Pricing - Probate

mosshaselhurst Solicitors has been established in Cheshire for over 110 years and our Private Client team has a combined total of over 50 years experience between them. With offices located in Northwich and Winsford, our team has developed an excellent reputation for their expertise and local knowledge. When coupled with our market leading case management technology we are able to offer unrivalled customer service and keep clients well informed and supported throughout each transaction.

Our professionalism is underpinned by our accreditation to the Lexcel Quality standard meaning all clients can be assured of our quality and integrity.

All clients are always welcome to call in to our offices to discuss their matter face to face. We also offer home visits to assist clients who are unable to attend our offices.

Our Team

We have four members of the Private Client team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who assists you, Rob Gore is the Solicitor and Head of Private Client who supervises the members of the team.

Rob Gore – Solicitor and Head of Private Client

Rob obtained his law degree from Newcastle University in 1996 followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Chester College of Law.

Rob qualified as a Solicitor in April 2001 and worked in a large regional law firm for nineteen years, joining mosshaselhurst in August 2018. He specialises in Wills and estate planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and estate administration along with Deputyship work.

Melissa Howman is a Solicitor. Melissa obtained a 2:1 in her Law degree at the University of Liverpool, before joining mosshaselhurst Solicitors in June 2014. Whilst working here full time Melissa was awarded a distinction in her Legal Practice Course in 2016 before qualifying as a Solicitor in April 2018.

If you are looking for a keen and knowledgeable Solicitor who can provide reliable legal support, contact Melissa now. She works alongside Director Rob Gore on a wide range of Will, Lasting Power of Attorney and Probate matters.

Sue Davis - Probate Assistant

Sue Davis has over 25 years’ experience working in the legal environment. She works full time and is available to deal with any queries you may have.

Amanda Smith - Probate Assistant

Amanda has a wealth of legal knowledge having worked in law firms since leaving school. She is a sound and reliable administrative support for Melissa Howman.

Amanda originally joined mosshaselhurst in 1992 before leaving in 1998 to bring up her family. She returned to the Firm in 2011.

mosshaselhurst Solicitors are specialists in Private Client and Court of Protection work, including:

Will drafting
Estate planning for care fee purposes
Estate planning for Inheritance Tax purposes
Trusts
Probate and estate administration
Post death variations to estates
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Applications to the Court of Protection for mentally incapacitated persons

We would be pleased to discuss your individual needs and can provide a quote tailored to your particular circumstances on 01606 74301 or email us at reception@mosshaselhurst.co.uk?

Obtaining Grant of Representation

Here at mosshaselhurst we have a tiered pricing approach for our fixed fees for obtain a Grant of Probate only:

Tier 1 – estates where there is no IHT 400 required

Fees are £975 plus VAT plus the Court fee of £300 being a total of £1470.00

Tier 2 – estates where an IHT 400 is required but no tax is payable

Fees are £1500 plus VAT plus the Court fee of £300 being a total of £2100.00

Tier 3 – estates where an IHT 400 is required and tax is payable

Fees are £1800 plus VAT plus the Court fee of £300 being a total of £2460.00

Services included:

Preparation of Legal Statement if there is a Will or form PA1A if there is a Will
Submission of the Legal Statement/PA1A to the Probate registry
In respect of Tiers 2 & 3 – completion of IHT400 and submission to HMRC together with dealing with any enquiries that HMRC may have.

This does not include:

Any aspect of estate administration, including collecting in assets or paying debts of the estate, liaising with beneficiaries Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax enquiries, preparation and/or advice on Estate Accounts and distribution of the estate, advice and assistance with any agency connected with the estate other than the Probate Registry/HMRC.

This does not include enquiries received from the Probate Registry about the validity of the Will. If a Personal Representative requires assistance on this it would be based on the hourly rate confirmed in the terms of engagement letter at the outset.

The current hourly rates of the people who may be working for Personal Representatives are:

Rob Gore - £295 plus VAT (Solicitor)

Melissa Howman - £225 plus VAT (Solicitor)

Disbursements

Probate Registry fee £300 plus £1.50 for each Office Copy of the Grant of Representation.

Key stages and time scales

Submission of application for Grant of Representation, 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of instructions from the Personal Representative; Receipt of Grant of Representation from the Probate Registry, up to 16 weeks weeks from submission.

Estate Administration

The price range is based on an hourly rate of the person dealing with the estate administration. It is calculated according to the time spent, for instance the number of letters, telephone calls, preparation and attendances involved.

The current hourly rates of the people who may be working for Personal Representatives are:

Rob Gore - £295 plus VAT (Solicitor)

Melissa Howman - £225 plus VAT (Solicitor)

Average price range:

Value of estate up to £100,000 - £2,000 plus VAT

Value of estate between £100,000 to £325,000- £3,500 plus VAT

Value of estate between £325,000 to £650,000- £8,000 plus VAT

Above £650,000- £8,000 plus VAT

Services included

Valuing the net estate through correspondence with relevant agencies;
Preparation of Inheritance Tax return;
Paying Inheritance Tax;
Obtaining the Grant of Representation;
Collecting in assets and paying debts of the estate;
Preparation of Estates Accounts for approval by the Personal Representatives;
Distributing to the beneficiaries
This does not include:
Advice on and/or preparation of an Income Tax return and/or Capital Gains Tax return for the tax year to the date of death or from the date of death (we would be able to recommend an accountant to assist with this);
Deeds of Variation to change the distribution of the estate for any reason;
Deeds of Disclaimer if a beneficiary does not want their share of an estate;
Advice and assistance on the administration of and/or Inheritance Tax implications of foreign property;
Disputes about the distribution of an estate;
Advising or assisting on a challenge to a Will following our instruction to deal with an estate administration;
HMRC enquiries about Inheritance Tax valuations;
Department for Work & Pension enquiries received after the Grant of Representation;
The transfer of property pursuant to a distribution requirement;
The sale of property pursuant to a distribution requirement.

Such advice and assistance would be quoted for, if required, by the relevant person within the firm and agreed before commencement.

Potential Disbursements

Highly likely:

Probate Registry fee £300 plus £1.50 for each Office Copy of the Grant of Representation

Potentially likely:

Statutory Advertisements for unknown creditors to protect Personal Representatives approximately £250
Bankruptcy searches £2 (per person)
Land Registry searches £3
Accountants fee, hourly rate of relevant accountant
Enquiry agency to locate missing beneficiary, hourly rate or fixed fee of relevant agent