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Probate is a generic term used to describe the process of applying for formal authority to complete the estate administration of someone who has died, covering both when a valid will is left and where there is no valid will.
Generally, probate is needed when the estate is of the deceased is worth more than £5,000. There are some exceptions to this, such as trusts and joint assets. If you would like to know more, you can call, email or start a live chat with us.
If the estate is fairly small, with most of the funds consolidated already by someone who held Power of Attorney for the person who died, and there is no property held in the name of the deceased, this may be something you wish to consider.
However, even with a small and simple estate, many people find the amount of time required and the necessary form-filling somewhat daunting.
We help make sure people only pay for what is actually needed. You can get advice for free without any high-pressured sales tactics and staying anonymous if you wish to.
If probate is required, we’ll provide you with your options, including one, all-inclusive fixed fee that’s over 50% less than the leading high street solicitors and probate services.
| NBS | Average | Saving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIMPLE GRANT – LEGAL FEE | £599 | £1,295 | £696 |
| GRANT + IHT FORM | £1,200 | £2,500 | £1,300 |
| SOLICITOR CONSULTATION | FREE | £150 – £300 | £150 – £300 |
| SUPPORT FOR DIY | FREE | £175 | £175 |
| ADDITIONAL SUPPORT | FREE | £75+ per hour | £75+ |
Start with your free assessment and find out the best option for you.
Probate can vary in complexity. It can be straightforward, but it can also be time-consuming and stressful.
Probate services can help save you a lot of time and trouble as well as anxiety and stress. Especially where matters are complex and potentially might lead to a family dispute.
The National Bereavement Service are here to help you as much or as little as you require:
Simply by helping you determine which probate option is the most suitable for you
By helping you with acquiring probate and legal paperwork
By assisting more complex estate matters.
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Although changes have been made to regulations regarding solicitors’ fees, it can still be hard to find a price online. However, there is a requirement for solicitors to provide a formal quotation for the work they will undertake.
Some solicitors will charge an hourly fee and a percentage (between 1%-2%) of the gross value of the estate they are dealing with, and will estimate how many hours they believe it will take to conclude the process. This can be costly, so it is important you receive transparency on the expected fees.
Here are some example fees that you should expect to be charged for the work involved in dealing with probate.
If you would like to discuss these in more detail, please call us.
| Fee | VAT | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIMPLE GRANT OF PROBATE | £599.00 | £119.80 | £718.80 |
| SIMPLE GRANT + PLUS PROPERTY | £999.00 | £199.80 | £1,198.80 |
| FULL ADMIN <100k | £1,800.00 | £360.00 | £2,160.00 |
| FULL ADMIN 100k – 200k | £3,000.00 | £600.00 | £3,600.00 |
| FULL ADMIN 200k – 300k | £3,950.00 | £790.00 | £4,740.00 |
| FULL ADMIN 300k – 400k | £5,250.00 | £1,050.00 | £6,300.00 |
| FULL ADMIN 400k – 500k | £7,500.00 | £1,500.00 | £9,000.00 |
| FULL ADMIN 500k – 600k | £9,000.00 | £1,800.00 | £10,800.00 |
The first step in the probate process is to identify whether the deceased person wrote a will and if so, to locate it. If there is a will, then responsibility must be taken by the person(s) referred to as Executors to ensure its contents are delivered. In the absence of a will, it is usually the nearest living relative who will be appointed as their Representative who administers the estate.
Probate is only required if the estate is over a certain value. When you notify banks and building societies that the person has died, they will inform you if they require probate before releasing funds to you. Usually, probate will be required if the person who died owned property, but this will depend on how the property was owned.
To obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration (in England and Wales), you will need to gather full information about the estate – or as accurate as you can be – and complete the necessary forms – PA1P (when there is a Will) or PA1A (when there is no Will). If the estate is large enough that inheritance tax will be payable (for estates valued at more than £325,000), this must be done within a set period of time. In most cases, you must pay Inheritance Tax within six months of the end of the month in which the deceased died. After this period, interest and penalties will be charged on the amount outstanding.
Once the Grant has been obtained, assets can be gathered from banks and building societies. All debts must be paid before any beneficiaries named in the will can receive their gifts.
Where there are potentially lots of creditors, Statutory Notices should be placed to protect the Administrators of an estate from any claimants that otherwise may have been overlooked. Although Statutory Notices are not a legal requirement, by placing them, the Executor or Administrator will be protected from any personal liability if a creditor comes forward and makes a future claim after an estate has been distributed.
Probate will usually take several months to complete, while larger and more complex estates can take up to or more than a year before everything is completed. Using a solicitor to do this work on your behalf can seem a huge relief.
Get help finding probate solicitors. Here at the National Bereavement Service, we can recommend reputable solicitors who are not only competitively priced but who are compassionate, professional and happy to act on your behalf during your bereavement. Our legal partners maintain high standards, delivered with great sensitivity. In addition, they have transparent fee structures so that you know how much the process will cost from the outset.
For more information about the National Bereavement Service, contact us today on:
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