Probate Services Fees

We offer expert help in dealing with all aspects of Estate Administration, for as much or as little work as you would like us to do. In all cases, the pricing will reflect the complexity and amount of work involved. Any fees/costs or disbursements (charges payable to third parties for their services) which are subject to VAT at the current rate of 20% are listed as such.

The most popular options are:

  1. A “Grant Only” service, for those Executors or Personal Representatives who can handle all the necessary fact-finding but need expertise in preparing the Grant of Probate applications and the Inheritance Tax Return of Estate Information.
    1. For obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf but there is no requirement to file a full IHT Return (Return of Estate Information only) and there is no post-Grant work required, we charge £1,000.00 + VAT and the following Disbursements (expenses paid to third parties):
      1. Executors Oath Swear – £10.00 plus £5.00 per exhibit, i.e. the Will and any Codicils (per Executor, no VAT)
      2. Probate Registry Fee – £155.00 (no VAT) if the value of the Estate is £5,000.00 or over – there’s no fee if the Estate is under £5,000.00
      3. Additional copies of the Grant of Probate – 50p per copy (no VAT)
      4. Post in the local newspaper – £59.85 (plus VAT)
      5. Post in the London Gazette – £69.50 (plus VAT)
    2. For obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf and filing an IHT Return and there is no post-Grant work required, we charge from £2,500.00 + VAT and the Disbursements (expenses payable to third parties) as listed above.
  2. Full Administration Service, where we handle everything from start to finish.

For this service we charge from £2,500.00 + VAT with no upper limit until we have assessed the size and complexity of the Estate.

We do not charge an additional percentage fee based upon the value of the Estate.

Every estate is different, which is why we encourage you to Contact Us so we can provide you with an estimate outlining a range of potential fees to make sure that you get the right amount of support to meet your individual circumstances. We will update you regularly on your costs throughout the matter so you can stay in control throughout.

Matter Set-up Fee
At the start of your matter, we shall ask you for an initial payment in the sum of £80.00 plus VAT at 20% (so a total of £96.00). This is to allow for the work required in conducting the initial risk assessment, opening the file and setting the matter up on our Case Management System, carrying out the required due diligence and anti-money laundering checks.

This sum is in addition to the costs information set out above and is non-refundable.

Value Added Tax (VAT)
We are registered for VAT under VAT Registration No: 400 604 555. Our fees are therefore subject to VAT at the current rate of 20%.

Examples of other expenses subject to VAT at the current rate are listed above and a full breakdown would be given in our client care letter and throughout the course of your matter once this information became available.

Stages
Our Full Administration Service will include:

The Legal Work
Pre-Grant:

Checking the will is valid

Advising on inheritance tax (IHT) on the estate and tax reliefs which might be available

Where there is no will, checking the intestacy rules to identify beneficiaries and determine who is entitled to administer the estate

Explaining any trusts in the will

Preparing the papers to apply for the probate

Applying for and obtaining the Grant of Probate

Post-Grant:

Placing all statutory adverts to cover claims against the estate

Dealing with creditors’ claims against the estate

Protecting the executors from future claims

The Tax work
Pre-Grant:

Completing the compulsory HMRC returns relating to inheritance tax; IHT 400 for taxable estates and IHT205 where there is no inheritance tax

Finalising income tax returns

Finalising capital gains tax (if necessary)

Claiming available exemptions and reliefs and transferable allowances

Calculating inheritance tax and arranging to pay tax from the estate.

