Wills, Trust & Probate Fees | Howells Solicitors
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Wills, Trust & Probate Fees

Wills, Trust & Probate Solicitors based in Sheffield, Barnsley & Rotherham

Our friendly Wills, Trust and Probate Solicitors can guide you through the process of a range of Wills, Trusts and Probate services to protect your family’s future and give you peace of mind if the worse was to happen.

 

Howells Solicitors has one of the most highly regarded Wills, Trust and Probate teams in South Yorkshire, with a track record of outstanding service and client feedback. We rank as one of the top law firms in South Yorkshire for Wills, Trusts and Probate on reviewsolicitors. We also rank as one of the top law firms for Estate Planning  Solicitors on the Three Best Rated website.

Probate and Estate Administration Fees

Obtaining a Grant in an estate that does not have any Inheritance Tax to pay

This information about the costs is for an estate where:

  • There is a valid Will
  • There is no more than one property
  • There are no more than 3 banks or building society accounts
  • There are no other intangible assets
  • There are between 1-3 beneficiaries
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If a dispute arises it is likely to lead to an increase in costs
  • There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a detailed account to HMRC
  • There are no claims against the estate
  • The estate does not include a business, farms, farmhouses or farmland, an interest in another estate, loans or mortgages payable to the deceased, foreign assets, assets held in trust, National Heritage assets or unlisted stocks and shares and control holdings.

Breakdown of fees

  • Between £850.00 + VAT (£170.00) = Total: £1020.00, up to £950.00 + VAT (£190.00) = Total: £1,140.00.

Total costs between £1020.00 and £1,140.00 (inc VAT)

  • A court fee of £300.00 (for estates that are valued at more than £5,000.00)
  • Plus £1.50 per additional sealed copy of the grant you request

The total fee for this service is between £1,320.00 and £1,440.00 (inc VAT) plus £1.50 per additional copy of the grant you request.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter.  For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end. We will provide you with an estimate of our costs during the initial meeting

What does the fee include?

  • Meeting with you to discuss your requirements
  • Provide a named and dedicated probate solicitor or experienced professional to work on your matter
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Advising you regarding the terms of the Will or the estate distribution on Intestacy (where the deceased did not have a Will)
  • Providing advice and information to you regarding your responsibilities as a Personal Representative
  • Accurately identify the type of probate application that you require
  • Obtain and draft the relevant probate and  Inheritance Tax forms  you require
  • Make the application to the probate registry to apply for a grant; and
  • Sending you the original grant and any additional copies you have ordered.

What is not included in the fee?

  • Preparing any application to transfer the Nil Rate Band or Residential Nil Rate Band
  • Administering the estate
  • Dealing with any disputes between the beneficiaries
  • Responding to any challenges brought against the estate
  • Our costs for selling any property
  • Obtaining the date of death values of the assets and liabilities
  • Tracing any unknown assets;
  • Tracing any missing beneficiaries
  • DWP enquiries
  • Resolving any trust issues that may arise
  • Preparing estate accounts

Obtaining a Grant in an estate where there is inheritance tax to pay

This information about the costs is for estate where:

  • There is a valid Will
  • There is no more than one property
  • There are no more than 3 banks or building society accounts
  • There are no other intangible assets
  • There are between 1-3 beneficiaries
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If a dispute arises it is likely to lead to an increase in costs
  • There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a detailed account to HMRC
  • There are no claims against the estate
  • The estate does not include; a business, farms, farmhouses or farmland, an interest in another estate, loans or mortgages payable to the deceased, foreign assets, assets held in trust, National Heritage assets or unlisted stocks and shares in control holdings.

Breakdown of Fees

  • £1800.00 + VAT (£360.00) = Total: £2,160.00 (inc VAT).Plus a court fee of £300.00
  • Plus £1.50 per additional copy of the grant you request

The total fee for this service is £2,460.00 (inc VAT) plus £1.50 per additional copy of the grant you request.

What Does the Fee Include?

  • Meeting with you to discuss your requirements
  • Provide a named and dedicated probate solicitor or experienced professional to work on your matter
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Advising you regarding the terms of the Will or the estate distribution on Intestacy (where the deceased did not have a Will)
  • Providing advice and information to you regarding your responsibilities as a Personal Representative
  • Accurately identify the type of probate application that you require
  • Obtain and draft the relevant probate and Inheritance Tax forms  you require
  • make the application to the probate registry to apply for a grant; and
  • Sending you the original grant and any additional copies you have ordered.

What is Not Included in the Fee?

