Alderson Law

Probate and Administration Pricing

Probate and Administration Pricing

When close ones pass away it is always upsetting and an unhappy time for all involved.

The legal processes are often confusing and overwhelming particularly whilst dealing with grief.

The Law can be confusing and may overwhelm when already dealing with the grief.

We can help you through these difficult times.

We can provide a range of services to help you through this difficult time:-

DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SERVICE

APPLICATION FOR PROBATE (WHERE THERE IS A WILL)

A Grant of Probate is required often to allow the Estate of the deceased person to be collected and distributed to those entitled to the deceased’s assets. The Grant of Probate is a document issued by the Probate Registry to allow the Executors to administer the Estate.
You may wish to limit your instructions to us applying for the Grant of Probate only.

How much does this cost?

Our fixed fee process will usually be between £750  to £1250 plus VAT (£900 to £1500 inc VAT) plus disbursements depending on the complexity of the matter.

These estimates depend upon you providing us with the following information and documentation:-

  1. The original valid Will;
  2. At least 2 property valuations in respect of any properties in the estate;
  3. Valuations as a the date of death of all assets including Bank and Building Society accounts;
  4. Details of any liabilities including funeral costs;
  5. An original Death Certificate

The price also assumes that:-

  1. There are no disputes between the Beneficiaries or the Executors;
  2. There is no inheritance tax payable https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax/inheritance-tax

A tax return has to be made whatever the value of the Estate if probate is applied for.

  1. There are no claims to be made or likely to be made against the Estate;
  2. There are no additional issues or complexities requiring the completion of a longer form of tax return known as an IHT400
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inheritance-tax-inheritance-tax-account-iht400

How long will this work take?

It is difficult to give a precise time estimate. We would hope to complete an application for a Grant of Probate with the above information and with no complications within 3-6 months if not sooner. We are dependent on processing times by the Probate Registry.

APPLICATION FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION (WHERE THERE IS NO WILL)

If someone dies without leaving a valid Will the process to allow the family to administer the Estate is very similar to a probate application (see above). This process is known as an application, again to the Probate Registry for Letters of Administration. We will advise you on who is entitled to apply for grant of Letters of Administration.

How much does this service cost?

The cost and time period involved in making an application for Letters of Administration are usually the same as making an application for a Grant of Probate.

The fees would be the same or similar to those set out above and dependent on provision by you of the same information.

On occasion commonly when you are unable to provide the information and documentation referred to above or where there are other complications our costs will be likely to exceed the fixed fee set out above. On these occasions we will discuss matters fully with you and advise you regarding the full extent of our fees before you decide whether you wish to proceed.

ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATE

You may need or want us to administer the Estate which will mean that we will need to carry out significantly more work that simply applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration as described above. This work may include:-

  • Registration of death;
  • Making funeral arrangements;
  • Valuing estate assets;
  • Identifying estate liabilities;
  • Calculating any inheritance tax due from the estate https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax/inheritance-tax
  • Completion of estate tax return;
  • Applying for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration;
  • Realisation of assets;
  • Arranging for discharge of inheritance tax due;
  • Settling liabilities of the estate;
  • Publishing statutory notices;
  • Identifying/tracing beneficiaries;
  • Bankruptcy searches;
  • Preparing and agreeing estate accounts;
  • Distributing the estate.

How much does this service cost?

Our costs are time based. Most of our Probate work is undertaken by our Partners and Senior Solicitors whose charging rates are £220 and £200 per hour plus VAT (£264 and £240 inc VAT) respectively. If the estate is complex or we are appointed to act as Executors or if there is a property to sell then we may charge an additional percentage to the estate. We will discuss this with you at the time of your instructions.

We will agree the precise percentage fixed fee to be charged as soon as we have all of the information required to establish the nature and composition of the Estate and will advise you of any disbursements to be incurred.

Factors which will be taken into account in determining the percentage fixed fee will include:-

  1. Whether the estate is taxable;
  2. Whether the estate includes properties;
  3. Whether there is a stocks and shares portfolio;
  4. Where the extent of the assets is wide and variable;
  5. Where there is foreign property;
  6. If beneficiaries are missing or have to be traced;
  7. Where there are numerous beneficiaries (particularly where there is no Will);
  8. Where there are or are likely to be claims on the estate

The disbursements involved in the estate administration may include:-

  1.  Oath fees;
  2. Court fees;
  3. Valuers fees;
  4. Experts fees;
  5. Enquiry agent fees in tracing missing beneficiaries;

How long will the Estate Administration take?

It is difficult to be precise regarding timescales when administering an estate. This is often affected by the involvement of third parties such as HMRC, Banks and Building Societies, Stock Brokers, Estate Agents and valuers.

On average it takes no less than 6 months to complete the work. Often it can take over 12 months. We will provide you with an initial time estimate at the commencement of work and advise you as the mater proceeds should any factor(s) impact upon this time estimate.

WHO WILL CARRY OUT THE WORK?

Our team of lawyers provide a personal service. They have considerable experience and expertise in dealing with Wills, Probate and Estate administration. The team is headed by one of our Partners Tracey Murray, Head of Probate Department and includes Fiona Grogan who is a Senior Solicitor.

Tracey Murray
Tracey Murray is a Solicitor and Partner in the Firm. Tracey is a Graduate of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and has been qualified as a Solicitor since 1997.

Fiona Grogan
Fiona is a specialist private client lawyer providing advice and assistance with wills, trusts, tax planning, probate & estate administration, lasting powers of attorney, court of protection and elderly client work.

