As an ICAEW accredited probate firm we are only allowed to deal with non-contentious probate but if the probate is contentious, we can refer you to a solicitor who will be able to assist you.
Our fees are never charged on a percentage of the value of an estate.
Our fees are based on time spent at our hourly charge out rates.
For your information, our current hourly charge-out rates excluding VAT and disbursements from May 2025 (which may increase annually, for example, for inflation) are as follows:
- Partner £325
- Manager £150
- Seniors £90
- Semi-seniors £75
- Juniors £50
- Disbursements – Probate Application Fees payable to HMCT are £300 (from May 2024). There is a small additional charge for extra copies of the Grant of Probate
Every probate case will vary there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. in relation to the time taken to complete the process it depends on a wide variety of factors including nature and complexity of assets, correspondence with third parties, the need to undertake valuations for specific assets, complications in the process with HMRC or the Probate office and locating beneficiaries to name but a few. However, we firmly believe that as accountants with extensive tax and probate knowledge we are best placed to prepare probate work in a quick efficient manner thus helping to keep the overall costs down.
Whilst we cannot give specific quotes for reasons mentioned above, we have provided some illustrations of our charges based on previous probate cases and our experience. Please bear in mind these charges are just an indication and each case will differ depending on the complexity of each estate:
Case study 1:
The Executors of an Estate not requiring an Inheritance Tax form IHT400 provide Ripe Probate Ltd with all the information required for us to calculate the value and composition of the Estate and apply for and obtain the Grant of Probate.
Estimated fee: £900 to £1,400 VAT and disbursement. This depends on the number of assets / executors involved and quality of the information provided.
Case study 2:
These would typically be characterised as:
- No inheritance tax (IHT)
- A maximum of two beneficiaries
- A maximum of five bank accounts
- Few dividend holdings
- No intangible or business assets
- No potentially exempt transfers or gifts out of income
Our fees for this type of estate would usually be in the range of £4,000 to £6,000 plus VAT and disbursement.
Case Study 3:
These would typically be characterised as:
- IHT to pay
- Multiple beneficiaries
- Multiple bank accounts
- Multiple investments
- Multiple properties
- Life assurance policies
- Potentially exempt transfers
Our fees for this type of estate would usually be in the range of £7000 to £10,000 plus VAT and disbursement.
Case Study 4
These would typically be characterised as:
- IHT to pay
- Multiple beneficiaries
- Multiple bank accounts
- Multiple investments
- Multiple properties
- Life assurance policies
- Potentially exempt transfers
- Gifts out of income
- Business property
Our fees for this type of estate would usually be in the range of £12,000 to £16,000 plus VAT and disbursement.
