Wills and Probate Costs
Private Client Fees
Valid from 1 March 2026
Wills
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Probate and Estate Administration
Probate FAQs
Will there be any disbursements in probate cases?
There can be Probate Registry fees depending on the value of the estate.
- Probate Registry fee (estates valued at over £5,000) – £300 (no VAT).
- Probate Registry fee (estates valued at or under £5,000) – no fee.
- Extra copies – £16 each.
What services will you provide when dealing with my Probate matter?
Every case is approached individually but services can include:
- Registering the death and arranging the funeral (if requested).
- Establishing who is entitled as a beneficiary of the estate and locating missing beneficiaries.
- Identifying and administering the assets of the estate until they can be sold or distributed to the relevant beneficiaries.
- Dealing with any outstanding debts or liabilities of the deceased.
- Preparing and filing the necessary IHT tax returns with HM Revenue & Customs.
- Applying for Grants of Probate/Letters of Administration.
- Distributing the estate and accounting to each beneficiary.
How long does Probate take?
The timeframe of every case is different. However, our fee earners will give you a time estimate at the start of the matter and continue to update you as the matter progresses. Please note the following key stages:
- Every estate is different and can take a different length of time to administer depending on the size, complexity, whether IHT is payable, how quickly estate assets and liabilities are identified, the selling of properties, tracing beneficiaries, etc.
- Once an application for Grant of Probate/ Letters of Administration is submitted to the Probate Registry the current turnaround period is a minimum of 16 weeks.
- Gathering in the assets of an estate and tracing beneficiaries can vary greatly depending on the size and nature of the assets of the estate and the information we are provided with as to any beneficiaries. Several months would be a very swift period to identify all relevant factors in a Probate matter (after the Grant) and it can take several years. Rest assured; our fee earners will continue to provide you with a time estimate specific to your case throughout your matter.