OUR FEES

We offer a fixed fee for applications for Grant of Probate which is limited by the amount of assets in the estate. The price below details what is included and what limitations there are for the service. The Grant of Probate services include the completion and submission of forms for the Grant of Probate.

Non-Taxable Estates

£950 plus VAT £190 = £1,140

Includes:

Application for Grant of Probate

This fee allows for the following to be included in the estate:

2 Properties

12 bank/Building Society Account

Intangible assets such as shareholdings

Does not include:

Asset valuations or obtaining asset valuations, or collecting in or distributing the estate

Grant of Probate and Estate Administration

The below is an estimate for attaining a Grant of Probate as well as administering an estate. Our fees are calculated on any hourly rate and as estimated cost for this service is provided below, based on a typical case.

Estimated costs

£4,500 plus VAT £900 = £5,400

To

£5,500 plus VAT £1,100 = £6,600

Hourly Rate: £250

Estimated hours: 18-22

Plus Disbursements (charged separately): £200 - £400

Estimated timescale: 6 – 9 months

Includes:

Preparation and Submission of Inheritance Tax forms for the estate

The preparation and submission of the application for the Grant of Probate

Gathering the estate’s assets

Distributing those assets to up to 12 Beneficiaries of the estate

Discharging any liabilities

The administration of the estate

The estimate is based on a service which includes us dealing with 2 properties, twelve bank/building society accounts, as well as intangible assets such as stocks and shares. This would apply where we would be distributing assets to up to twelve beneficiaries.

On cases involving particular complexity or requiring specialist expertise an additional charge may be made to that calculated on the basis of time spent.  This value element reflects the importance of the transaction and the consequent responsibility falling on the firm.  Therefore we will also charge 1% of the gross value of the estate (excluding any residence in which the deceased resided).  Where a value element is added we will be happy to explain the calculation to you.  In relation to this estate we would anticipate that there will/will not be a value element.

There may be additional tax due on this matter which would be separate to the estimated cost. 

For additional information on Inheritance Tax please visit the gov.uk website:

gov.uk/inheritance-tax

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to third party services which we pay on your behalf. We have not included the following disbursements in the above prices which may be charged in addition to the above fee. We price these based on the cost these services are charged to us:

Probate Application Fee: £273

Plus £1.50 per additional official copy of the Grant required.

AML Search: £7.20 per person

Bankruptcy Search: £2 per person

Bank Transfer fee £40 plus VAT £8 = £48

trustees Act Notice Varies

Fees for Last Will and Testament

Single Will £200 plus VAT £40 = £240

Mirrored Wills £320 plus VAT £64 = £384

Mirrored Wills with Severance of joint tenancy

with right of occupation clause £500 plus VAT £100 = £600

Fees for Lasting Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Attorney

Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney £400 plus VAT £80 = £480

Plus Registration fee for the Public Guardianship office £82

Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney £400 plus VAT £80 = £480

Plus Registration fee for the Public Guardianship office £82

Lasting Power of Attorney for Married, Cohabiting or Civil Partnerships couples at the same time

£600 plus VAT £120 = £720

Plus Registration fee for the Public Guardianship office £164

MEET THE TEAM

MICHAEL GREENWAY

Senior Partner, B.A.
Qualified: 1980

Mike is the firm’s senior conveyancing and probate partner and has been practising in the Borough for over forty years. He is a Graduate of the University of the West of England but went to school locally and lives in Bridgend with his family. He is based at our Porthcawl Office and undertakes residential conveyancing and advises on Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection applications and equity release mortgages. Mike has been a member and officer of the Lions Club of Bridgend for many years and has for a good deal of the time advised the Lions Organisation nationally on legal matters.

mATTHEW CARR

Partner, LL.B
Qualified: 2007

Originally from Essex, Matthew Carr made South Wales his home in 2022.  He joined Whittinghams in May 2023 and became partner following Howard Jones retirement in October 2023.  His practice includes all aspects of Private Client law including Wills, Court of Protection matters, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate matters.

Matthew excels in simplifying complex legal matters, ensuring a smooth experience for clients dealing with estate planning and probate issues. He offers practical solutions without the jargon, providing personalised support tailored to your needs.

In his spare time Matthew trains and teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Our process

probate

STAGE 1

Valuing the Estate

At this stage we will go through the deceased’s papers and bank statements to establish their assets and liabilities. This can be quite straightforward, however in some cases there may be multiple investments, properties and other personal belongings to consider.

At this stage we may need to contact banks, lenders, fund managers, pension providers, the local government, the DWP and HMRC.

STAGE 2

File Inheritance Tax Forms

Regardless of whether inheritance tax must be paid, inheritance tax forms may have to be completed. For taxable estates a full return must be completed. For non-taxable estates where a return is not needed we will still need to determine all of the values in the estate. Whittinghams will complete the related forms as well as any additional schedules to establish the amount of tax payable.

STAGE 3

Pay Inheritance Tax

If there is inheritance tax payable on the estate then it must be paid prior to obtaining the grant of probate. Funds can be transferred directly from one of the deceased’s accounts for this if there are sufficient funds.

STAGE 4

File Probate Forms

One we have assessed the size of the estate we will be able to complete the probate application form by applying to the Probate Registry. The Executors will need to sign a statement of truth at this stage to confirm that the details of the application are correct.

STAGE 5

Pay Probate Fees

At this stage we will pay the applicable probate fees on your behalf. These are fixed regardless of the size of the estate and are detailed above in the disbursements section.

STAGE 6

Administer the Estate

We will collect in the assets of the estate, discharge the liabilities and subsequently distribute the estate in accordance with the Will or Intestacy rules.