When a friend or loved one passes away it can be a very upsetting and a confusing time, leaving many people frustrated and uncertain on what to do and how to deal with their estate.
Depending on if the deceased has left a Will and you are named as their executor or there is no Will and you are the next of kin we are able to help and assist you.
Here at Harvey Baker Solicitors, we have the expertise and the knowledge to guide you through this difficult time.
A Grant of Probate - If there is a Will
If you have the original Will or know where the Original Will is located and you are an Executor we can offer you a number of different services. Whether it is advice and Guidance on what to do next, assistance in obtaining the Grant of Probate or dealing with the Administration of the Estate on your behalf, we can provide assistance, guidance, assurance and advice.
We have a number of services available depending on how involved you would like us to be in the process.
Obtaining a Grant of Probate - Only
By providing us with the details of the deceased’s estate Assets and Debts information and the original Will, we will be able to prepare a schedule of Assets and Liabilities, advise you if there is any Inheritance Tax to pay and then inform HM Revenue and Customs on your behalf, if applicable, and apply for the Grant of Probate.
Once the Grant has been obtained it will be for you to then continue with the administration of the deceased’s estate, this being the collection and sale of assets, payment of debts and tax and payment of any debts before then distributing the assets as per the wishes in the Will.
Our fees
- £1,000 Plus VAT for a Non Taxable estate
- £1,500-£2,000 Plus VAT for Taxable estates (Depending on Complexity)
- £250 Plus VAT for Notice to Non acting Executors (per Notice)
NOTE: In addition to our fees, there is also a Probate Registry Application fee payable to HM Courts and Tribunal Service of £300.00 plus £16 per office copy. (an office copy will be needed to be sent to anyone holding money or a debt belong to the deceased and will also be necessary to sell any property)
Full Administration of Estate – Dealing with Everything on your behalf or as your Attorney
Similar to the Grant only service, this service will involve obtaining the Grant of Probate, but will also include helping you contact the Asset and Debt holders (Bills) to obtain the initial values, drafting and building a full set of Estate Accounts as well as a Schedule of Assets and Liabilities, contacting HM Revenue and Customs and if required paying the tax, dealing with debt management companies that may chase you for money, placing Section 27 Notices to protect the estate, ensuring any property maintains insurance protection using the Grant of Probate to collect the assets, sell or transfer property and pay any debts as well as then distributing the estate and providing executors and residuary beneficiaries with a set of estate accounts providing a full breakdown.
We are also able to work with all executors if instructed, or work for executors appointing us to act with a Limited General Power of Attorney.
The difference with this service, is that should you like to appoint us with a Power of Attorney ( Limited to deal with the administration of estate), It will allow us to make decisions and sign documents on your behalf for the majority of decisions and applications. You will be able to track the progress of the application and Administration with Our App.
Our fees
- 2.6% of the Gross Probate Value of the Estate (plus VAT) or a Minimum Fee of £3,000+VAT
- £350 Plus VAT for a General Power of Attorney
- £16 for each office copy of the grant required
- £250 Plus VAT for Notice to Non acting Executors (per Notice)
- £400-£1250 Plus VAT- Deed of Variation (price will be depending on complexity - Where the will needs to be amended to show the deceased true wishes within 2 years of death
Possible Disbursements that may be included as part of the application
- Bankruptcy Searches £6 (per Beneficiary)
- Identity Check £7.50 (per Beneficiary, Legatee and Executor)
- S27 Statutory notices/Advertisements - £90-£400 depending on the individual newspaper charge
- Probate Registry Application fee payable to HM Courts and Tribunal Service of £300.00 plus £16 per Office copy. (an Office copy will be needed to be sent to anyone holding money or a debt belong to the deceased and will also be necessary to sell any property)
The estate may also need to meet various administrative costs, which can include, but are not limited to, estate agency fees, property clearance charges, asset and liability searches, searches for wills or other documents, valuation or auctioneer fees, genealogists’ fees, and the fees of overseas agents or notaries where assets are located abroad
Letters of Administration - If there is NO Will or a Will but the executors have all passed away
If there is no Will, we will need to know the deceased’s family tree to know who is able to apply for the Letters of Administration.
Alternatively if there is a Will but the Executors are also deceased, you would need to be one of the residuary beneficiaries to apply for the Letters of Administration
If you are capable of being an Administrator, we will need the original Will (if applicable) or know where the Original Will is located we can offer you a number of different services.
