Our team has over 50 years of collective experience in delivering high quality work in all matters relating to Private and Business clients. We have 4 members of our team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by a Partner of the firm, Mr Shah Ali.

Mr Shah Ali is a partner at Waterstone Solicitors specialising in Immigration, Conveyance, Wills and Administration of Estate. He has extensive experience of over 10 years in dealing with different probate matters.

At Waterstone Solicitors we understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one and how stressful and confusing it can be to have to deal with the affairs of someone who has just passed away. We want to make it as easy as possible for you through this difficult time and will try and ensure that we take the stress of dealing with the paperwork away from you and will deal with all aspects of the process ourselves, from arranging the paperwork to contacting all parties involved in all transactions on your behalf. Furthermore, we will apply to obtain the Grant of Probate, prepare and submit any tax inheritance forms with the relevant authority, while advising you on all aspects of this process. We will contact all parties to settle any debts, arrange for the sale of any assets and pay all beneficiaries. Our team will work closely with you to understand your needs and wishes and carry out all necessary legal steps in a diplomatic, respectful and dignified way.

We regularly act for private individuals, commercial organisations, financial services, businesses and charities, advising on issues in relation to:

  • Wills; discretionary trust wills, UPE interest wills, disabled beneficiary wills and statutory wills
  • Creation of trusts; lifetime, post death, personal injury and beneficiary trusts
  • Administration of trusts
  • Power of attorney; preparation and registration
  • Estate administration, including variation of wills
  • Long term care planning
  • Wealth preservation; capital gains and inheritance tax planning
  • Contentious probate; trust matter and cross jurisdictional problems
  • Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependants), Act 1975 claims
  • Will and trust construction and rectification claims
  • Court of Protection deputyships
  • Creation and administration of charities.

However, we are required by our regulator, SRA to provide you with our prices in the following areas only:

Probate work in relation to uncontested cases where all the assets are in the UK. This includes both cases in which there is a will and where there is no will, and taxable and non-taxable estates.

*Please note that the prices will vary depending on a number of factors which we will explain further down, but mainly on the size of the estate, number of beneficiaries, number of assets held by the deceased and the complexity of the matter.

A Probate Case on Small Estates with a value of up to £325, 000

In this case we will apply for the Grant of Probate on your behalf and deal with thecollection and distribution of anyassets.

How much does this service cost?

TOTAL: fixed fee of £2400 (incl. VAT).

Breakdown of costs

  • Legal Fees: £2000
  • VAT on Legal Fees: £400

Expected Disbursements

  • Probate Court Fee: £158.
  • Swearing of the Oath: £7 (per executor)
  • Bankruptcy – only Land Charges Department searches: £2(per beneficiary)
  • Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors: £200
  • Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims:£200-£300

* Please note that the above cost for a post in the London Gazette and in the Local Paper is only an approximate fee and subject to change depending on any changed published fees by the publishing authority of either the London Gazette or Local Newspaper.

The above given prices apply and assuming that the size of the Estate is up to £325,000, the following will apply:

  1. There is a valid will and the Estate consists of no more than one property.
  2. We have to deal with a maximum number of 5 banks or building society accounts.
  3. There is no ongoing litigious matters or disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. The number of beneficiaries that we expect to deal with under the size of the Estate is expected to be no more than three.
  4. We do not expect to deal with any claims made against the estate or to deal with any other intangible assets.
  5. This type of Estate is not one that is expected to pay any inheritance tax or that any executors need to submit a full account to HMRC.

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.

*Please note that dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included in the above quoted price.

  • The absence of a will,or if the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds), it complicates the matter even further and unfortunately,it will cause our legal costs to increase significantly. We would be unable to provide you with a quotewithout perusing all documents beforehand.
  • Also, if we are required to provide you with more than 4 copies of the grant of probate, we reserve the right to charge £1 for each.

As part of our fixed fee we will:

  • Provide you with an experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
  • We will identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify and advise on the type of probate application you will require
  • Obtain all relevant documents required for us to make the application on your behalf
  • We will then complete the Probate Application and any other relevant HMRC forms that are required
  • We will draft a legal oath and contact you for you to swear the same
  • We will make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
  • We will obtain the Probate and provide you with two copies of the same
  • Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

How Long will my case take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 10-12 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 5-7 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 10-12 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-4 weeks.

