No one can see into the future, but Wills, Trust and Probate provide a means of preparing for what lies ahead. It can be a great relief to know that your intentions will be carried out and that you have the means to support yourself and your family in years to come.
The specialist private client solicitors at Pickup and Scott are here to explain the process and offer specialist advice on legal matters that relate to your enquiry. We also offer practical support and can guide you through the legal documentation.
We offer Will, Trust and Probate appointments at our Aylesbury office in Bourbon Street. This is conveniently located for easy access to car parks, as well as the bus and train station. If you are unable to come to us, home visits are also available.
We have now been joined by Mrs Jennifer Bleby who will be working part time on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. She can advise on wills, powers of attorney and probate matters.
Services on Offer:
Estate Planning
Our team can advise on estate planning to minimise the impact of inheritance tax payments, care fees and family disputes. We can also assist with the legal processes for insolvent estates.
Trust Funds
Setting up a Trust Fund can be an effective means of setting aside and protecting specific assets. We can advise on how trusts can ensure that your legacy is given as intended.
If you decide this is the best way to proceed, we can support the administration and management of trusts.
Will Writing
If you have children, own property or have possessions with financial or sentimental value, a Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes for them will be carried out.
Probate – Fees and Hourly Rates
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets
We anticipate this will take between 5 and 15 hours work at £160 per hour. Total costs estimated at £800 – £2400 (+VAT).
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 handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:
- There is a valid will
- There is no more than one property
- There are no more than 6 bank or building society accounts
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are 1-4 beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
- There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
- There are no claims made against the estate
Disbursements included in this fee:
- Probate application fee of £155 + 50p per extra sealed copy
- £5 Swearing of the oath (per executor)
- Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£1 per beneficiary)
- £62.15 + VAT Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors
- £185 + VAT Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.
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.
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 50p (1 per asset usually).
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
How long will this take?
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 4-6 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 4-12 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-6 weeks.