Wills & Probate Solicitors

Probate & Administration of Estates

PHH Solicitors understand sorting out the legal formalities after someone’s death can be a difficult and emotional time, and we will always help make the process straightforward for you.

We manage all Wills and matters of probate with sensitivity and discretion, with clear advice and practical assistance on all legal aspects and issues arising in the administration of a deceased’s estate.

We also can deal with obtaining Grants of Probate where someone has died leaving a Will, and obtain Grants of Letters of Administration where there is no Will.

Formation & Administration of Trusts

Should you wish to make lifetime arrangements to provide for young children or a family member with a disability, PHH Solicitors can help to establish a Trust from which monies and assets can be held. We can also assist with ongoing administration and taxation of a trust and act as a trustee.

To find out how we can help you to write a will or form a Trust, contact us online or call 01253 824 216. Home visits are available for elderly or infirm clients who are unable to attend at our offices.

View Schedule of Fees for Probate Services

Fees for Dealing with the Administration of an Estate

Our Fees are based on us applying for the Grant and collecting and distributing the assets. Our hourly charges range from £150 – £201 per hour, dependent on the level of experience of the file handler. The total costs are based on the amount of time we believe it will take to administer your matter, however, this can vary due to individual circumstances.

For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, then our costs will be at the lower end of the scale. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, then the costs will be at the higher end of the scale.

The following charges apply where:

There is a Valid Will
There is no more than one property
There are no more than 3 bank accounts
There are no other intangible assets
There are between 1-4 beneficiaries
There are no disputes between beneficiaries on the division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
There are no claims made against the estate

Gross Asset Value	Fee all excl. VAT @20%
Up to £20,000	£650 to £1,250
£20,001 to £50,000	£1,250 to £2,500
£ 50,001 to £100,000	£2,500 to £3,500
£100,000 to £150,000	£3,500 to £4,000
£150,001 to £200,000	£4,000 to £5,000
£200,001 to £300,000	£5,000 to £6,500
£300,001 to £350,000	£6,500 to £7,500
£350,001 to £450,000	£7,500 to £8,000
£450,001 and above	By Agreement

If you do not wish for us to administer the estate but want us to just obtain a Grant of Probate we charge a one-off fee of £495 +VAT + Disbursements.

Applying for and obtaining a Grant Of Probate will usually take around 3 months. Administering an Estate from start to finish can take anywhere between 6-12 months depending on the complexity of the Estate and the assets involved.

Disbursements

All of the above fees are exclusive of disbursements. Disbursements are costs that are incurred on your behalf, such as Probate Court Fees, Estate Agent Commission and any other third-party costs.

Usual Disbursements are:

£157.50 Probate Court Fee
£7.00 Oath Fee (per executor)
Trustee Act Notice in the London Gazette and Local Paper (Helps to Protect against unexpected claims from creditors)

We handle the payment of disbursements for you so as to ensure a smoother process

If you do not wish for us to administer the estate but want us to just obtain a Grant of Probate we charge a one-off fee of £495 +VAT + Disbursements

Potential Additional Costs

If there is no will or if the estate consists of any shareholdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have the information.
Dealing with the sale of or transfer of any property is not included

What Our Clients Say

Why choose PHH Solicitors to manage your Will and Estate?

PHH Solicitors have over 30 years’ experience of advising and completing wills and probate for clients of all ages and circumstances.

By choosing PHH Solicitors to prepare your will and administer your estate, you can be assured that it will be a tailored to your most exacting needs and wishes by an experienced solicitor.