Costs
Transparent, affordable and fair costs
One of the most worrying aspect of instructing a solicitor is the cost. Historically a solicitors costs have been based upon the hourly rate. There are times where exact costs cannot be given and solicitors have no real alternative than to charge by the hour. However, we firmly believe that this can be limited and that costs can set out in the majority of cases. Our aim is to provide our client’s with the security of knowing exactly where they stand with costs and how much to budget for.
Our structure allows us to provide the very best service to you at a transparent, affordable and fair cost. However, this does not affect our quality of service as we pride ourselves on providing the very best service by our fully qualified and experienced solicitor and support network.
Our targets are client driven not driven by fees – we are committed to providing our clients with that very special personal service that defines us from the rest.
Call for your free confidential appointment and to discuss our costs
Cost Estimate
How we calculate charges
Our charges will be based upon the time which we spend dealing with the work which includes preparing and working on papers, meetings, hearings, travelling, making and receiving telephone calls, correspondence etc. The hourly rates charged for the time spent on the work are detailed below. Routine letters and telephone calls are charged at 1/10th of the hourly rate.
Hourly rates (exclusive of VAT)
Senior Solicitor £200
Support £110-£120
Divorce
Petitioner in divorce (undefended), agreed fee of £700+VAT
Court fee of £550*.
Respondent in divorce (undefended), agreed fee of £500+VAT.
Costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
Matrimonial Finances
Based upon our hourly rates £200+VAT.
Court fee of £255*.
Costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
Private Children Matters
Based upon our hourly rate of £200+VAT.
Court fee £215* (if applicable).
Costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
Wills
Simple Single Will from £150+VAT.
Simple Mirror Will from £199+VAT.
If more complex i.e serving tenancy, trusts etc then additional costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Based upon £250+VAT per LPA.
Office of the Public Guardian costs of £82* per LPA.
Costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
Probate
Probate Applications and Estates
The complexity of probate applications varies depending on a number of factors such as:
value of the estate
whether there was a valid Will
number of beneficiaries
number and types of assets involved.
enquiries raised by the Inland Revenue
As part of any fee quoted we will:
Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor or probate fee earner to work on your matter.
Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries.
Ascertain the value of the estate, if necessary.
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 and liaise at this stage with HMRC, if necessary.
If the estate is subject to Inheritance Tax, calculate the Inheritance Tax payable in order to apply for the Grant of Probate.
If the estate is taxable, liaise with the relevant financial institutions to pay the said tax.
Submit the relevant papers to the Inland Revenue and/or the Probate Court on your behalf.
Obtain the Probate.
Dealing with any queries the Inland Revenue may have to include paying the balance of any Inheritance Tax owed
Completing further forms if the value of the estate has changed since the probate valuations and either more tax is payable by the estate or repayable to the estate from the Revenue.
Collect and distribute all the assets
If you need assistance in administering the estate i.e. collecting in and then distributing the estate the fees quoted will be towards the higher end of the range. The fees will also be towards the higher end of the range quoted if there are multiple accounts and beneficiaries.
Probate Applications Can Generally Be Divided Into The Following Areas Of Work:
|
TYPE OF WORK |
COST |
TIMESCALE |
COMPLEXITY FACTORS INCURRING FURTHER COSTS |
|
Obtaining a grant of probate in a simple estate. |
£750 + VAT |
3-6months |
This fee is only applicable if the Executors have identified the full value of the estate. |
|
Obtaining a grant and administering an estate where there is a valid Will. No Inheritance Tax to pay. |
£1,000 – £5,000 + VA |
3-6months |
If there are shareholdings (stocks and bonds) involved further work will be required depending on how they are to be dealt with. |
|
Obtaining letters of administration where there is not a Will (an intestacy) and administering the estate. No inheritance tax to pay. |
£1,200 – £5,000 + VAT |
3-6months |
Further work may be required to locate missing beneficiaries by instructing a specialist firm who will charge their costs separately at the tune of instruction. |
|
Obtaining a grant/ letters of administration and administering the estate where no inheritance tax is pay but a full Inheritance Tax Return required. |
£2,500 – £6,000 + VAT |
Within 6 months but depending upon HMRC |
In some cases a full inheritance tax return will be required even though inheritance tax is not payable. |
|
Valid Will or intestate. Inheritance tax payable. Full inheritance tax return required. |
£5,000 – £20,000 + VAT |
Minimum of 8-10months dependant upon Inland Revenue investigations |
A taxable estate will require a full tax return setting out the details of each asset. Additional work may be required when claiming nil rate bands from a former deceased spouse’s estate as the former spouse’s estate value would also need to be established. |
|
Your Local Family Solicitors are Executors. |
2% of the gross value of the estate. |
|
|
Additional Costs and Timings
If disputes between beneficiaries or executors arise, then this is likely to lead to an increase in costs and the matter may well have to be referred to another department within the firm.
Please note: that when dealing with the Inland Revenue, it is difficult to give an exact timescale as to how long matters will take to complete.
If Inheritance Tax is not payable, but a full Inland Revenue Return needs to be done, we have to wait for the Inland Revenue to return important documents prior to making the Application for Probate. Therefore, any timescale will depend upon how long it takes for the Inland Revenue to deal with the said forms. If inheritance tax is payable The Inland Revenue have twenty weeks to raise any enquiries on any forms submitted and thereafter their investigations can continue beyond the time-frame given.
We will give you a more accurate quote once we have ascertained further information regarding the estate. We would also ensure that you are kept updated with regards to timescales and issues which may cause further delay in dealing with an estate.
Disbursements During the running of any application, we anticipate that the following disbursements may be required:
|
TYPE |
COST |
VARIABLE FACTORS |
|
Probate application court fee. |
£155.00 + £0.50 per additional copy* |
Fixed fee. |
|
Commissioner’s fee. |
£5.00 + £2 per person per exhibit |
Costs will vary on number of exhibits and number of personal representatives. |
|
Office Copy Entries. |
£3.00 + VAT |
Number of office copies obtained depending on number of properties and whether both leasehold and freehold titles registered separately. |
|
Bankruptcy searches. |
£2.00 + VAT |
Number of personal representatives and beneficiaries against whom searches need to be made. |
|
Advertisement in the London Gazette to protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors. |
£69.50 + VAT |
|
|
Advertisement in local newspaper. |
Unknown + VAT |
The charges will vary depending on the cost of the relevant local newspaper. |
*Subject to change by HMCTS/OPG
