Fees

This section gives you more of an understanding of the fees you may be required to pay should you choose to instruct Hodgkinsons Solicitors to assist with a Probate matter which is an uncontested case where all assets are within the UK. 

We want to provide you with all the necessary information you need to be able to make an informed decision about who your legal representatives will be. Our Wills and Probate Department charge both hourly rates and fixed fees for Probate matters and fees are dependent on the size and nature of the Estate. Please see the table below which sets out our fee brackets for the Uncontested Probate services we provide.

The above table demonstrates our standard costs however these fees, such as the Full Administration Probate Fee, are subject to change due to several reasons such as the size and nature of the Estate in question. Hodgkinsons Solicitors have the right to raise additional fees in addition to your fixed legal fees should one or more of these factors come to light.

The above fees do not include the following disbursements however they will be included in your quote.

Disbursements are the fees that are paid to third parties such as the Court, Councils, other Solicitors and other third parties.

We have highlighted all the costs that are reasonably expected to be included in your quote, however, there are several factors which alter the quote during the course of a transaction such as the size and nature of the Estate and if any complex issues arise.

What services are included in the displayed Probate fees and how long will it take? ​

The process which your Solicitor will undertake when dealing with a Full Administration Probate is as follows:

1. Supplying copies of the Will to interested parties (and if no Will, assessing who is entitled);
2. Notifying Beneficiaries and creditors of the death;
3. Obtaining full details of assets and liabilities and lifetime gifts;
4. Completing and having signed the Executors' or Administrators Oath and HM Revenue & Customs Account;
5. (where appropriate) Arranging a Bank loan to pay Inheritance Tax (IHT);
6. Lodging the HM Revenue & Customs account and Oath and collecting the Grant;
7. Registering in all appropriate quarters;
8. Realising assets to repay the Bank loan and meet cash requirements;
9. Placing statutory advertisements for Beneficiaries/Creditors;
10. Paying debts and legacies and obtaining receipts;
11. Making distributions on account of residue;
12. Submitting corrective accounts for IHT, agreeing the final liability and obtaining a Certificate of Discharge;
13. Completing Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax Returns and issuing Certificates of Deduction of Tax;
14. Preparing and circulating Accounts;
15. Making final distributions and obtaining receipts.

The process which your Solicitor will undertake when dealing with a Grant Only is as follows:

1. Obtaining full details of assets and liabilities and lifetime gifts;
2. Completing and having signed the Executors' or Administrators Oath and HM Revenue & Customs Account;
3. Lodging the HM Revenue & Customs account and Oath and collecting the Grant.

Our Team are always happy to give timescales on the anticipated completion of your matter but will do so on a bespoke basis as each transaction can be different due to the size and nature of the Estate involved. It can take up to 12 – 15 months to complete a Full Administration Probate matter accounting for all of the tasks outlined above, however, each matter varies if complex issues arise. The timescale involved with a Grant Only matter is approximately 8 weeks, accounting for all of the tasks outlined above. 

If you would like more information about the experience and qualifications of our Wills & Probate Team who will carry out your work, please visit the personal profiles of:

• Travan Chandler - Wills & Probate Paralegal 

All work carried out by trainees or other unqualified members of staff will be supervised by a senior/qualified Lawyer. The cost for unqualified members of staff does not include the cost of the senior member of staff reviewing the work before it is completed​.

If you would like more information on our Probate services or you would like to speak to a member of our Team regarding making or amending your Will, call 01754  897150 and they will be happy to assist you. For more information on the various Wills & Probate services we provide visit http://www.hodgkinsons.co.uk/wills-and-probate. Our Team handle a variety of matters for individuals throughout Skegness, Boston, Sleaford, Lincoln, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and rural Lincolnshire. If you would like us to call you, please fill out a contact form.