Pricing - Probate

mosshaselhurst Solicitors has been established in Cheshire for over 110 years and our Private 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 Law Society's Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS) and 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. Our Northwich office opens from 8am-7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays so we can assist clients outside of normal office hours and are always available when needed. 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 across the region 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. Rob is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and also a professional Deputy for mentally incapacitated clients, appointed through the Court of Protection. He specialises in Wills and estate planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and estate administration along with Deputyship work.

Emma Sezer – Wills Executive

Emma is experienced in estate planning and Will drafting and has a particular interest in Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyship applications through the Court of Protection. Emma has been with the firm for a number of years and covers both our Northwich and Winsford offices.

Katie Green – Private Client Assistant

Katie joined the firm in July 2018 having worked within the field of Wills and Probate prior to this within the Cheshire area and provides overall support to the team.

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
Acting as Deputy at the Court of Protection
Challenging estates

So why not contact us now to discuss your individual needs and to obtain a quote tailored to your particular circumstances on 01606 74301 or email us at [email protected]?

Obtaining Grant of Representation

Fixed Price £500 plus VAT

Services included

Completion of Inheritance Tax return IHT205 based on information provided by the Personal Representative
Preparation of Executors Oath if there is a Will or Administrators Oath if there is no Will
Submission of the Executors Oath or Administrators Oath to the Probate Registry
Forwarding to the Personal Representative on receipt from the Probate Registry on payment of our invoice

This does not include:

Any aspect of estate administration, including valuing the net estate, collecting in assets or paying debts of the estate, liaising with beneficiaries or HMRC on Inheritance Tax, 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.

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 - £245 plus VAT Solicitor

Julie Foundation - £195 plus VAT Chartered Legal Executive

Emma Sezer - £170 plus VAT Executive

Disbursements

Probate Registry fee £155 plus £0.50 for each Office Copy of the Grant of Representation Swear fee £7 if there is a Will or £5 if there is no Will, this is for each Personal Representative

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, 2 to 4 weeks from submission; Average time for conclusion of case, 4 to 8 weeks

Estate Administration

The price range is based on an hourly rate of the person dealing with the estate administration and a percentage of the value of the estate. It is calculated according to the time spent, for instance the number of letters, telephone calls, preparation and attendances involved. An additional value element figure of between 1% and 1.5% of the value of the estate, before deduction of liabilities, is normally added to take account of the value and complexity of the estate administration. This value excludes the value of residential property within an estate.

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

Rob Gore - £245 plus VAT Solicitor

Julie Foundation - £195 plus VAT Chartered Legal Executive

Emma Sezer - £170 plus VAT Executive

Average price range:

Value of estate up to £100,000 - £2,000 plus VAT

Value of estate between £100,000 to £325,000- £3,500 plus VAT

Value of estate between £325,000 to £650,000- £8,000 plus VAT

Above £650,000- £8,000 plus VAT and the additional value element percentage based on the value of the estate

Services included

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 £155 plus £0.50 for each Office Copy of the Grant of Representation;
Swear fee £7 if there is a Will or £5 if there is no Will, this is for each Personal Representative
Potentially likely:
Statutory Advertisements for unknown creditors to protect Personal Representatives approximately £250
Bankruptcy searches £2
Land Registry searches £3
Accountants fee, hourly rate of relevant accountant
Enquiry agency to locate missing beneficiary, hourly rate or fixed fee of relevant agent

Key stages and time scales

Submission of application for Grant of Representation, 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of instructions subject to clearance by HMRC if Inheritance Tax is required to be paid;
Receipt of Grant of Representation from Probate Registry, 2 to 4 weeks from submission;
Average time for conclusion of case to distribution to beneficiaries, 4 to 8 months.