Probate & Estate Administration - Case Studies

The time required to apply for the grant of probate will vary, depending on individual circumstances.

To provide an indicative picture of the factors that determine a fee quote for probate work and to show the different services we offer, we have published two example case studies below.

Case Study 1 (Probate)

• Mr X died leaving a valid, non-contested Will;
• His wife, Mrs X, had previously passed away;
• Mr X’s estate consisted of his main residence, a plot of land, various bank accounts (approximately 15 accounts), premium bonds, chattels and a few small shareholdings;
• Total value of estate was in the region of £600,000;
• The estate passed to adult children under the terms of the Will;
• No Inheritance Tax was payable due to the availability of the nil rate band, transferrable nil rate band and residence nil rate band;
• Completion of IHT400 required; and
• Executors notified all financial institutions regarding the death and provided all necessary information to us.

Fee – £3,500 + VAT

Timescale – 4 months from initial engagement to M+A Partners submitting the probate application to the probate registry.

Administration period

• Executors provided all financial institutions with the grant of probate and collected in the assets of the estate;
• Preparation of estate accounts;
• Preparation of estate tax reporting via informal procedures and submission to HM Revenue & Customs;
• Preparation of forms R185 summarising the estate income passing to the adult children; and
• Advice given regarding assenting the plot of land to the adult children prior to disposal.

Fee – £3,900 + VAT

Timescale – 2 years and 3 months in total. Length of time was as a result of the property taking a long time to sell on the open market.

Preparation of personal tax returns for the beneficiaries

Fee – £500 + VAT each

Timescale – by 31 January deadline in respect of all years required to complete the tax returns.

Case Study 2 (Probate)

• Mrs Y died leaving a valid, non-contested Will;
• Mrs Y’s estate consisted of her half share of the main residence, various bank accounts (approximately 15 accounts), premium bonds, chattels and significant investment portfolios;
• Total value of estate was in the region of £725,000;
• The estate passed to the surviving spouse under the terms of the Will;
• No Inheritance Tax was payable due to the availability of spouse exemption;
• Completion of IHT400 required; and
• Executors instructed M+A Partners to notify all financial institutions regarding the death and requested all necessary information directly.

Fee – £4,400 + VAT

Timescale – 6 months from initial engagement to M+A Partners submitting the probate application to the probate registry.

Administration period

• Executors instructed M+A Partners to provide all financial institutions with the grant of probate and collect in the assets of the estate;
• Distribution of the assets held in accordance with the terms of the Will;
• Preparation of estate accounts;
• Preparation of estate tax reporting via informal procedures and submission to HM Revenue & Customs; and
• Preparation of forms R185 summarising the estate income passing to the surviving spouse.

Fee – £7,210 + VAT

Timescale – 1 year and 10 months in total.

Further details on our rates can be found here.