The Administration Work
Pre-Grant:

Valuing all assets and collecting them in

Post-Grant:

Paying funeral costs from estate funds

Contacting executors and beneficiaries, and regularly updating them during the estate administration

Contacting asset holding companies and corresponding with them during the estate administration

Paying debts and liabilities from the estate

Preparing estate accounts showing the executors and beneficiaries all monies passing in and out of the estate

Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries

The Land/Property Work
Pre-Grant:

Recommending suitable locksmiths and house clearance agents

Checking building and contents insurance is in place

Post-Grant:

Transferring ownership to joint owners (where held as joint tenants)

Transferring ownership to beneficiaries (additional fees apply)

Recommending estate agents for marketing and sale of any property

Appointing one of our specialist residential conveyancing lawyers to deal with the legal side of the sale (additional fees apply)

Additional Work
Pre or Post-Grant:

Varying the will for better tax advantages or to maximise welfare benefits

Dealing with claims against the estate or challenges to the will

Our service does not include:

  • providing advice in relation to foreign assets, however we are able to co-ordinate advice with professional advisers in other jurisdictions in relation to assets held abroad but only to the extent specifically agreed in writing between us (which may incur an additional cost);
  • providing advice in relation to dealing with actual claims made against the estate, or contentious matters in dealing with the administration of the estate – these would be a separate matter, however we are able to co-ordinate with other professional advisers on how this impacts the administration of the estate but only to the extent specifically agreed in writing between us (which may incur an additional cost)

The following factors are likely to increase the cost of your matter:

  • not having all of the paperwork available, or having missing or incorrect information that needs investigation and correction
  • third parties not responding to our communications promptly
  • dealing with unusual or complex assets or items (for example: fine art; timeshares; shares in private companies etc)

As soon as any complications arise we will discuss these with you and agree the fee for the additional work being carried out in advance of any additional work being undertaken

We have set out some points to consider should you find yourself dealing with the administration of an Estate. Please click here for more information.

Useful Links

HMRC Inheritance Tax Calculator

HMRC Inheritance Tax Interest Calculator

Legal Choices
An organisation who explain the Probate Process

Peter Redmond is the Managing Director of Kings Solicitors, appointed in February 2025.

With nearly a decade of legal practice at respected firms such as Hine Solicitors, Coffin Mew (now Knights plc) and Dutton Gregory. Peter brings deep expertise in conveyancing and property law. He also serves as the Managing Director of Clutton Cox, a specialist conveyancing firm in based just outside Bristol.

Peter’s leadership is defined by a strategic focus on client care, operational excellence, as well as rapid but sustained growth. Calm under pressure and resolutely outcomes-driven, he remains actively involved in the day-to-day management of the firm, ensuring Kings Solicitors delivers a consistently high standard of legal service.

“We are delighted to announce that effective 2nd July 2026, the established local brand Clutton Cox is officially joining the Kings - Solicitors Limited family, operating as a dedicated local trading name of the firm.

For years, Clutton Cox has built a wonderful reputation as a trusted, specialist conveyancing practice. By bringing the Clutton Cox name under the wider Kings Solicitors regulatory and operational umbrella, we are combining deep local heritage with the strength, advanced systems and support of a rapidly growing regional practice.

If you currently have an ongoing property transaction with Clutton Cox, absolutely nothing changes regarding the day-to-day handling of your move.

Your team remains the same: You will continue to deal with the exact same dedicated conveyancers you know and trust.

Zero disruption: Your file continues seamlessly without interruption.

Local presence: The local brand presence, contact numbers, and friendly high-street service remain exactly where they are.

Complete security: All legal services and client funds are fully ring-fenced and protected under the single, robust regulatory umbrella of Kings – Solicitors Limited (regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority).

Expanding our local offering: Introducing Wills, Probate & LPAs

While specialist conveyancing remains at the absolute core of the Clutton Cox name, this integration gives us the immediate capacity to grow. We are pleased to announce that we are actively expanding the Chipping Sodbury branch to introduce a dedicated Private Client offering and moving forward, existing and new clients will be able to access specialist advice on Wills, Probate, and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) directly through their trusted local hub – filling a much-needed gap for comprehensive family estate planning in the local area.

Stronger together

By integrating our teams, we have removed capacity barriers and ensured our staff have the extended support they need to deliver an exceptional, stress-free service.

Whether we are helping you buy your first home, move up the property ladder, or protect your family’s future assets, our combined practice is stronger, more flexible, and better equipped than ever to serve you.

We want to thank all of our clients, local estate agency partners, and professional contacts for their continued trust, and we look forward to working with you in this exciting next chapter.”