Obtaining a Grant of Probate ONLY in more complex estates.
Here we apply the necessary expertise to deal with more complex estates but keep the costs down by leaving you to collect in the assets, pay the bills and pay out the beneficiaries. We would recommend our full bespoke probate service if you have concerns about hassle from family members. It is not uncommon for executors to be in real trouble with beneficiaries who feel they have been cheated, or deal with unfairly. Leaving us to deal with them from an independent viewpoint will increase costs over those below, but it might keep your family together and you sane! In all cases we require £240 then interim monthly invoices thereafter.Back to DIY Back to Simpler estates To Full Bespoke Service Watch out for.
Gold Probate Service (IHT 400 and more than 4 supporting Schedules or Complex) Level 1 complex estates.
This is a ‘Grant Only’ service where you provide us with a list of the deceased’s assets and liabilities with their values as at the date of death and evidence in support of these figures. From these figures we prepare an Oath and IHT 400 and more than 4 supporting Schedules, send them to you for signing or swearing and arrange for the inheritance tax to be paid. On return to us we will send the IHT 400 and supporting schedules and Probate Summary to H M Revenue and Customs and the Oath and original Will (if there is one) to the Probate Registry, obtain the Grant and send the grant to you so you can collect in the assets and distribute the estate.We estimate can costs plus disbursements based on a time estimate of 8 -15 hours work at our normal relatively modest hourly rates.We consider an estate to be ‘Complex’ where any of the following apply to the estate:
- gift out of income or
- substantial gifts within the last 7 years over £150,000. Or
- The deceased has set up a trust during their life- time or was a life tenant or income beneficiary of certain trusts. Or
- The estate comprises a business. Or
- There are foreign assets over £100,000 or foreign issues.
A broad outline of the work we may carry out for you is:
- Receiving a completed family tree and advising the next of kin where there is no Will of the relevant intestacy provisions;
- Being informed whether deceased was widowed or divorced and being supplied with details
- Advising on any appropriate Deeds of Variation;
- Receiving a copy signed Will (if there is one.)
- Receiving an ORIGINAL death certificate.
- Receiving List of Assets & Liabilities at the date of death and evidence in support together with copy trusts and details of life-time gifts within last 7 years.
- Arranging Notice to Creditors, if appropriate;
- Completing any inheritance tax forms and calculating and arranging payment of any inheritance tax due from the estate which can be made by instalments if appropriate;
- Preparing IHT 400 and supporting Schedules.
- Preparing the Oath for the Personal Representatives/Executors to swear;
- Make the application for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration.
- Sending the Grant to you so you can collect in the assets and pay liabilities yourself and complete the administration of the estate yourself.
If you wish us to deal with the deceased’s Life Time Tax Return to date of death there will be an additional charge for each return (HMRC can go back 6 years.)Please note that this estimate is appropriate where an IHT 400 must be completed and no more than 4 supporting Schedules. If as the case continues it becomes clear that further IHT Schedules are required or the case is more complex than originally known we will send you a new estimate.Deeds of variation are a separate issue and can be very useful. APPENDIX 1 Gold Probate Service (IHT 400 and more than 4 supporting Schedules or Complex) Level 2 GRANT ONLY: This is a ‘Grant Only’ service where you provide us with copy letters relating to the deceased’ assets, income and liabilities. Assets will include shares, investments, pensions, tax returns, tax references, state pensions, salaries, property details, foreign assets and any foreign income. From this information provided, we will then write to the institutions to find out the date of death balances due to or from the estate. From the figures provided by the institutions, we prepare an Oath and IHT 400 and more than 4 supporting schedules, send them to you for signing or swearing and arrange for the inheritance tax to be paid. On return to us we will send the IHT 400 and supporting schedules and Probate Summary to H M Revenue and Customs and the Oath and original Will (if there is one) to the Probate Registry, obtain the Grant and send the grant to you so you can collect in the assets and distribute the estate. We estimate costs of £3,300 – £6,000 plus disbursements based on a time estimate of 11 -20 hours work at our hourly rates set out below. We consider an estate to be ‘Complex’ where any of the following apply to the estate:
- gift out of income or
- substantial gifts within the last 7 years over £150,000, or
- the deceased has set up a trust during their life- time or was a life tenant or income beneficiary of certain trusts, or
- the estate comprises a business or
- there are foreign assets over £100,000 or foreign issues.
