Pricing - Probate

mosshaselhurst Solicitors has been established in Cheshire for over 110 years and our Private Client team has a combined total of over 50 years experience between them. With offices located in Northwich and Winsford, our team has developed an excellent reputation for their expertise and local knowledge. When coupled with our market leading case management technology we are able to offer unrivalled customer service and keep clients well informed and supported throughout each transaction.

Our professionalism is underpinned by our accreditation to the Lexcel Quality standard meaning all clients can be assured of our quality and integrity.

All clients are always welcome to call in to our offices to discuss their matter face to face. We also offer home visits to assist clients who are unable to attend our offices.

Our Team

We have four members of the Private Client team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who assists you, Rob Gore is the Solicitor and Head of Private Client who supervises the members of the team.

Rob Gore – Solicitor and Head of Private Client

Rob obtained his law degree from Newcastle University in 1996 followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Chester College of Law.

Rob qualified as a Solicitor in April 2001 and worked in a large regional law firm for nineteen years, joining mosshaselhurst in August 2018. He specialises in Wills and estate planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and estate administration along with Deputyship work.

Jennifer Averill - Private Client Executive

Jen has been working in a legal firm since 2017. Starting as a legal secretary she quickly gained an understanding of the world of Private Client Law. She obtained her STEP Certificate in Trusts and Estates in 2022.

She specialises in Probate and Estate Administration for both taxable and non-taxable estates, including preparing income and inheritance tax returns and Trust registration. Her full estate administration service includes things such as funeral planning, and dealing with estate agents and other service providers to ensure vacant properties are compliant. She also prepares Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Court of Protection applications for Deputyships.

Jen is often out visiting clients in their homes, in care homes or in hospitals.

Away from the office Jen enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking her son to Villa Park.

Amanda Smith - Probate Assistant

Amanda has a wealth of legal knowledge having worked in law firms since leaving school. She is a sound and reliable administrative support for Melissa Howman.

Amanda originally joined mosshaselhurst in 1992 before leaving in 1998 to bring up her family. She returned to the Firm in 2011.

mosshaselhurst Solicitors are specialists in Private Client and Court of Protection work, including:

Will drafting
Estate planning for care fee purposes
Estate planning for Inheritance Tax purposes
Trusts
Probate and estate administration
Post death variations to estates
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Applications to the Court of Protection for mentally incapacitated persons

We would be pleased to discuss your individual needs and can provide a quote tailored to your particular circumstances on 01606 74301 or email us at reception@mosshaselhurst.co.uk?

Obtaining Grant of Representation

Here at mosshaselhurst we have a tiered pricing approach for our fixed fees for obtain a Grant of Probate only:

Tier 1 – estates where there is no IHT 400 required

Fees are £1,100 plus 20%VAT £220.00 = £1320 VAT plus the Court fee of £300 being a total of £1620.

Tier 2 – estates where an IHT 400 is required but no tax is payable

Fees are £1500 plus 20% VAT £300 = £1,800 plus the Court fee of £300 being a total of £2100.00

Tier 3 – estates where an IHT 400 is required and tax is payable

Fees are £1800 plus 20% VAT £360 = £2160 plus the Court fee of £300 being a total of £2460.00

Services included:

Preparation of Legal Statement if there is a Will or form PA1A if there is a Will
Submission of the Legal Statement/PA1A to the Probate registry
In respect of Tiers 2 & 3 – completion of IHT400 and submission to HMRC together with dealing with any enquiries that HMRC may have.

This does not include:

Any aspect of estate administration, including collecting in assets or paying debts of the estate, liaising with beneficiaries Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax enquiries, preparation and/or advice on Estate Accounts and distribution of the estate, advice and assistance with any agency connected with the estate other than the Probate Registry/HMRC.

This does not include enquiries received from the Probate Registry about the validity of the Will. If a Personal Representative requires assistance on this it would be based on the hourly rate confirmed in the terms of engagement letter at the outset.

The current hourly rates of the people who may be working for Personal Representatives are:

Rob Gore - £325 plus 20% VAT £65 = £390 (Solicitor)

Jennifer Averill - £245 plus 20% VAT £49 = £294 Private Client Executive

Disbursements

Probate Registry fee £300 plus £1.50 for each Office Copy of the Grant of Representation.

Key stages and time scales

Submission of application for Grant of Representation, 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of instructions from the Personal Representative; Receipt of Grant of Representation from the Probate Registry, up to 16 weeks from submission.

Estate Administration

The price range is based on an hourly rate of the person dealing with the estate administration. It is calculated according to the time spent, for instance the number of letters, telephone calls, preparation and attendances involved.

The current hourly rates of the people who may be working for Personal Representatives are:

Rob Gore - £325 plus 20% VAT £65 = £390 (Solicitor)

Jennifer Averill - £245.00 plus 20%VAT £49 = £ £294 Private Client Executive

Fee scale range for estate administration services:

The fees indicated at this section of our web site will form the basis of our fee agreement with a Personal Representative(s) if we are instructed for the administration of an estate in addition to simply obtaining a Grant of Representation:

Value of estate up to £100,000 – up to £3,000 plus 20% VAT £600 = £3,600

Value of estate between £100,000 to £325,000 - £3,000 to £6,000 plus 20% VAT at £600 to £1,200 = £4,200 to £7,200

Value of estate between £325,000 to £650,000 - £6,000 to £10,000 plus 20% VAT £1,200 to £2,000 = £7.200 to £12,000

Above £650,000 fees may be over £10,000 plus VAT of £2,000 at £12,000

The fees will be specifically confirmed to a Personal Representative(s) once we have reviewed the details of the type and values of the assets and liabilities in the estate and the potential distribution arrangements.

The fee structure outlined here is for enhanced guidance purposes to assist.

Our services include:

Valuing the net estate through correspondence with relevant agencies;
Preparation of Inheritance Tax return;
Paying Inheritance Tax;
Obtaining the Grant of Representation;
Collecting in assets and paying debts of the estate;
Preparation of Estates Accounts for approval by the Personal Representatives;
Distributing to the beneficiaries
This does not include:
Advice on and/or preparation of an Income Tax return and/or Capital Gains Tax return for the tax year to the date of death or from the date of death (we would be able to recommend an accountant to assist with this);
Deeds of Variation to change the distribution of the estate for any reason;
Deeds of Disclaimer if a beneficiary does not want their share of an estate;
Advice and assistance on the administration of and/or Inheritance Tax implications of foreign property;
Disputes about the distribution of an estate;
Advising or assisting on a challenge to a Will following our instruction to deal with an estate administration;
HMRC enquiries about Inheritance Tax valuations;
Department for Work & Pension enquiries received after the Grant of Representation;
The transfer of property pursuant to a distribution requirement;
The sale of property pursuant to a distribution requirement.

Such advice and assistance would be quoted for, if required, by the relevant person within the firm and agreed before commencement.

Potential Disbursements

Highly likely:

Probate Registry fee £300 plus £16 for each Office Copy of the Grant of Representation

Potentially likely:

Statutory Advertisements for unknown creditors to protect Personal Representatives approximately £250
Bankruptcy searches £6 (per person)
Land Registry searches £7
Accountants fee, hourly rate of relevant accountant
Enquiry agency to locate missing beneficiary, hourly rate or fixed fee of relevant agent