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Probate (Non-Contentious Matters)
We handle straightforward (non-contentious) probate matters on a fixed-fee or percentage basis depending on complexity.
Fees
| Service Type | Fee Basis | Our Fee (Excl. VAT) | VAT (20%) | Notes |
| Basic Probate Application | Fixed Fee | £4,500 | £900 | No property involved |
| Probate with Property (IHT205) | Percentage | 1.5% of gross estate | +VAT | Standard estate |
| Probate with IHT400 (Complex) | Percentage | 2.5% of gross estate | + VAT | omplex estates/HMRC IHT400 |
Disbursements
- Probate application fee: at least £300 (government fee, click here for more info)
- Office copies: £1.50 each
- Bankruptcy searches: £15 + VAT per beneficiary
What's included
- Reviewing and verifying estate docuemntation
- Preparing and filing IHT forms
- Applyinh got Grant of Probate
- Preparing estate accounts
What's not included
- Complex valuations and foreign assets
- Trust creation or estate planning work
- Property sales
We do not handle contentious probate matters.
Key Stages & Typical Timescales
| Stage | Description | Typical Duration |
| Instruction | Collection of client and estate details | 1-2 weeks |
| IHT form preparation | HMRC submission | 4-8 weeks |
| Grant of Probate issued | HMCTS processing | 6-12 weeks |
| Closure | Final estate accounts (if required) | 2 weeks |
Typical total timeframe: 3-6 months depending on estate complexity
All probate matters will be handled by the principal Mr M A Cooper.
Disbursements and VAT
All disbursement fees are quoted exclusive of VAT unless otherwise indicated.
VAT will be charged at the standard rate applicable at the time of the service (currently 20%).
We will always provide a detailed cost estimate and obtain approval before incurring any third-party charges on your behalf.
Timescales and Updates
All timeframes listed are estimates only. We will keep you regularly updated on progress and any changes due to third-party delays (e.g. HMRC).
Complaints and Regulatory Information
We will consider carefully any complaint that you may make about our probate services as soon as we receive it and will do all we can to resolve the issue. We will acknowledge your complaint within five business days of its receipt and endeavour to deal with it within 8 weeks. Any complaint should be submitted to us by letter.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, please contact Mr M A Cooper in the first instance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If we do not deal with your complaint within this timescale or you are unhappy with the response we give you, you may of course take the matter up with our professional body the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (click here for details) and the Legal Ombudsman (www.legalombudsman.org.uk). Complaints to the Legal Ombudsman should be made within one year of the act or omission, or within one year of you becoming aware of the issue, and in either case within six months of our written response to your complaint to us. The contact details for the Legal Ombudsman are:
Letter:The Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone: 0300 555 0333
Other Matters
We have professional indemnity insurance in place in accordance with the requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
In the unlikely event that we cannot meet our liabilities to you, you may be able to seek a grant from ICAEW’s Compensation Scheme. Generally, applications for a grant must be made to ICAEW within 12 months of the time you become aware, or reasonably ought to have been aware of the loss. Further information about the scheme and the circumstances in which grants may be made is available on ICAEW’s website: www.icaew.com/probate.
