Wills, Trusts and Probate Services
HM & Co. Solicitors legal team in wills, trusts and probate services will help you safeguard your financial assets and ensure your family is provided for.
The importance of making a Will is crucial in these days of financial uncertainty and the confusing legal environment we are living in today. We always take into consideration your personal financial circumstances, family commitments and the possible implications of taxation and in particular, inheritance tax.
Our Wills, Trust and Probate services includes specialist knowledge and experience in all areas of wills, trusts, inheritance tax, estate planning, probate and estate administration, disputes and lasting powers of attorney, and business succession planning.
Below are details for the likely costs of our Wills transactions: which is exclusive of VAT
Wills
Basic will – £150
Mirror wills – £250
More complex wills – time recorded @ £175-£230 per hour – totalling an average of between £250-£750
Details of what our costs include and the services provided
Wills - providing Inheritance Tax advice (if required), drafting the will, arranging for its signature and registering the existence of the Will at a National wills bank called Certainty.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)
An LPA is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone that you trust as an ‘attorney’ to make decisions on your behalf. Attorneys can make decisions for you when you no longer wish to or when you lack the mental capacity to do so.
You can appoint the attorney to make decisions about your welfare, money and/or property. It can be used at any time or restricted to when you are not able to make your own decisions due to mental incapacity.
Below are details for the likely costs of our Wills transactions:
Property & Financial Affairs or Health & Welfare LPA
£300 & disbursements (£82 registration Fee)
Both Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare LPA
£450 & disbursements (£82 registration fee)
Pair of LPA’s for a Couple
£500 & disbursements (£82 registration fee)
Both a Property & Financial Affairs LPA and Health & Welfare LPA for a Couple
£650 & disbursements (£82 registration fee)
Home visits are available for an additional charge, depending on location, number of visits and if a single or a couple application.
Our Probate and Estate Administration Service
The prospect of dealing with a deceased’s estate can be daunting, especially at what is often a very difficult time and many people worry about the costs involved in seeking legal advice and assistance
Our work in this area can vary considerably depending on the complexity of the situation and the amount of work that we are required to do. Our Private Client Team have the experience and skill to guide and support you through the estate administration process and we offer a range of capped price services which vary depending upon the intricacy of the matter and the amount of support needed to suit individual circumstances.
Obtaining a grant of representation in England and Wales *(excluding VAT) -
Obtaining a Grant (IHT205) £950 - £3000
Obtaining a Grant (IHT400) £2500 - £6000
Bespoke services and hourly rates
Where the nature of the estate administration cannot be covered by one of our capped price services, we would be pleased to offer you an hourly rate service. We will agree with you the work which we will be undertaking on your behalf, we will provide you with a cost estimate at the outset and update you regularly on your costs so you can stay in control.
Administration of estate -
Our fees for the administration of an estate range between 1.5% to 4% of the gross value of the estate depending on the complexity of your case and your location. You would be informed of any increase to our estimated fees prior to us carrying out any further work.
1-4% of Gross Estate (minimum fee £2500 - £10,000)
plus hourly rate (£160 - £325)
Breakdown of costs:
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.
Disbursements (£351 in total):
- Probate court fee: £155 (plus £15 for 10 copies);
- Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department Searches: £3 per beneficiary;
- Post in The London Gazette: £71.00, which protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors;
- Post in a Local Newspaper: £110, which also helps to protect against unexpected claims.
What services are included?
- Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter;
- Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries;
- Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require;
- Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application;
- Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms;
- Draft a statement of truth;
- Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf;
- Obtain the Probate and securely send two copies to you;
- Collect and distribute all assets in the estate.
How long will this take?
Each case is individual and can differ in the time it takes to settle. On average, it may be between 6-12months
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets
How much does this service cost?
Our fees for the administration of an estate range between 1.5% to 4% of the gross value of the estate depending on the complexity of your case and your location
Our hourly rates range from £160 to £325 plus VAT depending on the complexity of your case, the experience of the lawyer and your location.
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter.
Please contact us for a quote tailored to your circumstances.
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.
Disbursements included in this fee:
- Probate application fee: £155;
- Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department Searches: £2 per beneficiary;
- Post in The London Gazette: £71.00, which protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors;
- Post in a Local Newspaper: £110, which also helps to protect against unexpected claims.
Potential additional costs
- If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
- If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 (1 per asset usually).
- Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
How long will this take?
Each case is individual and can differ in the time it takes to settle. On average, it may be between 6-12 months