Our Probate Services
When a person dies, it is necessary for someone to deal with their estate by realising their assets, paying off any debts, and distributing what is left in accordance with the deceased’s Will (if one has been made), or in accordance with the rules of Intestacy if there is no valid Will.
ACS Solicitors specialist Probate Department are able to offer comprehensive, practical advice to family and friends following the death of a loved one.
Our team recognises the difficulties imposed upon Executors and Administrators and our conscientious, efficient approach allows for appropriate advice to be given in order that an estate can be wound up quickly.
Our Probate Department can deal with all aspects of an estate, from handling full administration matters to simply dealing with certain areas of an estate alongside an executor or administrator who needs advice or assistance on a certain point of law.
If you do require advice, please feel free to contact our Probate Department who will be happy to assist. Please note an initial consultation will be free of charge (max 30 mins)
Our fees are payable when the grant is issued, and you will then be able to attend to estate assets. If you wish, we can assist in dealings with the asset holders, or indeed provide a full administration service – see below.
Grant of Probate
Provided there is a valid will, the executor(s) are willing and able to act, the estate information is to hand (bank balances, property value etc) and there are no contentious matters then our fee at present would be £1,195.00 plus VAT, a total of £1,434.00. In addition would be the court service application fees as noted above.
Letters of Administration (Intestacy)
It is estimated around 40% of adults do not leave a will or die ‘intestate’. In such cases and if a grant is required, the application is made for ‘Letters of Administration’. The applicant is normally the closest living ‘blood’ relative, and there is a strict formula as to how the estate must be distributed. Provided there is a suitable relative willing and able to act, the estate information is to hand (bank balances, property value etc) and there are no contentious matters then our fee at present would be £1,395.00 plus VAT, a total of £1,674.00. In addition would be the court service application fees as noted above.
Letters of Administration with Will
It can be the case there is a valid will, however the executor(s) are unavailable or unable to act. This might be for various reasons such as they have predeceased, renounced the role, or if a professional executor they have ceased trading. In such cases the will is still ‘submitted to proof’ as it would be for probate, and the estate is still distributed in accordance with the provisions of the will, however the applicant would normally be a named beneficiary. Provided there are no contentious issues, our fees are the same as for Letters of Administration: £1,395.00 plus VAT, a total of £1,674.00. In addition would be the court service application fees as noted above.
Additional services: Estate Administration
In addition to ‘just’ obtaining the grant, we offer administration services on a bespoke basis. This might be to attend to one or two assets only, whilst you attend to all other matters, or it might be full administration including dealing with all parties involved be they beneficiaries, banks, share registrars, Inheritance Tax, property utilities and insurances. If you would like an estimate of the costs for administration services please contact us and we will establish the nature and assets of the estate, the tasks and likely attendance required and provide a clear guide figure. For the avoidance of doubt, we do not charge our probate clients a percentage of the estate value, and our property conveyancing services are based on a fixed fee structure.
Contact Us
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