A Probate Case on Medium Size Estates with a value between £325, 000 to £625,000

In this case, we will apply for the Grant of Probate on your behalf and deal with collection and distribution of the assets.

How much does this service cost?

TOTAL: fixed fee of £3600 (incl. VAT).

Breakdown of costs

  • Legal Fees: £3000
  • VAT on Legal Fees: £600

Expected Disbursements

  • Probate Court Fee: £158.
  • Swearing of the oath: £7 (per executor)
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches: £2 (per beneficiary).
  • Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors: £200
  • Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims: £200-300

*Please note that the cost for above post in the London Gazette and in the Local Paper is only an approximate fee and subject to change depending on any changed published fees by the publishing authority of either the London Gazette or Local Newspaper.

The above given prices apply and assuming that the size of the Estate is between £325, 000to £625,000, the following will apply:

  1. There is a valid will and the Estate consists of no more than one property.
  2. We have to deal with a maximum number of 5 banks or building society accounts.
  3. There is no ongoing litigious matters or disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. The number of beneficiaries that we expect to deal with under the size of the Estate is expected to be no more than three.
  4. We do not expect to deal with any claims made against the estate or to deal with any other intangible assets.
  5. This type of Estate is not one that is expected to pay any inheritance tax or that any executors need to submit a full account to HMRC.

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.

*Please note that dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included in the above quoted price.

  • The absence of a will, or if the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds), it complicates the matter even further and unfortunately, it will cause our legal costs to increase significantly. We would be unable to provide you with a quotewithout perusing all documents beforehand.
  • Also, if we are required to provide you with more than 4 copies of the grant of probate, we reserve the right to charge £1 for each.

As part of our fixed fee we will:

  • Provide you with an experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
  • We will identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify and advise on the type of probate application you will require
  • Obtain all relevant documents required for us to make the application on your behalf
  • We will then complete the probate application and any other relevant HMRC forms that are required
  • We will draft a legal oath and contact you for you to swear the same
  • We will make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
  • We will obtain the probate and provide you with two copies of the same
  • Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

How long will my case take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 14-16 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 5-7 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 10-12 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally takes 2-4 weeks.

A Probate Case on a Large Size Estates with a value above £625,000.00

In this case we will apply for the Grant of Probate on your behalf and deal with collection and distribution of the assets.

How much does this service cost?

Grade A – Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years’ experience: £265

Grade B – Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years’ experience: £225

Grade C – Other solicitors or legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience: £165

Grade D – Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners: £120

The large size estates will be charged at hourly rate.

Expected Disbursements:

  • Probate court fee: £158
  • Swearing of the Oath: £7 (per executor)
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches: £2 (per beneficiary).
  • Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors: £200
  • Post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims: £200-300
  • *Please note that the cost for above post in the London Gazette and in the Local Paper is only an approximate fee and subject to change depending on any changed published fees by the publishing authority of either the London Gazette or Local Newspaper.

The above given prices apply and assuming that the size of the Estate is above £625,000, the following will apply:

  1. There is a valid will and the Estate consists of no more than one property.
  2. We have to deal with a maximum number of 5 banks or building society accounts.
  3. There is no ongoing litigious matters or disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. The number of beneficiaries that we expect to deal with under the size of the Estate is expected to be no more than three.
  4. We do not expect to deal with any claims made against the estate or to deal with any other intangible assets.
  5. This type of Estate is not one that is expected to pay any inheritance tax or that any executors need to submit a full account to HMRC.

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.

*Please note that dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included in the above quoted price.

  • The absence of a will, or if the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds), it complicates the matter even further and unfortunately, it will cause our legal costs to increase significantly. We would be unable to provide you with a quotewithout perusing all documents beforehand.
  • Also, if we are required to provide you with more than 4 copies of the grant of probate, we reserve the right to charge £1 for each.

As part of our fixed fee we will:

  • Provide you with an experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
  • We will identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify and advise on the type of probate application you will require
  • Obtain all relevant documents required for us to make the application on your behalf
  • We will then complete the probate application and any other relevant HMRC forms that are required
  • We will draft a legal oath and contact you for you to swear the same
  • We will make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
  • We will obtain the probate and provide you with two copies of the same
  • Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

How long will my case take?

On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 16-20 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 5-7 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 10-12 weeks. Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets, which normally take 2-4 weeks.