Estate Administration & Probate
Sorting out an estate takes time and can be extremely complex. We can take the pressure off by ensuring it is administered efficiently and with compassion.
Dealing with the personal affairs of someone who has died is often a mixture of difficult emotions and frustration. Sorting out an estate takes time and can be extremely complex.
Probate is the process of sorting out a person’s estate after they have passed away. This can include repaying debts and distributing assets in accordance with their Will, if there is one, or through rules of intestacy if no Will was made.
If you have been appointed as the executor of a person’s estate, there are specific rules that dictate how the estate will be distributed and how to notify the authorities.
As an executor or administrator, you are personally responsible for your actions and often control assets of significant value. It is therefore important that you understand your role and the probate and estate administration process. Otherwise, you could become personally liable if the estate is not administered correctly. At a minimum, it is a good idea to obtain some independent legal advice at the outset, so that you are aware of what is involved.
Our team of experts can take the pressure off you by ensuring the estate is administered efficiently and with compassion, understanding and professionalism.
At CKE Law, our experts can help you with this process, Our areas of expertise include:
- Grants of Probate (If A Will)
- Letters of Administration (If No Will)
- Preparation of Estate Accounts
- Advice on Inheritance Tax
- Post Death Arrangements
- Arranging The Funeral
- Registering Trusts with HMRC
- Reporting Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
- Tax Returns With HM Revenue & Customs
How much does probate cost?
We will provide you with a fixed fee probate quote which is based on the individual circumstances of your loved one’s estate. Our price ranges from £1,630 to £36,698 excluding VAT and disbursements. There are a number of factors which can affect the complexity of an estate and the quotation you will be given, including the value and nature of the assets, whether or not there is a will, and the number of beneficiaries.
Other solicitors may charge an hourly rate for time they spend on the administration of an estate and some charge a percentage of the value of the estate.
At CKE Law we do not do this. We offer a free, fixed fee probate quotation so you will know how much it will cost to fully administer the estate before our solicitors start any probate work.
Example Probate Pricing
Every Estate is different, but to give you a deeper understanding of our probate pricing here are some examples of our fixed fee probate quotations for estates of varying size and complexity. These probate cost examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not a guarantee of the fixed fee probate quotation that you will receive, which will be tailored to your specific situation:
Example Estate 1 – Simple Estate
1 property
2 bank accounts
Valid will
No liabilities
4 beneficiaries
Estate value £145,000
Our fixed fee Probate quotation for this estate would be £2,694 (+VAT and disbursements)
Example Estate 2 – Standard Estate
1 property
6 bank accounts
Valid will
4 beneficiaries / personal representatives
Estate value £240,000
Our fixed fee probate quotation for this estate would be £4,308 (+VAT and disbursements)
Example Estate 3 – Complex Estate
1 property
8 bank / financial institution accounts
No will (intestate)
4 beneficiaries
Estate value £730,000
Our fixed fee probate quotation for this estate would be £10,237 (+VAT and disbursements)
Example Estate 4 – High Value Estate
2 x properties
9 bank/ financial institutions accounts
Valid will
4 beneficiaries
Estate value £2.5 million
Our fixed fee probate quotation for this estate would be £19,765 (+VAT and disbursements)