  • Preparing any application to transfer the Nil Rate Band or Residential Nil Rate Band
    • Dealing with any disputes between the beneficiaries
    • Responding to any challenges brought against the estate
    • Our costs for selling any property
    • Tracing any unknown assets
    • Tracing any missing Beneficiaries
    • DWP enquiries
    • Resolving any trust issues that may arise
    • Dealing with any property that was owned outside of England and Wales
      • Administering the estate
      • Dealing with any disputes between the Beneficiaries
      • Responding to any challenges brought against the estate
      • Our costs for selling any property
      • Obtaining the date of death values of the assets and liabilities
      • Tracing any unknown assets
      • Tracing any missing Beneficiaries
      • DWP enquiries; and
      • Resolving any trust issues that may arise.
      • The payment of any tax – this will have to be funded by other means.

      Administration of an Estate

      This information about the costs is for estate where:

      • There is a valid Will
      • There is no more than one property
      • There are no more than 3 banks or building society accounts
      • There are no other intangible assets
      • There are between 1-3 beneficiaries
      • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on the division of assets. If a dispute arises it is likely to lead to an increase in costs
      • There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a detailed account to HMRC
      • There are no claims against the estate
      • The estate does not include a business, farms, farmhouses or farmland, an interest in another estate, loans or mortgages payable to the deceased, foreign assets, assets held in trust, National Heritage assets or unlisted stocks and shares in control holdings.

      When you instruct us, we will send a letter to you setting out the basis upon which we will charge our fees.

      Breakdown of Fees

      This work usually takes between 15 and 20 hours work at between £134.00 + VAT (£26.80) = Total: £160.80, to £272.00 per hour +VAT (£54.40) = Total: £326.40

      Total costs between £160.80 and £326.40 (inc VAT) per hour. The range of hourly rates applied will vary according to the seniority and qualifications of the people handling the probate.

      The fees could usually, therefore, be between £2,010.00 + VAT (£402.00) = Total: £2,412.00, and £5,440.00 + VAT (£1,088.00) = Total: £6,528.00.

      There will also be the costs of any third party payments (disbursements) (see below).

      The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

      We will look at the facts of each case to be able to decide what is the most appropriate funding arrangement and agree this with you at the start of the matter.

      Possible Disbursements

      Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

      • Probate application fee of £300.00 (on estates that are valued at more than £5,000) plus £1.50 for each additional sealed copy
      • Bankruptcy – Land Charges Department searches £2.00 + VAT (£0.40) = Total: £2.40 per beneficiary
      • Post in the London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors – approximately £90.00+ VAT (£18.00) = Total: £108.00
      • Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims. This price will depend upon the location and the exact amount will be confirmed with you.
      • Unclaimed Asset Register search – starting from £155.00 + VAT (£31.00) = Total: £186.00
      • Beneficiary Identity Check – £24.00 + VAT (£4.80) = Total: £28.80 per beneficiary

      All of the following factors are likely to increase the costs estimated above:

      • If there is no will
      • If the estate consists of any shareholdings
      • If the deceased had any interest in trust during their lifetime
      • If the estate includes foreign property
      • If the estate includes more than one property
      • If the deceased made lifetime gifts which need to be reported to HM Revenue & Customs
      • The estate is insolvent
      • Where there is a requirement to ensure that all matters relating to income tax, capital gains tax, state benefits and pensions are sorted out and to ensure that HM Revenue & Customs files are closed
      • Where the deceased had an interest in a business or farm
      • Where there are more than 3 beneficiaries
      • If there are any legal disputes
      • Where income tax returns to the date of death need to be filed
      • The clearing of a house
      • Arranging for insurance for a house and contents
      • Where it is necessary to claim reliefs and exemptions e.g. transferable nil rate bands, residence nil rate bands, business property relief, agricultural property relief, spouse and charity exemptions
      • Valuation of assets
      • Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included. We can assist with this and a quote can be provided where necessary.

      What is Included?

      • Meeting with you to discuss your requirements
      • Advising you regarding the terms of the Will or the estate distribution on Intestacy (where the deceased did not have a Will).
      • Providing advice and information to you regarding your responsibilities as a Personal Representative
      • Obtaining valuations of the assets and liabilities in the estate
      • Drafting the Inheritance Tax form and witness statement and sending it to you to sign or meeting with you to explain the contents
      • Submitting the IHT forms to HMRC
      • Dealing with any income tax that is payable or eligible for a refund
      • Sending the documents to the probate registry to apply for a grant
      • Encashing the assets and paying any liabilities out of estate funds
      • Preparing estate accounts
      • Contacting all beneficiaries to advise about their inheritance and carry out bankruptcy searches
      • Distribute the estate; and
      • Sending you the original grant and any additional copies you have ordered.

