, becomes more complex than anticipated or if additional work is required, then additional work will be charged at the above hourly rate. It is difficult to provide a timescale as much of the work in this area is dependent on court response times. The family court as are currently experiencing a backlog and delay in response given the Covid restrictions.

Divorce (straightforward) as petitioner - £750

Divorce (undefended) as respondent - £400

The above excludes advice regarding financial matters or children matters which will be charged at the hourly rate.

Cohabitation Agreement/ Separation Agreement/Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements - from £750

Financial Consent Order - from £800. 

Additional charge at hourly rate will apply on further substantial re drafting of the above agreements.

Work undertaken on children matters will be charged at an hourly rate. 

We can provide a more accurate estimate of costs and timescale once we have information regarding your specific needs.

Disbursements you may incur include court application fees and representation at court should counsel be needed. 

The court fee to submit a divorce petition is currently £593. Court fee to commence financial proceedings £275. Fee to seal Financial Consent Order £50. On Children Act applications the court fee to submit an application for a Child Arrangements Order, Specific Issue Order or Prohibited Steps Order is £215. There is no VAT on court fees. You may be eligible for assistance with court fees dependent on your financial situation.

There are no court fees in relation to domestic violence applications for Non Molestation Orders or Occupation Orders.

For up to date information on court fees please refer to EX50 Civil and Family Court Fees (publishing.service.gov.uk

All Family and Children work will be carried out by Deborah Schmieder, Solicitor. Deborah completed her legal studies in London and was admitted on the roll of solicitors in May 2004. She therefore has in excess of 20 years legal experience.