Probate - Complex Estates

Administering an estate can be a complex and stressful process at what is often a very emotional time. We can assist with the burden of dealing with the estate by advising you throughout the process, preparing the probate application and inheritance tax return, obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, collecting in the estate assets and distributing them to the beneficiaries.

What is a Complex Estate?

For the purposes of our pricing, a Complex Estate is typically one where:

• A full Inheritance Tax Return (IHT400) is required, even if no Inheritance Tax is ultimately payable, or
• No Inheritance Tax Return is required but the number of asset holders exceeds 10, or
• The estate contains more than one property and there are more than 10 beneficiaries.

For complex estate administrations where a full Inheritance Tax Return (IHT400) is required, our fees start from £4,500 plus VAT and disbursements.

Due to the nature of complex estates, it is often difficult to provide a precise estimate of costs at the outset as each matter is unique. These matters are therefore usually charged on a time spent basis.

Wherever possible, we will provide an estimated range of costs either at our initial meeting or as soon as sufficient information is available during the administration of the estate. In some complex estates it may not be possible to provide a reliable estimate, and work will continue to be charged on a time spent basis.

This Service Includes:

• A consultation with a solicitor or Legal Executive at our offices for as long as is necessary
• Where there is no will acting on behalf of the administrator and to completing an administrator check to ensure you are entitled to take out the Letters of Administration
• Where there is a Will acting on behalf of the appointed Executors
• Obtaining valuations of the assets and liabilities in the Estate as long as there are no more than 25 organisations that we have to contact
• Arranging payment of funeral costs from one of the Deceased’s bank accounts
• Checking and putting in place house insurance if necessary (but not the costs of the same which will be deducted from the Estate)
• Advising on the Inheritance Tax position of the estate and the completion of a long form Inheritance Tax Return IHT400 where required
• Drafting the Legal Statement to obtain the Grant of Probate
• Meeting at our offices with a Solicitor or Legal Executive to advise you on the Inheritance Tax Return and the Oath and to obtaining your signature thereto
• Arranging for monies to be released from Deceased’s bank account/s to pay any inheritance tax due
• Submitting IHT400 to HMRC and obtaining receipt of Return and any tax paid
• Obtaining the Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration and court sealed copies
• Collecting in and transfer of assets including the transfer of any property in the Estate to a specified beneficiary
• Payment of outstanding liabilities of the Estate
• Distribution of Specific legacies
• Answering any enquires form HMRC with regard to the submitted IHT return and to applying for clearance from HMRC on conclusion of the administration of the Estate
• Finalising any income tax /capital gains tax a payable by the estate with HMRC
• Preparation of Final Estate Accounts for your approval
• Distribution of the Estate to the residuary beneficiaries

This Service Does Not Include:

• Identifying beneficiaries of an intestate Estate – we will engage the services of research company to prepare a report and the costs of will be charged to the Estate
• Dealing with the sale any property in the Estate – conveyancing cost will be charged separately
• Potential disputes
• Variations to the Estate – a specific fixed fee will be provided to you if this is needed
• Dealing with the deceased’s business

If it becomes clear at our initial meeting that your matter requires additional work outside this service, we will advise you at that stage and provide details of the additional work required together with confirmation of any additional charges.

VAT IS CURRENTLY CHARGED AT 20%

* Fees are correct at March 2026

Disbursements which are the costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties such as court fees.   We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process and include the following: 

• Probate application fee of £300 plus £16 for every court sealed copy of the Grant that we request
• Bankruptcy only Land Charges Department searches - £2 per beneficiary
• Land Registry fees payable if we transfer a property in the estate to a named beneficiary. Such fees will be based upon whether the property is registered at the  Land Registry and the value of the property.  Further details will be provided at your initial meeting.

There may be other disbursements including fees for notices in the London Gazette and Local Newspapers that help protect against unexpected claims against the Estate or searches with Certainty to try ascertain whether a Will exists.   If this is necessary we will advise you of such at your initial meeting and provide you with details of the costs.

On average estates that fall into this range are dealt with within 6-12 months. Typically obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration takes 15-20 weeks.  Collecting assets then follows which can take between 6-10 weeks.  Once this has been done we can pay the liabilities of the Estate prepare the final estate accounts and distribute the assets which normally takes 6-10 weeks.

Jane Mawer is Head of the Private Client Department.  She has over 15 years experience within this area of law.

Faye Blair is a Solicitor with over eight years experience within the department.  

Jamie Dobbs is a Legal Executive. She is an integral member of the department and has extensive knowledge of this area of law having worked within the department for over 11 years.