In this case, the deceased left a Will and there were two executors, three residuary beneficiaries, one property to be transferred to one beneficiary under the Will, two bank accounts and a life policy.  Our total fees were £2000 plus VAT @ 20% and disbursements of £91.20 Will Search fee, £276 court fee, £6 bankruptcy search fees and £40 Assent fee. The timescale for completion was around 6 months.

These fees included:

• taking instructions from the Executors and obtaining information about the various assets and liabilities.
• completing Certainty Will search to ensure the Executors had the last Will of the deceased. 
• contacting all the relevant companies to obtain date of death balances for all assets and liabilities as at the date of death.
• writing to all beneficiaries to advise of their entitlement and ensuring up to date contact details obtained.
• completing the probate application for signature by the Executors. Also completing claim forms to cash in/transfer various assets.
• submitting the probate application to the Probate Registry and dealing with any enquiries.
• upon receipt of the grant arranging for the various assets to be cashed in. 
• preparing Estate and Distribution Accounts for approval by the Executors and sending for signature together with the Assent to transfer the property to the named beneficiary under the terms of the Will.
• completing bankruptcy searches against all beneficiaries and once completed and the accounts approved by the Executors, arranging payment to the beneficiaries and the Assent sent to the Land Registry so that the property can be registered in the name of the new legal owner.

In this case, the Executors did not wish to have S27 notices and there was no requirement to wait 6 months from the date of the grant. We would advise you in relation to these matters 

In this case, the deceased left a Will and there were two Executors, five residuary beneficiaries, 10 legatees, one property to sold, six bank accounts, two investments and various shares. An additional inheritance tax allowance was transferrable from the deceased’s late husband. Our total fees were in the region of £3,000 plus VAT @ 20% and disbursements of £91.20 Will Search fee, £279 court fee, £300 approximately S27 notices, £30 bankruptcy search fees. The timescale for completion was around 9 to 12 months.

These fees included:

• taking instructions from the Executors and obtaining information about the various assets and liabilities.
• completing Certainty Will search to ensure the Executors had the last Will of the deceased. 
• contacting all the relevant companies to obtain date of death balances for all assets and liabilities as at the date of death.
• contacting all utility providers to register the death and ensuring all correspondence sent to us. Notifying the house insurance provider that the property was now unoccupied (this may result in a further premium payable by the estate).
• arranging settlement of the funeral invoice from one of the deceased’s bank accounts.
• writing to all beneficiaries to advise of their entitlement and ensuring up to date contact details obtained.
• completing the Probate application and checking the available nil rate band claim form to apply an additional IHT tax threshold and arranging signature by the Executors. Also completing claim forms to cash in the various assets.
• submitting the probate application to the Probate Registry and dealing with any enquiries.
• arranging for S27 notices to be placed in the local press and London Gazette on the instruction of the Executors. 
• upon receipt of the Grant arranging for the various assets to be cashed in. 
• corresponding with our conveyancing team and upon completion of the sale of the property arranging for all utility accounts to be closed and any final bills settled.
• preparing Estate and Distribution Accounts for approval by the Executors.
• completing bankruptcy searches against all beneficiaries and arranging payment to the beneficiaries.

In this case, the deceased left a Will, there was two Executors, two beneficiaries, various bank accounts, property and shares. There was a small amount of inheritance tax payable after claiming a transferable nil rate band and residence nil rate band. Our total fees were £4,000 plus VAT @ 20% and disbursements of £91.20 Will search fee, £276 Court fee, £300 approximately for S27 notices, £4.00 bankruptcy search fees. The timescale for completion was around 12 months. 

These fees included:

• taking instructions from the Executors and obtaining information about the various assets and liabilities.
• completing Certainty Will search to ensure the Executors had the last Will of the deceased. 
• contacting all the relevant companies to obtain date of death balances for all assets and liabilities as at the date of death.
• contacting all utility providers to register the death and ensuring all correspondence sent to us. Notifying the house insurance provider that the property was now unoccupied (this may result in a further premium payable by the estate).
• arranging settlement of the funeral invoice from one of the deceased’s bank accounts. 
• completing form IHT400 and supplemental forms together with a nil rate band claim form and residence nil rate band claim form to apply an additional IHT tax threshold and probate application for signature by the Executors. Also completing claim forms to cash in the various assets.
• arranging for forms to be completed and signed by the Executors to enable the inheritance tax liability to be paid direct from the deceased’s bank accounts.  
• submitting the probate application to the Probate Registry and dealing with any enquiries.
• arranging for S27 notices to be placed in the local press and London Gazette on the instruction of the Executors. 
• upon receipt of the Grant arranging for the various assets to be cashed in. 
• corresponding with our conveyancing team and upon completion of the sale of the property arranging for all utility accounts to be closed and any final bills settled.
• completing bankruptcy searches against all beneficiaries and arranging an interim payment to the beneficiaries whilst awaiting clearance from the tax office.
• subsequently receiving tax clearance and preparing Estate and Distribution Accounts for approval by the Executors. Subsequently making final payments. 

In this case, the deceased did not leave a Will and we were instructed by one of the deceased’s cousins who agreed to act as an Administrator. The deceased had six bank accounts and a life policy. Our total fees were in the region of £3000 plus VAT @ 20% and disbursements of £265.20 Will Search fee, £279 court fee, S27 notice in local press in the region of £200, £26 bankruptcy search fees. The timescale for completion was around 9 to 12 months. In addition to our legal fees, genealogists were instructed who produced the family tree which resulted in 13 beneficiaries some receiving different shares depending on their position under the rules of intestacy. Missing beneficiary was also obtained at a cost to the Estate. 

These fees included:

• taking instructions from the Administrator and obtaining information about the various assets and liabilities.
• completing Certainty Will search to try and locate any missing Will. This search included the S27 notice on the London Gazette and obtaining a missing beneficiary quotation. 
• instructing genealogists.
• contacting all the relevant companies to obtain date of death balances for all assets and liabilities as at the date of death.
• writing to all beneficiaries once located by genealogists to advise of their entitlement and option to act as a co-administrator.
• completing the probate application for signature by the Administrator.   Also completing claim forms to cash in/transfer various assets.
• submitting the probate application to the Probate Registry and dealing with any enquiries.
• placing S27 notice in the local press.
• upon receipt of the Grant arranging for the various assets to be cashed in. 
• arranging missing beneficiary insurance on the instruction of the Administrator.
• calculating percentages due to the various beneficiaries under the rules of intestacy. Preparing Estate and Distribution Accounts for approval by the Administrator.
• upon receipt of approved accounts, completing bankruptcy searches and arranging for payment to the beneficiaries.