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 £210
Support £120
We review our hourly rates anually as they are subject to increase due to market forces from time to time. If so you will be notified in writing before an increase in implemented.
Divorce
Petitioner in divorce (undefended), agreed fee of £700+VAT
Court fee of £593*.
Respondent in divorce (undefended), agreed fee of £500+VAT.
Costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
In all cases before we carry out any work for you we will outline our costs in writing in a client care letter which you then approve. You will receive regular reviews of our costs and regular statements and updates on costs and timings.
Matrimonial Finances
Based upon our hourly rates £210+VAT.
Court fee of £275*.
Costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
In all cases before we carry out any work for you we will outline our costs in writing in a client care letter which you then approve. You will receive regular reviews of our costs and regular statements and updates on costs and timings.
Private Children Matters
Based upon our hourly rate of £210+VAT.
Court fee £232* (if applicable).
Costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
In all cases before we carry out any work for you we will outline our costs in writing in a client care letter which you then approve. You will receive regular reviews of our costs and regular statements and updates on costs and timings.
Wills
Simple Single Will from £199+VAT.
Simple Mirror Wills from £299+VAT for a couple
Will with an occupational or life interest from £295+VAT
Will with an occupational or life interest for couples from £350 plus VAT
Codicils from £125 plus VAT
Codicils for couples from £175 plus VAT
If there are more complex issues i.e severing tenancy, trusts etc then additional costs can be clarified after free initial appointment.
In all cases before we carry out any work for you we will outline our costs in writing in a client care letter which you then approve. You will receive regular reviews of our costs and regular statements and updates on costs and timings.
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.
In all cases before we carry out any work for you we will outline our costs in writing in a client care letter which you then approve. You will receive regular reviews of our costs and regular statements and updates on costs and timings.
Probate
Probate Applications and Estates
We offer a free appointment to enable us to give you initial advice at what is a difficult time. At that meeting we will provide you with an overview of what the costs are likely to be and the work that we may carry out for you.
We do not charge a percentage of the value of the estate. We only charge for the work carried out by us.
Your work will be carried out by Garfield Wallett who is an experienced solicitor and a member of STEP.
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.
inquiries raised by the Inland Revenue
As part of any fee quoted we will:
Provide you with an experienced Solicitor and support from our team.
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 + Vat |
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 – £15,000 + 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. |
|
In all cases before we carry out any work for you we will outline our costs in writing in a client care letter which you then approve. You will receive regular reviews of our costs and regular statements and updates on costs and timings. |
|
|
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Additional Costs and Timings
If disputes between beneficiaries or executors arise, then this is likely to lead to an increase in costs.
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.
Please note that due to the ongoing restrictions caused by COVID, Government departments, Court's, the Probate registry and other institutions may have further delays in processing information which may lead to delays in your case. If so you will be advised.
Please note that we do not carry out conveyancing services, however we can provide you with the details of the Law society service "find a solicitor" or Review Solicitors to assist you in this process.
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 |
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 |
The costs of an advertisment may change due to market forces. If so you will be updated in writing. |
|
Advertisement in local newspaper. Searches provided by Will Certainty Registered will search Combined will Search Protect will Search |
£175 - £200 + VAT £38 + VAT £95.00 + VAT £199 + VAT |
The charges will vary depending on the cost of the relevant local newspaper. You will be updated in writing. Search for a registered will Searches including for a registered will and searches nationally for an unregistered will Protect will search performs all of the above searches plus a section 27 Notice |
*Subject to change by HMCTS/OPG
