Private Client Overview

Private Client

Multi-generational families, entrepreneurs and business professionals, and high profile individuals from the worlds of broadcasting, the arts and sport. Our private clients come from all over UK. Some live overseas. All value our advice at key moments in their lives. When buying or selling a home, or starting or ending a marriage or civil partnership. When making a will, aiming to reduce inheritance or personal tax burdens, and protecting assets for future generations. Or dealing with disputes over probate, trusts, employment or property. In fact, such is our commitment to understanding them well that they tend to stay with us – and recommend us to their friends.

For Business

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Corporate

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Residential Property

Private Client

Specialisms

Guiding You Through the Probate Process

Dealing with the death of a loved one is challenging, and the legal and financial responsibilities that follow can feel overwhelming. Obtaining a Grant of Probate and administering an estate often involves complex procedures and strict time limits.

Our approachable and experienced Probate team can guide you through every stage of the process, providing clear advice and practical support at a difficult time. Whether you require full estate administration or help with specific aspects, we tailor our service to your needs.

We can assist with everything from identifying and valuing estate assets to preparing and submitting probate documentation and Inheritance Tax accounts. We also liaise with HM Revenue & Customs where required and ensure that the estate is administered efficiently and accurately.

Work Scope

Applying for Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration
Preparation and submission of Inheritance Tax accounts
Correspondence and negotiation with HM Revenue & Customs
Collecting and administering estate assets
Preparing estate accounts
Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules

Pricing

Obtaining a Grant of Probate from the Court and dealing with the subsequent administration of an estate can be a challenging experience at an emotionally difficult time and our experienced and friendly team will be able to assist you with the Probate process and provide you with the support you need.

Our Probate Team can offer the following choices in connection with the administration of an estate:

Obtaining a Grant of Representation for you
This is where you provide us with all the relevant information that is required which will enable us to obtain the Grant of Representation in cases where there is no inheritance tax to be paid. You will then be able to deal with the ongoing administration of the estate after the grant has been issued. There is a fixed fee of £2,500 (plus VAT at 20%) for this service (where no complications arise). The time frame for this will range from 8 weeks to 16 weeks.
Providing a Probate Support Service
You choose which aspects of the estate you wish to deal with and those which you would like us to handle. Our fees for this service are charged on a time basis and full details will be provided when instructions are received.
Full Estate Administration
Our full estate administration service entails us in dealing with all aspects of the administration of the estate ie ascertaining a schedule of the assets and liabilities, preparing the papers leading to the application for the Grant of Representation (and obtaining the Grant), liaising with HM Revenue and Customs where inheritance tax has to be paid, general administration of the estate (post Grant), the distribution of the estate funds to the beneficiaries including preparation of Estate Accounts.

Our charges for this work typically range from between £3,500 and £20,000 (plus VAT at 20%). In complex estates our costs may exceed this. However in all cases a quote will be given at the outset providing our best estimation of fees for dealing with the administration of the estate. The time taken to administer an estate can be any time from four months to several years.

Our Probate Manager Katherine Wilkins would be pleased to have an initial telephone discussion with you (free of charge) to discuss your needs and to decide on next steps.

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Disbursements

Possible disbursements that may apply to your matter:
Probate Court Fee: £315 (no VAT chargeable)
Mail Direction: £76 (no VAT chargeable)
Statutory Notices: £525 (inclusive of VAT at 20%)
Postage and sundries: £10 (plus VAT at 20%)

Our hourly rates range from £425 (plus VAT at 20%) at Partner level to £149 (plus VAT at 20%) at Paralegal level. All estate work is supervised by Bibi Fortin Lees who is the Head of the Private Client Department.

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