Contact Us

Telephone Blyth:

01670 352293

Telephone Morpeth:

01670 519714

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SRA number 402010

Alderson Law LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales under company number OC307338.
Registered office: Pethgate House, Castle Square, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1YL

Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA ID number 402010.

ICO No. Z729984X

FCA No. LS 596109

Equality & Diversity Survey

Mary was born and has lived all her life in the North East of England. Her first interest was science and she originally studied Biomedical Science at Northumbria and worked in the scientific research field and the NHS, before studying part time, again at Northumbria University, to obtain her degree in Law. Since then she has enjoyed a varied career covering many different areas of law, before specialising in Children Law, which she has done almost exclusively for the past 5 years.

Mary loves reading and history and at a weekend can often be found at one of the many historical sites the North East has to offer and has even been known to play video games when she can find the time.

Chris was originally a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives from 1997 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2001.

He has over 25 years experience in private client work comprising Wills, Trusts, Probate, Powers of Attorney and other Court of Protection Work such as Deputyship applications. Chris has been a Partner in several firms in the North East, being Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate.

He brings a wealth of experience to his role and works closely with clients, providing them with a service tailored to their needs

Susan was born and bred in the North East, spending all of her working life in Blyth. She qualified in 1981 and, after some years at Alderson Law, began to specialise in family law, covering both private and legal aid. Susan was a member of the Law Society Family Panel and an accredited Resolution specialist, specialising particularly in private children law and domestic violence.

Susan took part-retirement in December 2018 but still works as a Solicitor here at Alderson Law. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, walking, reading, and spending time with her family. She has also been a Brownie leader for over 40 years.

Originally from East Yorkshire, Jasmine moved to the North East in 2012 to study at Northumbria University undertaking the M Law Exempting (BPTC) course (the only undergraduate course in England and Wales which incorporates the Bar Professional Training Course), graduating in 2016 with a First Class Honours and a Very Competent in the Bar Professional Training Course. Prior to joining Alderson Law Jasmine specialised in RTA Fraud in a Personal Injury firm, before moving to another firm to work as a Family Law Paralegal.

In 2018 she joined our team as a Family Law Paralegal and before qualifying as a Solicitor within the Family Law Department based at our Morpeth office. Jasmine represents clients in a wide range of matters including; divorce and matrimonial finance, disputes regarding the arrangements for children as well as parents who are subject to Local Authority involvement both before and during Court proceedings.

In her spare time Jasmine likes visiting the beach, going to the gym, watching live music and looking after her pet rabbit.

Julie is a highly experienced property solicitor. She studied Law at Northumbria University and, after qualifying in 2000, went on to work at national and international firms prior to joining the team at Alderson Law in 2017. She works alongside her clients, advising on residential and commercial property development, property investment, portfolio management, property finance, landlord and tenant, easements and restrictive covenants.

Fiona is a specialist private client lawyer providing advice and assistance with wills, trusts, tax planning, probate & estate administration, lasting powers of attorney, court of protection and elderly client work. Having previously worked with a number of Newcastle-based firms listed in The Legal 500, Fiona brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. She is a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), the association for specialists in family inheritance and succession planning.

Fiona grew up in Northern Ireland and studied law at Durham University, and has remained in the North East ever since. She enjoys spending time with her family at their cottage in Northumberland.

Mark Hipkin, partner at Alderson Law LLP, has been advising businesses and claimants since he qualified as a solicitor in 1982.

Mark’s passion is for representing claimants on two wheels in complex, serious and catastrophic motorcycle, scooter and cycle injuries, but he also has extensive experience of acting for claimants in many other personal injury areas including occupiers and public liability work and accidents at work. He specialises in challenging and complex cases. Mark always puts the client first, looking from the first day of instruction to obtain the best and fairest outcome for a claimant, no matter how long a case may take. He is a fan of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and early neutral valuation as alternatives to litigation. Sometimes, however, litigation is the best option, together with the necessary drive to see every matter through to a fair conclusion.

Mark also, having started his own business, advises business clients, often with motorcycle-, scooter- or cycle-related businesses and also deals with complex commercial disputes, professional negligence cases, and general civil litigation.

Mark likes to spend what free time he has with his family and practising Tai Chi and Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate – in which he is a second Dan).

Having worked in family law for over 25 years, Julie is a highly accomplished specialist in her field. She has a vast body of experience in dealing with family law, from divorce and related financial issues to complex child-related cases. Julie was the first person in North Tyneside to achieve the status of an accredited advanced family law specialist, and is a member of the Law Society Advanced Family Panel, which demonstrates her experience in complex contested family cases and other subject-specific matters.

Though multi-talented and highly experienced, Julie’s particular speciality is in complex ancillary relief (financial settlement) claims and complex residence and contact disputes.

In her spare time Julie enjoys relaxing and spending time with her family and three grandchildren. She attends clients at our Whitley Bay and Blyth offices.

Tracey is one of our Partners and qualified as a solicitor in 1997. Throughout her career she has had a varied caseload undertaking matters in most areas of civil and private client law. Tracey can assist clients in a wide range of matters including: Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney, Debt Recovery, Residential and Commercial Conveyancing as well as Licensing and Landlord and Tenant matters.

Tracey is one of our most senior practitioners with over 20 years of local experience, having graduated from both Newcastle University and Northumbria University. When not in the office she enjoys walking, cycling, and cooking with her family.