LEEDS OFFICE 
Trading as Avery Walters Solicitors 
 
HARROGATE OFFICE 
Trading as Powell Eddison Solicitors 
 

Our Wills, Probate & Trusts Charges Explained 

Our Probate Charges Explained 
 
Our promise: We will always discuss the basis of our charges with you at the beginning of the case and we will ensure that you are updated on costs as the matter progresses if a fixed fee is not agreed at the outset. 
 
We can offer fixed fees for many private client services such as Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Grant only applications and trust work. Please contact us for a quote. 
 
When dealing with ad hoc advice, review of papers or the full administration of the estate we will charge for our time in accordance with the relevant specialist’s hourly rate and for dealing with the full administration of estate, a percentage of the estate in addition to our hourly rate. 
 
The hourly rates from May 2024 are as follows:- 
 
Managing Partner £350 + VAT (£420) 
Partner £300 + VAT (£360) 
Head of Department £275 + VAT (£330) 
Solicitor/Licensed Conveyancer £250 + VAT (£300) 
Trainee Solicitor £200 + VAT (£240) 
Paralegal £150 + VAT (£180) 
Secretarial Staff £100 + VAT (£120) 
 
All hourly rates and fees are subject to VAT chargeable at a rate of 20%. For example, an hourly rate of £200 + VAT equates to £240 per hour and a fixed fee of £1,000 + VAT equates to £1,200. 
 
It is sometimes necessary for us to do some initial work to assess how much work is required in any particular matter which may involve reviewing paperwork or contacting third parties. We can agree an initial fee cap for this investigative work and thereafter provide an estimate or fixed fee for remaining work to be carried out. 
 
 

Type of assistance 

Prices From 

Likely Disbursements 

Grant only (will) 
£1,250+VAT 
(£1,500) 
- Probate application fee £300 
- Extra Copy Grant of probate £1.50 per copy 
- Copy deeds £3 per property 
- ID searches per executor/beneficiary £32 
Grant only (no will) 
£1,300+VAT 
(£1,560) 
• Probate application fee £300 
• Extra copy Grant of probate £1.50 per copy 
• Copy deeds £3 per property 
• ID searches per executor/beneficiary £32 
Grant only taxable for IHT (Will or no Will) 
£2,500 - £3,500 +VAT 
(£3,000 - £4,200) 
• Probate application fee £300 
• Extra copy Grant of probate £1.50 per copy 
• Copy deeds £3 per property 
• ID searches per executor/beneficiary £32 
Dealing with statutory notices for creditors under Trustee Act 
£150+VAT 
(£180) 
• Notice fees in local paper and London Gazette approx. £517  
Deed of Renunciation 
£250+VAT per document 
(£300) 
 
Notices to non-proving executors 
£150+VAT per document 
(£180) 
 
Full administration where the directors of Avery Walters are executors appointed in the Will 
• 0.75% of any residential property 
• 1.5% of the remaining gross estate 
• Hourly rate for time spent. 
 
Estimate of time required can be provided upon receipt of facts and paperwork* 
• Probate application fee £300 
• Extra copy Grant of probate £1.50 per copy 
• Copy deeds £3 per property 
• ID searches per executor £32 
• Statutory notice fees £517 
• Bank transfer fees (UK) £36 
• Bank transfer fees (overseas) £72 
• ID searches per executor/beneficiary 
/legatee £32  
• Overseas ID and bankruptcy searches are country dependant 
• Property clearance fees 
• Property valuation fees 
• Formal tax returns (potentially) 
Full administration where lay executors appointed in the Will 
• 0.5% of any residential property 
• 1% of the remaining gross estate 
• Hourly rate for time spent. 
 
Estimate of time required can be provided upon receipt of facts and paperwork* 
• Probate application fee £300 
• Extra copy Grant of probate £1.50 per copy 
• Copy deeds £3 per property 
• ID searches per executor £32 
• Statutory notice fees £517 
• Bank transfer fees (UK) £36 
• Bank transfer fees (overseas) £72 
• ID searches per beneficiary or legatee £8 
• Overseas ID and bankruptcy searches are country dependant 
• Property clearance fees 
• Property valuation fees 
• Formal tax returns (potentially) 
*A small estate may take anywhere between 10-25 hours. Larger and more complex estate including those that are taxable for inheritance tax may take 40 hours +. 
 
Based on a solicitor undertaking the work a small estate (10-25 hours) may cost £2,500-£6,250 + VAT. So (£3,000) to (£7,500) to deal with in respect of their hourly rate/time, and a large taxable estate (40 hours +) may take approximately £10,000 + VAT. So (£12,000). 
 
An illustrative example of an estate worth £500,000.00 made up of a property of £300,000.00 and accounts of £200,000.00 may be charged as follows:- 
 
0.5% + VAT of the value of the residence = 0.5% + VAT of £300,000.00 = £1,500 + VAT so (£1,800). 1% + VAT of the remaining gross estate= 1% + VAT of £200,000.00= £2,000 + VAT so (£2,400). Hourly rate of 10-25 hours for a small estate charged at the solicitor rate of £250 + VAT = £2,500 to £6,250 + VAT. So (£3,000) to (£7,500) 
 
Please ask us for an estimate of costings for full administration as the costs are dependent on what is involved and included in the estate. Where possible and preferable we can agree a capped fixed fee at the outset. 
Laura Stafford 
Solicitor & Head of Private Client 
 
Phone: 0113 200 7480 
 
Email: ls@averywalters.com 
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* Laura Stafford is the SFE accredited memberand a full member of STEP