St. John Legal provides a bespoke wills and probate service. The price for each service depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Wills

We offer a personal bespoke service and we aim to provide you with a fixed fee whether it is a simple case, such as where you require a will to be drafted leaving the entire estate to your spouse, or a more complicated will involving various beneficiaries under a trust structure. The price for each varies, mainly according to complexity and the amount of time it will take.By way of example our fixed fee pricing starts at at £250 + VAT for a simple will for one person.

This service is Partner led and you will have direct access to the Partner.

Probate and Administration of Estates

We offer a personal bespoke service and where possible we will try to offer a fixed fee. However the value, complexity of the estate and the risk involved are some of the factors taken into account on pricing. If there is a single beneficiary and one property the price for obtaining grant of probate and administering the estate will be lower than if it is more complex with several beneficiaries and multiple assets.

Pricing Example – A simple case to obtain grant of probate and administer the assets of the estate where costs are estimated in the region of £4,000 - £6,000 plus VAT and disbursements

The Facts:

• There is a valid will
• There is a single property and all assets are within the UK
• There are no more than four bank or building society accounts
• There are no other intangible assets (if there are this will increase the fees payable)
• There are up to five beneficiaries and there are no disputes between them on division of assets (see below for contested probate)
• There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMR&C (if there is this will increase the fees payable)
• There are no claims made against the estate (if there are this will increase the fees payable)

Disbursements payable by you to third parties in addition to the costs estimate:

• Probate application fee £155.00
• Statutory advertisement in the London Gazette £100.00 fee plus VAT (estimated)
• Post in a local newspaper to protect against any unexpected claims £100.00 fee plus VAT (estimated)
• Bankruptcy only Land Charges Department Searches £2.00 per beneficiary
• Swear fee £7.00 per executor

Note: There may be additional disbursements or costs incurred such as for copies of the grant of probate, dealing with unexpected claims, any required insurance such as for buildings or contents, dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate are not included. These are examples that often occur.

If you have any questions then please give us a call for more information or an explanation.

Contested Probate -Trust and Wills disputes

In this type of matter, the calculation of fees depends on a number of factors including complexity. We offer a fixed fee first meeting for clients at £250 + VAT. At that meeting, we will take detailed instructions from you to assess the facts and circumstances including any relevant documents before advising you on the options and an estimate of the likely charges for each stage.

Please give us a call in complete confidence to discuss any issue or concern you may have in respect of a Will or where no Will has been made.