Fee Structure

Probate & Estate Administration Fees

At Evalen Law, we are committed to transparency from the outset of your matter. Before commencing any work on your file, we will provide you with a clear breakdown of legal fees, expenses, and any disbursements involved. You will receive our Letter of Engagement and Terms of Business to review, agree upon, and sign before we proceed.

All fees quoted below exclude disbursements, court fees, barrister fees, or expert fees. Our fees are subject to VAT at 20%.

Please note that the following fees are estimates and may vary depending on the complexity and specific circumstances of your case.

Who Will Carry Out the Work

All probate and estate administration work is carried out by a qualified solicitor. Your matter will be handled by a Solicitor/Director of the firm at an hourly rate of £375 + VAT, who has significant experience in private client and probate matters.

Fixed Fee Agreements

We understand that legal matters can be stressful. To provide peace of mind and avoid unexpected legal costs, we offer fixed fee services where possible.

A member of our team will assess your case and provide a tailored fixed fee quote where appropriate.

Hourly Rate Fees

Where a fixed fee agreement is not suitable, our legal services will be charged based on time spent.

Our current hourly rates are:

Directors & Partners – £375 per hour + VAT
Consultants – £325 per hour + VAT
Associate Solicitors – £280 per hour + VAT
Trainee Solicitors – £180 per hour + VAT

Wills & Probate Fees

Will Drafting Fees

Simple Will – From £550 + VAT

Suitable for straightforward circumstances, including:

One or two beneficiaries
No property trusts
No inheritance tax planning
No business or foreign assets

Standard Will – £750 – £1,200 + VAT

Suitable where additional planning is required, including:

Multiple beneficiaries
Guardianship provisions
Specific gifts or legacies
Basic inheritance tax considerations
More detailed instructions or advice

Complex Will – £375 per hour + VAT

Applies where more advanced work is required, including:

Trust structures (e.g. life interest or discretionary trusts)
Tax planning
Business or agricultural assets
Foreign assets
Blended families or potential disputes
High-value estates

Mirror Wills (for couples)

Simple Mirror Wills – From £750 + VAT
Standard Mirror Wills – £950 – £1,500 + VAT
Complex Mirror Wills – Charged at £375 per hour + VAT

Probate Fees

Probate costs depend on the complexity of the estate. Unlike some firms, we do not charge a percentage commission based on the estate’s value.

Grant of Representation Only

If the Personal Representatives provide full details of the estate’s assets, we offer a fixed fee to obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration:

Grant of Representation (IHT205 required) – From £2,500 + VAT + disbursements
Grant of Representation (IHT400 required) – From £3,500 + VAT + disbursements

Full Estate Administration

If you require full assistance with estate administration, our fees will depend on the estate’s complexity.

These estimates are based on estates of typical complexity and may increase where additional work is required.

These estimates assume that the estate is straightforward and that all assets are easily identifiable and accessible.

Additional costs may apply where further work is required.

Estates up to £50,000 (no property, up to 4 accounts): £2,800 – £3,200
Estates £50,000 – £100,000 (no property, up to 6 accounts): £3,200 – £5,600
Estates £100,000 – £325,000 (includes property, up to 12 investments): £6,000 – £9,500
Estates £325,000 – £650,000 (includes property, up to 16 investments): £8,500 – £14,000
Estates £650,000 – £2,000,000 (includes property, up to 30 investments): £10,000 – £35,000
Estates over £2,000,000: Tailored estimate provided

Disbursements (Additional Costs)

Disbursements are additional third-party costs payable in addition to our legal fees.

Typical disbursements include:

Probate Court Fee – £273 (+ £1 per sealed copy)
Oath Swearing Fee – Up to £10 per person
Land Registry Search Fees – £3 per property
Land Registry Registration Fee – £40
London Gazette Notice – From £104
Local Newspaper Notice – From £150–£200

Typical disbursements for a standard estate usually range between £300 and £1,000, depending on the circumstances.

Additional Fees for Complex Estates

Additional costs may arise where the estate includes:

✔ Property sales or transfers
✔ Missing beneficiaries or lost assets
✔ Lost wills or share certificates
✔ Large volumes of paperwork
✔ Trust interests
✔ Agricultural or business property
✔ Private company shares
✔ Foreign assets
✔ High-value items (e.g. art, antiques)
✔ Inheritance Tax liabilities
✔ Complex tax advice
✔ Disputes between beneficiaries
✔ Deeds of variation or indemnity insurance

We will always inform you in advance where additional work is required and agree any revised costs.

Key Stages of Estate Administration

The key stages typically include:

Identifying personal representatives and beneficiaries
Gathering details of assets and liabilities
Valuing the estate
Preparing and submitting the probate application
Dealing with HMRC (including inheritance tax where applicable)
Collecting assets
Paying debts and liabilities
Distributing the estate

Not all stages are required for every matter.

Estimated Timescales

The probate process typically takes between 6–12 months for a standard estate.

Grant of Probate: up to 3 months
Asset collection & distribution: 1–10 months
Complex estates (e.g. inheritance tax cases): up to 2 years

Timescales are indicative only and depend on third parties such as HMRC, financial institutions, and the Probate Registry.

Why Choose Us

At Evalen Law, we provide:

✔ Transparent fees with no hidden costs
✔ No percentage-based probate charges
✔ Fixed fee options where possible
✔ Experienced solicitor-led service
✔ Efficient and professional handling of matters

Complaints

If you have any concerns about our service or fees, please contact us. We operate a formal complaints procedure, details of which are available on request. You also have the right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman:
www.legalombudsman.org.uk

Call us on 020 7112 8355

Fee Structure

Probate & Estate Administration Fees

Standard Will – £750 – £1,200 + VAT

Complex Will – £375 per hour + VAT

Mirror Wills (for couples)