Probate

We can advise you what to do when a loved one passes away

When a loved one passes away you may need to apply for the legal right to deal with their property, money, and possessions (their estate), by applying for probate. If the person has left a will, you will receive a “grant of probate”. If the person did not leave a will (intestate), you will receive a “grant of letters of administration”.

The estate will then need to be administered. This means dealing with all the assets (such as property, personal possessions, shares), any bank accounts, paying any liabilities, including inheritance tax and income tax and finally distributing the remaining assets to the estate’s beneficiaries.

As accountants, we are already very well qualified and experienced in dealing with IHT tax calculations, completing, and filing tax forms and are often in the best position to assist.

At a time of bereavement, we can advise you what to do when a family member or loved one passes away, whether they have left a will or not.

As part of our probate service, we will deal sympathetically and efficiently with applying for a grant of probate and the administration of the estate, relieving you of the worry and responsibilities.

We offer a free, no obligation initial conversation to discuss your requirements and the likely cost of our fees.

Griffiths Marshall (Probate) Ltd is licensed by the Institute of Chartered accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales.

Four of our Partners can provide this service, namely Ian Price, Chris Bourne, Steve Humphries, and Greg Lewis.

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Our Services

  • We offer 2 fixed fee options based on the value of the estate, where we only apply for the grant of probate and you administer the estate yourself.*
  • We offer an hourly rate option for our full probate service which includes applying for the grant of probate and the administration of the estate.*

*We reserve the right to review the fixed fee or hourly rate should circumstances out of our control come into play. We will be open, transparent, and timely with our conversations with you regarding this.

How long will it take?

This will depend on the complexities of each case; however, most estates are settled within 6 to 9 months. It typically takes 10-12 weeks to obtain the grant of probate and the remainder of the time to administer the estate. Timescales are often dependant on third parties such as the Probate Office and Financial Institutions.

Applying for a grant of probate – example of a typical fixed fee

We can help you through this difficult time, by obtaining the grant for you. We can complete and submit the probate application form and the relevant inheritance tax form*. We would ask that you provide us with all the relevant information, and you would be responsible for the collection of any assets, the payment of any liabilities and inheritance tax due and finally distributing the assets for the estate.

* We will determine the relevant tax form based on the value and content of the estate.

How much does this service cost-

Option A – completion of the Probate Application form and Legal Statement

£960 inc VAT

£273 for the probate court fees (subject to change)

£1,233 Total

Option B - completion of the Probate Application form, Legal Statement and IHT400

£2,160 inc VAT

£273 for the probate court fees (subject to change)

£2,433 Total

For this fixed fee price, we will: -

  • Provide a dedicated partner to take responsibility of your requirement
  • Complete the probate application form and relevant IHT forms
  • Prepare the probate forms for you to sign
  • Complete the Legal Statement
  • Apply to Probate Registry for the grant
  • Receive the Grant of Probate and send to you

Disbursements** (additional costs) are not included in our fixed fee pricing and would be payable by yourselves added to the fees above.

Full probate service, including applying for a grant and the administration of the estate

Under this service, we will apply for the grant by completing the probate application form and the relevant inheritance tax form*. We will also take responsibility for the collection of any assets, the payment of any liabilities and inheritance tax due and finally distributing the assets for the estate.

*We will determine the relevant tax form based on the value and content of the estate.

What will we do: -

  • Provide a dedicated partner to take responsibility of your requirements
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Identify the type of probate application you will need
  • Identify the assets and liabilities of the estate
  • Obtain the relevant documents required to make the probate application
  • Complete the probate application and relevant IHT forms
  • Prepare the probate forms for you to sign
  • Complete the Legal Statement
  • Apply to Probate Registry for the grant
  • Receive the Grant of Probate and send to you
  • Arrange for the payment of any inheritance tax
  • Collect the estate assets
  • Pay all known debts and liabilities of the estate
  • Pay legacies
  • Ensure all income tax matters are settled with HMRC
  • Prepare estate accounts
  • Distribute the residuary estate

As each estate will be different, prices are charged depending on the time spent by the partner at a rate of £192 inc VAT per hour***, plus the probate court fee, currently f £273.

We estimate that it would typically take between 12 – 25 hours to complete this work.

Typically, our fees could therefore be between £2,304 - £4,800 inc VAT plus probate court fees and disbursements**

*** Where some work is completed by a manager or assistant, the charge out rate will be reduced accordingly, and we will make this clear to you.

A straightforward estate would be one where there: -

  • is a valid will
  • are no more than one residential property
  • are no more than 3 bank or building society accounts
  • are no other assets
  • are no more than 3 beneficiaries
  • are no disputes between the beneficiaries on the distribution of the assets
  • is no inheritance tax due and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
  • are no claims made against the estate
  • If there is no will, multiple properties and bank/building society account and assets such as stocks and bonds, there will be additional costs, which we can advise you on once we have reviewed all the information.

    **Disbursements

    Through to the course of our appointment by you, we may incur additional costs payable by yourselves such as travel, accommodation, and other expenses.

    Other costs may be payable to a third party and could include: -

    • Copies of additional death certificates if required £11 in England and Wales
    • Copies of additional grants if required £1.50 each
    • Notices in local newspapers which protects against unexpected claims c£100
    • Notice in the London Gazette which protects against unexpected claims c£100
    • Property valuation, if there is a property to be sold or transferred c£400 on average, will be based on location and size of property

    Service Levels

    If you would like to provide any feedback on our services, we would love to hear from you. Or if you would like to discuss how our service could be improved, or if you are dissatisfied with the service you are receiving, please let us know by contacting Mr Ian Price (ianprice@griffithsmarshall.co.uk) or Mr Chris Bourne (chrisbourne@griffithsmarshall.co.uk).We undertake to investigate any complaint carefully and promptly and do all we can to explain the position to you.

    If we do not answer your complaint to your satisfaction you may of course take up the matter with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, by contacting them at www.icaew.com/compliants . If required, we can also provide you with the details of how and when you can make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman and advise you of an Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) provider, should the need arise.

    Regulatory Information

    Griffiths Marshall (Probate) Ltd is licensed by the Institute of Chartered accountants in England and Wales to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales. We have professional indemnity insurance (PII) and if required, clients are also able to make a claim through the ICAEW Probate Compensation scheme.

    Company Number: 08431084

    Registered Office: Beaumont House, 172 Southgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2EZ

    Place of Incorporation: England and Wales

    icaew-probate-logo.jpg

    Company Number: 08431084
    Registered Office: Beaumont House, 172 Southgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2EZ
    Place of Incorporation: England and Wales