A broad outline of the work we are to carry out for you is:
- Receiving a completed family tree and advising the next of kin where there is no Will of the relevant intestacy provisions;
- Being informed whether deceased was widowed or divorced and being supplied with details
- Advising on any appropriate Deeds of Variation;
- Receiving a copy signed Will (if there is one)
- Receiving an ORIGIANL death certificate
- Receiving all paperwork relating to assets & liabilities, pensions, life insurance, HM Revenue & Customs, Tax Returns (e.g. copy letters showing address of institution and account number) together with copy trusts and details of life-time gifts within last 7 years
- Preparing the Oath for the Personal Representatives/Executors to swear;
- Make the application for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration
- Receiving part payment in advance of £240 (then interim monthly invoices thereafter)
If you wish us to deal with the deceased’s Life Time Tax Return to date of death there will be an additional charge of £600 for each return (HMRC can go back 6 years) This estimate is based on the information you have provided us. Please note that this estimate is appropriate where an IHT 400 must be completed and the case is either complex or there are more than 4 supporting Schedules. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORKIngrid McCleave is a solicitor and will have responsibility for your matter and will be carrying out the work with the assistance of our Legal Apprentice, Daniel Docherty APPENDIX 1 Silver Probate Service (IHT 205) Level 1FULL SERVICE: This is a ‘Full Probate Service’ for non-taxable estates, where you provide us with a list of the deceased’s assets and liabilities with their values as at the date of death and evidence in support of these figures. From the figures provided by you, we prepare an Oath and IHT 205 and send them to you for signing or swearing. On return to us we will send them to the Probate Registry, obtain the Grant and collect in and or transfer the assets to the beneficiaries, after paying the liabilities of the estate. We will finalise the estate, complete any estate income tax returns, prepare estate accounts and distribute the estate to the beneficiaries. We estimate costs of between £1,400 – £2,500 plus disbursements based on a time estimate of 6-10 hours work at our hourly rates set out below. A broad outline of the work we are to carry out for you is:
- Receiving a completed family tree and advising the next of kin where there is no Will of the relevant intestacy provisions;
- Being informed whether deceased was widowed or divorced and being supplied with details
- Advising on any appropriate Deeds of Variation;
- Receiving a copy signed Will (if there is one)
- Receiving a copy death certificate
- Receiving all paperwork relating to assets & liabilities, pensions, life insurance, HM Revenue & Customs, Tax Returns (e.g. copy letters showing address of institution and account number)
- We prepare the Assets & Liabilities Schedule and prepare the IHT 205
- Preparing the Oath for the Personal Representatives/Executors to swear;
- Make the application for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration
- Collecting in assets and paying liabilities. Transferring assets to Beneficiaries. Preparing Estate Accounts and closing the Administration of the Estate with the relevant authorities
- Preparing all Trust Tax Returns for the period of the administration (this is included in the full service only)
- Preparing any letters of indemnity for the beneficiaries to sign where assets are not transferred to the Personal Representative, to indemnify them against further liability;
- Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries and preparing the Estate Accounts.
- Receiving part payment in advance of £240 (then interim monthly invoices thereafter payable within 14 days)
If you wish us to deal with the deceased’s Life Time Tax Return to date of death there will be an additional charge of £600 for each return (HMRC can go back 6 years). In which case we would obtaining the relevant information to complete the Tax Return to the date of death and any outstanding Tax Returns as at the date of death and finalise the deceased’s life time tax affairs. This estimate is based on the information you have provided us. Please note that this estimate is appropriate where an IHT 205 must be completed. If as the case continues it becomes clear that an IHT400 is required we will send you a new estimate. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK[Gemma James is a Chartered Legal Executive / Amanda Tidey is a senior caseworker and will have responsibility for your matter and will be carrying out the work with the assistance of our Legal Apprentice, Daniel Docherty and be supervised by Ingrid McCleave a solicitor/ Gemma James a Chartered Legal Executive.] delete as required