Through the following Probate case studies, we address a number of potential scenarios and the costs associated with these estates. It’s important to remember that every estate is different and, therefore, the fees detailed here are only indicative of what you might expect.

The cost will depend on the time taken to complete the engagement, as fees are calculated based on hourly rates. The applicable rates will be advised during any initial meeting/s.

The Executors of an Estate not requiring an Inheritance Tax form IHT400 provide GH Probate Limited with all the information required for us to calculate the value and composition of the Estate and apply for and obtain the Grant of Probate.

Estimated fee: £900 to £1,400. This depends on the number of assets / executors involved and quality of the information provided.

The Executors of an Estate provide GH Probate Limited with all the information required for us to calculate the value and composition of the Estate, not requiring an Inheritance Tax form IHT400, and apply for and obtain the Grant of Probate. In addition to this we collect in the assets of the Estate, pay the Estate debts and distribute the Estate to the beneficiaries, as per the Will.

Estimated fee: £1,400 to £2,500. This depends on the number of assets there are to collect in and the number of beneficiaries to distribute to.

The Executors of an Estate provide GH Probate Limited with all the information required for us to prepare the Full HMRC Inheritance Tax form IHT400 and related schedules, to calculate the Inheritance Tax payable (if any), and to apply for and obtain the Grant of Probate.

Simple Estate – Estimated fee: £1,400 (a single property and a few bank accounts and National Savings, essentially a simple estate where this type of application is required to claim the residence nil rate band and or transferrable residence nil rate band).

Complex Estate – Estimated fee: £2,200 (with a number of investments, properties and pensions etc.).

The Executors of an Estate provide GH Probate Limited with all the information required for us to prepare the Full HMRC Inheritance Tax form IHT400 and related schedules, to calculate the Inheritance Tax payable (if any), and to apply for and obtain the Grant of Probate.

In addition to this we collect in the assets of the Estate, pay the Estate debts and distribute the Estate to the beneficiaries, as per the Will.

Simple Estate – Estimated fee: £2,200 (a single property and a few bank accounts and National Savings).

Complex Estate – Estimated fee: £4,000 – £6,000 (a number of investments, bank accounts, properties and pensions etc.).

The Executors of an Estate provide GH Probate Limited with as much paperwork as they can find but require GH Probate Limited to obtain from third parties details of the assets and liabilities as at the date of death to enable us to calculate the value and composition of the Estate and apply for and obtain the Grant of Probate only, as a full Inheritance Tax form IHT400 is not required. In addition to this we collect in the assets of the Estate, pay the Estate debts and distribute the Estate to the beneficiaries, as per the Will.

Simple Estate – Estimated fee: £2,200 (a single property and a few bank accounts and National Savings).

Complex Estate – Estimated fee: £4,000 (a number of investments, bank accounts, properties and pensions etc.).

The Executors of an Estate provide GH Probate Limited with as much paperwork as they can find but require GH probate Limited to obtain from third parties details of the assets and liabilities as at the date of death to enable us to prepare the Full HMRC Inheritance Tax form IHT400 and related schedules, to calculate the Inheritance Tax payable (if any), and to apply for and obtain the Grant of Probate.. In addition to this we collect in the assets of the Estate, pay the Estate debts and distribute the Estate to the beneficiaries, as per the Will.

Simple Estate – Estimated fee: £3,200 (a single property and a few bank accounts and National Savings).

Complex Estate – Estimated fee: £7,000 (a number of investments, bank accounts, properties and pensions etc.).

All of the above fees can vary, if the Executors have not provided GH Probate Limited with all the required information to prepare the necessary IHT form and apply for Probate, in which case GH Probate Limited will obtain the information on behalf of the Estate. This would be quoted for separately depending on the size of the Estate.

The number of assets held by an Estate, the number of beneficiaries and an executors decision to request additional services at any time, can also have a bearing on the estimated fee in all four of the scenarios described above.

Examples of Estates GH Probate Limited have Administered

  1. We have acted on behalf of the Executor of the Estate where the Estate only consisted of his deceased wife’s 50% share of their property and three bank accounts. Probate was only needed as one of the bank accounts was held in the deceased’s sole name and the Building Society asked for Probate. The remaining two accounts and the property passed to the spouse by survivorship.
  2. We have acted on behalf of the Executor of an Estate whereby there have been a large number of investments, bank accounts and pension policies held by the Estate. We prepared the Full Inheritance Tax form IHT400 and related schedules and obtained the Grant of Probate. We went on to collect in and distribute the assets of the Estate in accordance with the Will and to submit a fall in value claim with HMRC to obtain an Inheritance Tax Refund.
  3. We have prepared an Estate which included a large number of investments both in the UK and overseas. We have obtained the value for these investments and prepared complex Inheritance Tax Calculations in respect of the Estate.
  4. We have dealt with a number of Estates where a charity / charities are the beneficiary / beneficiaries of a large proportion of the Estate. We have managed the Estates and provided the information required to the charities.
  5. We have dealt with many Estates whereby Probate has been required following the death of a son or daughter’s second parent. These Estates mostly consist of a property, a few bank accounts and maybe an investment or Premium Bonds. We have prepared the necessary IHT form and where applicable claimed and calculated the nil rate band transfer and the residence and double residence nil rate band if applicable. For some of these Estates we have gone on to collect in and distribute the assets, whilst for others we have just obtained the Grant of Probate and then passed the Estate over to the Executor to collect in and distribute.

Our Probate service is provided through GH Probate Limited. For more information about our services please contact us or email us at probate@georgehay.co.uk.

GH Probate is the trading style of GH Probate Limited. Registered in England and Wales number 9630102. Registered Office: St George’s House, George Street, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 3GH.

Authorised to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

To read more about the terms of our probate engagements, click here.