Private client charging information
We provide a bespoke fee estimate for all probate and estate administration work at the outset and regularly keep you updated, so you can stay in control of legal fees and costs.
In order to gauge the level of support needed and to give an accurate estimate of the overall legal fees, we first need to learn more about the estate and what elements of the administration process will be required, including whether inheritance tax is payable.
It is difficult to give an exact estimate of our legal fees until we know how much work will be involved. However, all our fees are calculated on a time spent basis, in accordance with our hourly rates.
We do not charge a value element or percentage fee.
Please complete our enquiry form or call one of our private client team for an informal discussion.
Some fee examples
For illustration purposes, please see an indication of our usual fee estimates for probate and estate administration below:
Low Complexity UK Estate—Fees estimate of between £7,500 and £20,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Where the deceased person:
- held a property in their sole name
- held several bank accounts and some investments
- had no debts, other than utility bills
- left a valid will appointing executors
- left the estate to adult children
- incurred no inheritance tax on their estate, due to spouse or charity exemption or after claiming Transferable Nil Rate and Residence Nil Rate bands
Complex UK Estate—Fee estimate of between £20,000 and £50,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Where the deceased person:
- held a property in their sole name and up to two other properties (eg. investment or holiday properties)
- held multiple bank accounts and investments
- owned valuable personal effects and paintings
- made capital life time gifts to the value of £325,000
- had no debts, other than utility bills
- left a valid will appointing executors
- left the estate to adult children and grandchildren as residuary beneficiaries
- incurred inheritance tax on their estate
High Complexity Estate—Fee estimate starting from £50,000 plus VAT and disbursements
Where the deceased person:
- held a multiple properties
- held assets in a foreign jurisdiction of any value
- held multiple bank accounts and investments
- owned valuable personal effects and paintings
- held a controlling share in family business
- left a valid will appointing executors
- left the estate to adult children and grandchildren on a discretionary trust.
- incurred inheritance tax on their estate
Factors that can impact fees
There are numerous factors that can increase the cost of administering an estate.
They include:
- dealing with assets in foreign jurisdictions
- dealing with family tension and potential disputes
- dealing with business assets and claims for Business Property Relief
- missing paperwork
- delayed responses from third parties to communications
- the deceased has retained the benefit of an asset they purported to give away during their lifetime
- significant lifetime capital gifts to individuals and / or trusts and additional reporting requirements
- HMRC compliance enquiries
- dealing with complex assets such as art, time-shares and shares in unlisted companies
- dealing with large portfolios of certificated shares
Payments to third parties (disbursements)
When administering an estate, in addition to our legal fees, there are some standard expenses payable on all estates. These expenses are sometimes called disbursements.
Common examples include:
- Probate court fee £300 plus £1.50 per sealed copy (correct at July 2025)
- UK Bankruptcy search - £2 per search
- HM Land Registry copy title deeds - £7 for each property or title
- Statutory advertisements (to protect Personal Representatives from unexpected claims) – from £300 but actual cost depends upon the cost of placing a Legal Notice in the local paper
- Missing asset searches – typically between £150 to £300
Selling a property
If a property is to be sold or transferred as part of the administration of an estate, our property law and conveyancing team can provide a separate fee estimate for this work, which is in addition to the estate administration fees set out above
Estate income tax
If the estate is complex for HMRC purposes, our in-house tax and accounts team can complete the necessary HMRC compliance and reporting including any estate administration period tax returns required after the date of death. They can provide a separate fee estimate for this work, instead of an external accountancy firm, in addition to the estate administration fees set out above.
Trust, will and estate disputes
If a dispute arises between any combination of the executors and beneficiaries, or there is any family tension which may require mediation or litigation, our trust, will and estate disputes team can provide a fee estimate for their advice to resolve any dispute on your behalf.
Get in touch
If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our private client solicitors; Holborn office +44 (0)20 3826 7522; Kingston office +44 (0)20 3826 7529; Putney office +44 (0)20 3826 7515 or complete our enquiry form.