Probate, Wills & Trusts

It is all about end-of-life plans.   

Just because it is essential to have such plans, it does not make it easier to talk about them.    

However, the conversation can become more bearable if you think you’d be easing what could have been a hefty burden on your loved ones. And Robertsons Solicitors are here to help you navigate.

Simply having a Will may not be enough.   The Wills, Probate and Trusts division of Robertsons Solicitors has been helping people for years with comprehensive estate plans that protect their wishes and safeguard their legacies.   Let us help you organize your affairs to ensure financial security, not only for you but also for your heirs.

We believe in keeping things simple. Yes, probate issues can be complicated, but we will help you with clear, straightforward, and wise advice and support as we plan for the future.   Contact us for your specialist legal advice concerning Wills, Power of Attorney, Estate and Probate planning.

Welsh Rugby International Ellis Jenkins on planning for the future

At Robertsons, we take immense pride in the wealth of experience and expertise that our Probate department possesses. Our team of dedicated professionals has accumulated years of knowledge and skills in the field of probate, making us a trusted and reliable partner for all your probate-related needs.

Our commitment to excellence is evident in the extensive backgrounds and qualifications of our team members. Each member of our Probate department has undergone rigorous training and education to ensure that they are well-equipped to handle even the most complex probate matters. They stay up-to-date with the latest legal developments and have a deep understanding of the ever-evolving probate laws and regulations.

Dealing with probate and estate administration can be complex and time consuming.  We can help you through this process by obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration on your behalf. We can also undertake the collecting and distributing of assets in the estate in accordance with the will or rules of intestacy.

How much does this service cost?

Our prices are based on property and assets in the UK.

We charge a fixed fee of 1.5% of the gross value of the estate subject to a minimum fee of £1,500 plus VAT (Total: £1,800) and disbursements.

VAT is currently at the rate of 20%.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.  Some disbursements incur VAT. Common disbursements associated with estate administration are:

  • Probate Registry fee of £273 plus £1.50 per copy;
  • Bankruptcy only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary);
  • Placing statutory notices in the London Gazette and a local newspaper - £250;
  • Estate Research Lost/Unclaimed Asset Search - £195 + VAT (Total: £234)

As part of our fee we will:

  • Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate practitioner to work on your matter;
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries;
  • Accurately identify the type of application you will require;
  • Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application;
  • Prepare and complete the application and the relevant HMRC forms;
  • Make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf;
  • Obtain the Grant of Representation and send copies to you;
  • Collect and distribute all assets in the estate.

Timescale

On average, estates  are dealt with within  9-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes  16-20 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take 4-8 weeks. Once this is complete, we can distribute the assets to beneficiaries, which normally take 3-4 weeks. Selling a property in an estate may increase the timescales dependent on how long the sale process takes.

There are times where additional assets or liabilities are identified in an estate, in which case, we reserve the right to revise our fee if necessary. Any fee adjustments will be discussed with you before they are incurred.

Please note the example fee does not include the following:

  • Preparing and filing tax returns for the administration period and to date of death;
  • Dealing with foreign assets;
  • Dealing with domicile status and complications;
  • Administering and setting up trusts;
  • Claims made by the Department of Work and Pensions;
  • Resolving conflicts between beneficiaries and/or executors;
  • Insolvent estates;
  • The preparation of Deeds of Variation;
  • Locating missing wills/beneficiaries; and
  • Conveyancing fees in respect of the transfer or sale of the deceased’s property.

In circumstances where the personal representatives or executors of an Estate wish to undertake the estate administration themselves but require assistance in obtaining a grant of representation, we offer a ‘grant only’ service.

In order to obtain a grant of representation on your behalf, we require the personal representatives of executors to provide information in relation to the value of assets and liabilities which form the Estate. These figures enable us to prepare the application for the grant.

Once the Grant of Representation is issued, we will send it to you.

Any additional work or assistance that is required will be priced separately.

Our fixed fee for submitting an application to obtain a Grant of Representation only is £750 plus VAT  (£900) plus disbursements as outlined below:

  • Probate Registry application fee - £273;
  • Copies of the Grant of Representation - £1.50 per copy

Our Expert Team

Our expertise is how we maintain our strong reputation as a law firm.

Meet The Probate, Wills & Trusts Team