Similar to if you required a Grant of Probate, we can offer advice and Guidance on what to do next, provide assistance in obtaining the Letters of Administration or dealing with the Administration of the Estate on your behalf, we can also provide assistance, guidance, assurance and advice.
We have a number of services available depending on how involved you would like us to be.
Obtaining The Letters of Administration - Only
By providing us with the details of the estate Assets and Debts information and the original Will if any or a Family Tree of the deceased (including any relatives that have passed before the deceased), we will be able to prepare a schedule of Assets and Liabilities, advise you on if there is any Inheritance Tax to pay and then inform HM Revenue and Customs on your behalf if applicable and apply for the Letters of Administration.
Once the Letters of Administration have been obtained it will be for you to then deal with the collection and sale of assets, pay any Tax and payment of any debts before then distributing the assets as per the wishes in the Will.
Our fees
- £1,500 Plus VAT for a Non Taxable estate
- £2,000-£2,500 Plus VAT for Taxable estates (Depending on complexity)
NOTE: In addition to our fees, there is also a Probate Registry Application fee payable to HM Courts and Tribunal Service of £300.00 plus £16 per Office copy. (an Office copy will be needed to be sent to anyone holding money or a debt belong to the deceased and will also be necessary to sell any property)
Full Administration of Estate – Dealing with Everything on your behalf or as your Attorney
Similar to the above service, this service also will involve obtaining the Letters of Administration, but will also include Helping you contact the Asset and Debt holders (Bills) to obtain the initial Values, Drafting and building a full set of estate accounts as well as a Schedule of Assets and Liabilities, contacting HM Revenue and Customs and if required paying the Tax, dealing with debt management companies that may chase you for money, Placing Section 27 notices to protect the estate, ensuring any property is maintained and insured using the Letters of Administration to collect the assets, sell or transfer property and pay any debts as well as then distributing the estate and providing executors and residuary beneficiaries with a set of estate accounts and providing a full breakdown of accounts.
We are also able to work with all administrators if instructed or for administrators using us with a Limited General Power of Attorney.
The difference with this service is that should you like to appoint us with a Power of Attorney ( Limited to deal with the administration of estate), It will allow us to make decisions and sign documents on your behalf for the majority of decisions and applications. You will be able to track the progress of the application and Administration with Our App.
Our fees
- 2.6% of the Gross Value of the Estate (plus VAT) or a Minimum Fee of £3,000+VAT
- £350 Plus VAT for a General Power of Attorney
- £400-£1250 Plus VAT - Deed of Variation (price will be depending on complexity)- Where the will needs to be amended to show the deceased true wishes within 2 years of death
Possible Disbursements that may be included as part of the application
- Bankruptcy Searches £6 (per Beneficiary)
- Identity Check £7.50 (per Beneficiary, Legatee and Executor)
- S27 Statutory notices/Advertisements - £90-£400 depending on the individual newspaper charge
- Probate Registry Application fee payable to HM Courts and Tribunal Service of £300.00 plus £16 per office copy. (an office copy will be needed to be sent to anyone holding money or a debt belong to the deceased and will also be necessary to sell any property)
The estate may also need to meet various administrative costs, which can include, but are not limited to, estate agency fees, property clearance charges, asset and liability searches, searches for wills or other documents, valuation or auctioneer fees, genealogists’ fees, and the fees of overseas agents or notaries where assets are located abroad
We at Harvey Baker ensure that our clients are at the forefront of our service, while maintaining a very high standard of service and knowledge, we also ensure our clients are getting the very best offering a high level of expertise, compassion and empathy with our clients. Our App based approach is second to none allowing for every client to see exactly what is happening on their file at that exact moment, our app also provides updates and notifications when something new is done on their file and an estimated timescale for completion of the next task and push notification when a new document is produced.
We have found that with this approach our clients may have as little or as much contact with our team as they wish to have, ensuring a high level of service and communication while maintaining the highest legal standard or work
Our Private clients do not just see us as solicitor providing them with a service but a Solicitor practice assisting them for life in all their Private client needs.
Should you require any further information on Grants, Letters of Administration or our Services for a Full Administration of an estate, please contact a member of the Wills and Probate team to make an appointment to discuss matters, on 01443 565693.