Probate Solicitors
Dealing with an Estate is often challenging especially when you are also dealing with the loss of a loved one. It can seem that there is endless paperwork, and difficult tax and legal paperwork to complete. Traditional solicitors often charge high fees at hourly rate or set fees at a rate determined on the value of an estate. Here at Family Legal that goes against our ethos. We understand that dealing with a deceased estate is one of the more difficult challenges in life.
So, let us help you by:
- Interpreting the Will so you understand clearly what it means
- Advising executors and trustees in regard to their duties
- Applying for Probate of the Will
- Dealing with intestacy (where there is no Will)
- Organising information for estate tax returns
- Contesting wills and defending estate litigation
Our Fees
1. Grant Only -no inheritance tax
To keep legal fees down We often help people on "a grant only basis."
This means that we will:-
1. Meet with you and carry out a fact find of what is involved in the estate.
2. Read through the will with you and help you to understand it
3. If there is no will we will advise who can apply for a grant
4. We will advise you of the process and what steps to take, and we will help complete all of the necessary legal and tax paperwork to enable a grant of probate to be obtained.(This is on the basis that you are providing all the information)
5. Once the grant has been obtained (usually 16 weeks from submission of the paperwork to the Probate Registry)we will forward this to you and we then leave it to you to deal with distributing the estate.
In most cases in straightforward estates where there is no inheritance tax to pay we can carry out the service for a fee of £1000 plus court fees of £303.00- total £1303, plus £1.50 for each additional copy of the grant. (no vat is added to our charges as we are not vat registered)
One we have all the information from you we will help you apply for a grant - most grants can be obtained within 16 weeks.
2. If there is Inheritance Tax to pay /full tax form is needed
The process and timescales are the same as above.
If the estate is large and there is inheritance tax to pay, or where there is a full tax form required because assets are numerous (You are providing all the information) then we will carry out the service usually for a fixed fee of £1500 plus court fees of £303 -total £1803 plus £1.50 for each additional copy of the grant
(no vat is added to our charges as we are not vat registered)
(please note that if the assets are complex involving businesses, agricultural or foreign assets a bespoke quote will be provided once we have reviewed your specific situation)
In both cases these fees are on the basis;-
i. You provide identification documents for you and any other executor.
ii. You let us have an original death certificate
iii. You provide us the original will and there are no questions relating to it's validity
iv. You provide a schedule of assets and liabilities which sets out the values and how they are owned, either at the initial meeting or shortly afterwards
v. You provide details of all gifts made 7 years proceeding death, including the date and the person who received the gift. This should be provided in a schedule at the meeting or shortly afterwards.
vi. The deceased was domiciled in Wales or England
vii. There are no foreign aspects.
viii. There are no disputes.
3. We can also offer bespoke help on a pay-as-you-go basis at £300 per hour (no vat is added to these ratesd as we are not vat registered)
If your affairs are particularly complex and do not fall into the above categories we will always endeavour to provide you with a fixed price the work would we have discussed your individual circumstances.