What is Not Included?

    • Dealing with any disputes between the beneficiaries
    • Responding to any challenges brought against the estate
    • Our costs for selling any property
    • Tracing any unknown assets
    • Tracing any missing Beneficiaries
    • DWP enquiries
    • Resolving any trust issues that may arise
    • Dealing with any property that was owned outside of England and Wales

Time Scales

Estates can be complex files to deal with which can include unexpected problems, disputes between beneficiaries and personal representatives, tax issues, and business interests, for example.

Estates which are relatively simple to deal with e.g. there is a valid Will, there is no more than one property and 4 bank accounts, no more than 3 beneficiaries who are identifiable and living in England and Wales, no dispute between the beneficiaries, there is no inheritance tax to pay and no claims against the estate, then we would ordinarily expect the case to last between 6 and 12 months.

In cases where there are complicating factors and inheritance tax to pay some cases can last up to 24 months.  When we meet with you and have obtained the information we require, we will be able to provide you with more information as to the likely timescale it will take to complete your file.

 

Will Writing Fees

Our Wills, Trust and Probate Solicitors can make, amend or review a Will, and we offer both single Wills and Mirror (joint) Wills.

Please contact us on 0114 2743 481 to obtain details of our fees.

Included in the fee is;

  • An initial appointment to discuss your requirements
  • Advice regarding your options
  • Drafting your Will and sending it to you to consider
  • Meeting with you again to sign your Wills or sending it to you for you to make your own arrangements to sign it.
  • Providing you with a signed copy of your Will; and
  • Storing the original on your behalf.
  • Time scales for Will drafting
  • After we have received complete information from you we aim to draft your Will and send it to you to consider within 7 days.  After you have approved your Will, we will then arrange another appointment with you to sign your Will.  Most Wills are usually completed and signed within a few weeks.

 

Lasting Powers of Attorney Fees

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (“LPA”). It is possible to make either one or both types – it is your choice.

Please contact us on 0114 2743 481 to obtain details of our Lasting Power of Attorney Fees.

Included in the fee is:

  • An initial appointment to discuss your requirements;
  • Advice regarding your options;
  • Drafting your LPA’s;
  • Meeting with you again to go through them and signing the documents;
  • Acting as your certificate provider (if we are unable to do this, we will advise you of the options available to you);
  • Liaising with your attorneys to provide them with advice regarding the natures of their role and asking them to sign the documents;
  • Liaising with the Office of the Public Guardian to register the documents;
  • Providing you with two certified copies of each LPA; and
  • Storing the original documents if you wish.
  • As with Wills, if we feel that a capacity report from a doctor is necessary we can obtain a doctor’s report and will advise you of the doctor’s fees which will be in addition to our fees.

 

Court of Protection Fees

Please contact us on 0114 2743 481 to obtain details of our Court of Protection Fees.

What Does the Fee Include?

What Does the Fee Include?

  • An initial appointment to discuss your requirements;
  • Advice regarding your options;
  • Drafting your LPA’s;
  • Meeting with you again to go through them and signing the documents;
  • Acting as your certificate provider (if we are unable to do this, we will advise you of the options available to you);
  • Liaising with your attorneys to provide them with advice regarding the natures of their role and asking them to sign the documents;
  • Liaising with the Office of the Public Guardian to register the documents;
  • Providing you with two certified copies of each LPA; and
  • Storing the original documents if you wish.
  • As with Wills, if we feel that a capacity report from a doctor is necessary we can obtain a doctor’s report and will advise you of the doctor’s fees which will be in addition to our fees.

 

 

How can we help? Contact us today

Contact us on 0114 2743 481 and one of our advisors will be in touch to discuss your situation. We will take some initial information and if we can help, we will book you in for a consultation with a legal professional.

Contact our team

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The Howells Solicitors law team are compassionate, down-to-earth and professional, offering you the best expert advice. Get in touch with solicitors in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley to see how we can help. Fill in the form or give us a call at:

The Wills, Trust & Probate Team

Our team is highly knowledgeable and experienced in all areas of Wills and Probate. They are passionate about helping people take control of their affairs and ensuring rights and wishes are upheld. The team will put you at your ease immediately – while their professionalism and eye for detail will have you leaving relaxed and reassured.

We can meet with you personally in the comfort of our offices in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley. If you are physically unable to attend any of our offices, a home visit can be arranged.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2496666 to book your appointment today.

Lindsey Rawson

0114 249 6672
Melodie Shelton-Heath

0114 249 66 66
Louise Tissington

0114 249 6692
Kerry Green

0114 249 6766