testament awaiting signing

Probate and Wills Solicitor Servicing Coventry, Rugby and Bell Green

Kundert Solicitors provides a private client department that offers a professional and approachable service tailored to your needs. When it comes to how to make a will or finding out about powers of attorney, you need the right information to make an informed decision. Our probate and wills solicitor will help you every step of the way, offering expert guidance and advice. We offer:

  • Competitive fees
  • A free initial consultation

Our team of legal experts are happy to meet elderly clients at their homes for their convenience. Your probate and wills solicitor will work closely with your financial advisers and accountants to deliver cost-effective tax and estate planning services. We can also draw on our expertise from our family, property and dispute resolution solicitors to provide a comprehensive legal service.

Pragmatic Legal Advice On
Inheritance Tax, Estate Planning & Wills

The team at Kundert Solicitors knows it is important to have the necessary measures in place to ensure your wishes are met and your assets reach the relevant people. That’s why we provide practical and clear legal advice on everything from inheritance tax to estate planning and wills.

Wills

  • Single Wills £225 + VAT = £270
  • Joint Wills £325 + VAT = £390
  • Life Interest Joint Wills  £450 + VAT = £540
  • Single Codicils  £125 + VAT = £150
  • Joint Codicil  £150 +VAT = £180
  • Home Visit Charge £50 + VAT = £60 (per visit)
  • Obtaining Probate from £800 + VAT + Court fee

Administering the estate – in accordance with our terms of business
The above prices are estimates indicative only. An individual quotation or estimate will need to be obtained prior to instructing us formally.

lawyer

Rugby Office
Paul Hughes
Partner /Head of Wills and Probate
21 years’ experience

paul@kundert.co.uk01788 222850

Coventry Office
Jasmine Coles
Solicitor
Admitted 1989

jasmine@kundert.co.uk02476227741

Let Us Help You
Make a Will

Based in Coventry and servicing Rugby, we can help with:

  • Making a will
  • Inheritance tax planning
  • Administration of estates
  • Probate
  • Discretionary trusts

Practical,
Straight Forward Advice

Our services include:

  • Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Will Drafting
  • Elderly client advice
  • Care home free planning

Services and Costs for Probate (all assets in the UK)

Paul and Jasmine have over 50 years combined experience in dealing with Probate.

We offer a fixed fee service for obtaining Probate only, this service starts from £800 + VAT + Probate Court fee of £273 per application (plus £1.50 for each copy Grant).  These Court fees are waived for estates below £5,000.00 and our fee may be reduced based on the size of the estate.

If we follow this up with the Administration of the estate to collect and distribute the assets belonging to the deceases (within the UK and where matters are not contested) our hourly rate charge of £250 per hour would apply (this is experience based of PQE of 8 years +). Full costs details will be provided in our Client Care Letter.  Approximate fee can be in the region of £1,500 – £,3000 plus VAT.

Obtaining the Grant of Probate takes on average 6-12 months. However, if the HMRC are involved and Inheritance Tax* is payable the process can take on average between 12-18 months. Once Probate has been granted the assets can be distributed in line with the deceased Will

*Estates over £325,000.00

For further information, please complete the enquiry form below or contact us on 01788 222850 / Paul@kundert.co.uk or 02476 227741 / Jasmine@kundert.co.uk

PROBATE FAQ’S

What is Probate?

Probate is a Court Order which confirms the authority of the Executors under a Will to deal with the administration of the Estate.  If there is no Will, the Court will appoint Administrators to undertake the role of the Executor.

How do you apply for Probate?

Firstly, the value of the deceased’s Estate needs to be ascertained. Such as bank/building society account balances, the contents of their home and the value of the home (if owned). The application for Probate can then be prepared. Following this all the necessary forms to the application are signed be the Executor and sent to the Probate Registry

What is next?

Probate can then be used to cash any bank/building society accounts, sell personal items and any property the deceased may have.  The proceeds from the Estate, should then pay for any funeral costs, debts, outstanding bills, other liabilities (solicitors fees). The remaining balance can then be shared between the beneficieries of the Will.

Will I have to pay Inheritance Tax?

If all the Estate is left to a wife, husband or charity there should no Inheritanc tax to pay. Where more than £325,000 is left to others there may be. There may be allowances that can be claimed which can reduce or even avoid this.

What are the Costs?

Obtaining Probate starts from £800 + VAT.  The Probate Court Fee is £273 per application on Estates over £5,000. If dealing with the administration of the Estate, our hourly rate charge of £250 per hour + VAT would apply - this is experience based of 8 years + PQE.  Full cost details will be provided in our Client Care Letter.

Example costing:

Grant only (fixed fee) :

We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf.  The cost of this service is:

Professional Fees £800 + VAT @ 20%

Disbursements - (where applicable VAT is included at 20%):

  • Probate application fee of £273
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
  • Office copies  - £1.50 each
  • Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.  Price on request as this need to be obtained from the London Gazette on each individual matter
  • Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.  Price on request as this need to be obtained from the local newspaper on each individual matter

Disbursement are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Court Fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

As part of our fixed fee service we will:

  • Provide you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor (8 years+ PQE) to work on your matter
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
  • Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
  • Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
  • Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
  • Obtain the Probate and securely send copies to you

On average, estates of a standard nature (as above) are dealt with within 3-6 months.  Typically obtaining the grant of probate takes 4-12 weeks from the application form being sent

Grant and Simple Administration:

We anticipate this will take between 6 and 10 hours work at £250.00 per hour plus VAT at 20%. Total costs estimated at -£1,500 - £3,000 (+VAT at 20%) + disbursements.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:

  • There is no more than one property
  • There are no more than 3-7 bank or building society accounts
  • There are no other intangible assets
  • There are up to 5 beneficiaries
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
  • There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
  • There are no claims made against the estate

Disbursements included in this fee (where applicable VAT is included at 20%):

  • Probate application fee of £273
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
  • Office copies  - £1.50 each
  • Land Registry fee - £20-£45 – depending on the value of the property
  • Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.  Price on request as this need to be obtained from the London Gazette on each individual matter
  • Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.  Price on request as this need to be obtained from the local newspaper on each individual matter

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 6-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 4-12 weeks from the application form being sent. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 4-12 weeks, this is dependent on the turnaround of other parties, such as a bank. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 4-6 weeks.

Complicated Administrations:

We can give you a more accurate quote once we have the full information of the Estate.

Complicated matter included such tasks as, IHT return and payment, more than 1 property being involved, several bank accounts, shares and policies to be collected.

We would estimate a timescale of 9 – 24 months on such a matter.

Potential additional costs

  • If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
  • Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.

 

Key stages and timescales?
  1. Assessing the value of the Estate – within 6 months from the date of instructions.  This is also dependant on the number of assets and how quick responces are received
  2. Assessing Inheritance Tax (IHT) Liability – IHT is due 6 months after the date of death before HMRC begins to charge interest
  3. Applying for Probate -  We aim to apply for probate within 2-4 weeks, following the receipt of all the relevant information. The forms will then be sent to the Probate Registry and Probate is usually granted between 4-12 weeks.
  4. Informing Interested parties – This follows immediately on probate being granted
  5. Gathering assets of the Estate (if dealing with the administration too) – between 3-6 months.  We are dependent on other organistaions getting back to us.
  6. Paying any debts owed – within 2-4 weeks upon receipt of sufficient funds
  7. Completing Estate - Clearance from the HMRC when required and pay out all the  beneficieries will be completed as soon as possible (ideally within 3-6 months) . Each matter is different due to the size and number of beneficieries.
Make sure your wishes are met when you pass on. Give us a call on 024 76227741
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