Probate and estate administration solicitors in St AlbansWe take the paperwork off your hands after someone dies.
A fixed fee, agreed before we start.
- Fixed fees, agreed upfront
- Solicitor-led, St Albans office
- Reply within 1 working day
Full estate administration: estate up to £325,000
£2,500+ VAT
£3,000 including VAT
- Not included
Official fees and third-party costs are paid from the estate, not by you personally.
- Typical timescale
- A straightforward estate usually takes 6 to 12 months from start to finish.
- Award-winningBest Immigration Lawyer in St Albans, Quality Business Awards 2023 (opens in a new tab)
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- Since 2009SRA-regulated, no. 635480 (opens in a new tab)
- Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
A fixed fee for a straightforward estate: all assets in the UK, a valid will or clear intestacy rules, no inheritance tax to pay, and no disputes. Larger estates, or estates where inheritance tax is due, are quoted individually in writing before we start.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Full estate administration: estate up to £325,000 | £2,500+ VAT£3,000 incl. VAT | £3,000 |
| Full estate administration: estate £325,000 to £650,000 | £3,750+ VAT£4,500 incl. VAT | £4,500 |
| Family & finance consultation (60 minutes)With a solicitor. Credited against our fees if you instruct us. | £250+ VAT£300 incl. VAT | £300 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include Probate Registry or Office of the Public Guardian fees, which you pay directly to the Probate Registry or Office of the Public Guardian.
Other costs you'll pay
- Probate application fee£526
For estates worth more than £5,000. Extra official copies of the grant are £2 each if ordered with the application. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Deceased estates notice in The GazetteAbout £100
Protects the executors against unknown creditors. Optional, but usually advisable. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Property valuation (if there's a property)Usually £200 to £500
Paid to the valuer. Needed to value the estate for probate and inheritance tax.
Official fees have no VAT and are paid directly, not to us. Correct at 27 October 2026; the Home Office usually changes its fees in April and October. Estimates are marked "about" or "usually".
Official fees and third-party costs are paid from the estate, not by you personally. If an estate has more than one property, foreign assets, a business, or a dispute, we'll quote for the extra work before we do it.
Key stages and timescales
- First meeting and fixed fee agreed: Usually within 1 week of your first call
- Valuing the estate: Usually 1 to 3 months, depending on how quickly banks and other organisations reply
- Probate Registry decision: Usually within 12 weeks of the application GOV.UK processing times (opens in a new tab)
- Collecting in assets and paying debts: Usually 1 to 3 months after the grant, longer if a property is sold
- Final accounts and distribution: Usually 1 to 2 months
A straightforward estate usually takes 6 to 12 months from start to finish. Estates with inheritance tax to pay, a property to sell, or slow-to-respond banks can take longer. We'll keep you updated at every stage.
Probate and power of attorney fees on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
| Principal solicitor | £295 + VAT |
|---|---|
| Principal solicitor (complex matters) | £350 + VAT |
| Associate solicitor | £220–£240 + VAT |
| Caseworker | £150–£160 + VAT |
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- Someone close to you has died and you're named as an executor in their will, or you're their next of kin and there's no will.
- You don't have the time, or the energy right now, to deal with banks, the Probate Registry, and HMRC.
- The estate includes a house, savings, or investments, and you want it handled properly and on time.
How it works
Step 1: First meeting
We meet you, by video or at our office, to understand the estate, check the will, and confirm who the executors or administrators are. We confirm the fixed fee in writing.
Step 2: Value the estate
We write to the banks, pension providers, and other organisations, arrange a property valuation, and work out whether any inheritance tax is due.
Step 3: Apply for the grant
We prepare and submit the probate application and the inheritance tax forms, so the executors can legally deal with the estate.
Step 4: Collect in and pay debts
Once the grant is issued, we close accounts, collect the money, sell or transfer the property if needed, and pay any debts, tax, and funeral costs.
Step 5: Share out the estate
We prepare the estate accounts for the executors to approve, then pay each beneficiary what they're entitled to under the will or the intestacy rules.
What the fixed fee includes
The fixed fee covers the full administration of a straightforward estate: valuing the estate, preparing the inheritance tax forms, applying for the grant, collecting in the assets, paying debts and expenses, preparing estate accounts, and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries.
When we'll quote individually
We'll give you a written quote before starting if the estate is worth more than £650,000, if inheritance tax is payable, or if it includes more than one property, assets abroad, a business, or trusts. The same applies if there's a dispute between family members.
Executors' responsibilities
Executors must act in the beneficiaries' best interests, keep proper accounts, and not distribute the estate until debts and tax are dealt with. We can take on that work for you, or support executors who want to do some of it themselves.
Who will handle your case
Your matter is handled by
Our private client solicitor
An SRA-regulated solicitor with 4 to 5 years' experience in wills, probate, and estates.
She runs wills, probate, lasting power of attorney, and trust matters from start to finish, and is your contact throughout. We'll confirm her details in writing when you instruct us.
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Not sure which service you need?
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right page, or just call and tell us what's happened.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a solicitor for probate?
No, executors can apply for probate themselves. But it takes time and carries personal responsibility: if an executor makes a mistake, for example paying out before a debt or tax bill, they can be personally liable. Many families prefer a solicitor to handle it.
Who pays your fees?
Our fees and the official fees are paid from the estate, usually once money has been collected in. Executors don't normally pay from their own pocket.
What if there's no will?
The intestacy rules decide who inherits, and the closest relative usually applies to be the administrator. We can tell you who is entitled and handle the application in the same way.
What is a grant of probate?
It's the court document that gives executors the legal authority to deal with the estate, such as closing bank accounts and selling a property. Where there's no will, the equivalent is called letters of administration.
Is inheritance tax due?
It depends on the value of the estate and who inherits. Many estates pay none because of the tax-free allowances. We'll work it out with you and tell you before we start if your estate is likely to need an individual quote.
Can you help if family members disagree?
Yes. If there's a dispute about the will or the estate, see our inheritance disputes service. Disputes are outside the fixed fee.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
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Booking does not create a solicitor-client relationship until we confirm we can act for you (including a conflict check).