When Someone Dies

Obtaining the Grant only

Here at Page Nelson, we understand that some executors require more help during the administration process than others and we pride ourselves in offering as much help as is required by each individual.

Because of this, we offer a Grant Only service whereby Page Nelson will carry out all the work and administration necessary to obtain the Grant and the appointed executors or the administrators may then feel they are able to collect in the assets and distribute the estate themselves.

If the estate is below the inheritance tax threshold of £325,000 and does not require the full Inheritance Tax account to be completed, our firm’s charges for obtaining the Grant only would be £1,250 plus VAT.

However, if the estate requires the full Inheritance Tax account to be completed, our firm’s charges will be between £1,750 and £2,500 plus VAT. This is also dependent upon the size of the estate.

Administration following the issue of the Grant

Where the estate value is between £250,000 and £2m our fees would be:

• Up to £325,000 – 1.5% plus VAT and disbursements
• Between £325,000 and £650,000 – 2% plus VAT and disbursements
• Up to £1m – 2.5% plus VAT and disbursements

For estate values above £1m, we will agree a fixed fee with you taking into account the work, complexity, and the value involved.

We will provide you with an estimate of our fees once we have details of the estate. Please note, this will be an estimate and our actual fees will be based on the time spent which may be higher or lower than the estimate. We will be able to give you a more accurate quotation once we have met with you at our initial meeting and discussed the estate in detail.

If self-assessment income tax returns are required, we may instruct an accountant to carry out this work, incurring additional fees.

We will normally raise an interim account shortly after we receive the Grant of Probate and a final account on completion of the administration of the estate. Our charges and disbursements (expenses) are settled from estate funds and are not payable by the executor(s) personally.

Public Notice fees

You may wish us to publish a public notice in some situations.

This is known as a Section 27 Notice, and can be placed in the London Gazette and within the local newspaper.

This will help protect against claims from unknown creditors and/or unexpected claims against the estate. The charges for this are dependent upon the local newspaper and we will be happy to obtain a quotation for this for you.

If we are instructed to obtain the Grant of Probate only, and you wish us to submit the Section 27 Notices on your behalf, our fee for this will be £125.00 plus VAT.

Disbursements (expenses)

The disbursements which are costs related to the estate that are payable to third parties, such as court fees, are usually as follows but this is not an exhaustive list:

• Probate Registry application fee- £300.00 plus £1.50 for each official copy of the Grant of Probate. This is usually £306.00.
• Bankruptcy search fee – £3.20 per beneficiary
• Bank transfer fee to each UK bank account – £15.00 plus VAT
• Bank transfer fee to each international bank account – £75.00 plus VAT

If there is a property in the estate, there will be Land Registry fees of £4.20 per property, and if tax is payable on the estate, there may be surveyor’s valuation fees.