• Higher value estates worth over £1m

• Lifetime gifts

• Claims to transfer Inheritance Tax Nil Rate Band

• or Residence Nil Rate Band

• Business or agricultural property

• Multiple properties

• Multiple beneficiaries or missing beneficiaries

• Charitable beneficiaries

• Multiple bank accounts or shareholdings

• Operating or selling a business

• Private company shares

• Assets abroad

• Assets of a specialist nature i.e. fine art

• Complex tax issues including taxable estates

• An unclear Will

• Property issues i.e. missing title deeds

• Arranging/involvement with clearing property and preparing for sale

• Transfer of investments and other assets to beneficiaries

• Deeds of Variation, disclaimer or renunciation of executor

• DWP investigations or claims against the estate

• Engagement in litigation or a contested or disputed estate

• Any other duties of an unusual or complex nature

• A specialist solicitor dealing with your case

• Meetings with you

• Probate valuation of investments (not including property valuations, chattels valuations for jewellery and fine art etc or share valuations which may incur a separate charge - see disbursements)

• Preparing the probate application and any inheritance tax forms

• Postage and telephone costs as well as all correspondence received and sent out

• Arranging statutory notices

• Closing accounts, arranging the sale or transfer of investments and assets

• Arranging for income tax affairs to be dealt with.

• Preparation of Estate accounts to evidence the distribution of the estate.

• Distributing the Estate to beneficiaries

All fees quoted above are exclusive of disbursements, expenses and third party costs incurred e.g. estate agents, valuation fees and conveyancing costs, which will be charged in addition to the fees quoted above. The regular disbursements that may arise on the administration of an estate include but are not limited to the following:

• Land Registry Office Copies - £3 plus VAT@20% per title

• Bankruptcy charges - £2 plus VAT@20% per beneficiary

• Statutory Notices Fee - £200 - £250 (approx)

• Dormant Asset Search Fee - £135 plus VAT@20%

• Probate Court Fee (payable to HM Courts & Tribunal Services) - £300 plus £1.50 for each official copy of the grant required

• If required we will charge a fee of up to £15.00 plus VAT for each check to verify your identity.

Our fees do not include:

• Accountants Fees - this may be required if estate tax returns are needed for the estate administration period. For more information on estate tax returns and the necessary forms you can visit https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/returns-for-someone-who-has-died

• Conveyancing Fees on sale of a property - this can however be dealt with by our conveyancing department and it can be cost effective and quicker to have everything dealt with "under one roof". Please click here to obtain a quote for a property sale or transfer

• Estate Agents Fees - these would be agreed with whichever estate agent is instructed to deal with any property sale For a full case specific estimate please contact us to discuss the specifics of your probate and administration of the estate needs.

Timescales will depend on the complexity of the Estate. In probate matters, it can take up to 6 months before probate is granted and it can be at least a further 6 months before the estate is finalised. Sometimes there are complications and the matter can become more protracted but we would seek to keep you updated with any unexpected delays in dealing with the administration. If appropriate we would make interim distributions prior to the administration being completed.