We advise on the management and administration of estates and trusts.
At a time of bereavement, you can rely on our lawyers’ compassion and sensitivity. If you wish, you can instruct us to act in an administrative capacity for trustees and executors. We can advise beneficiaries on ways they might be able to mitigate inheritance tax through the use of past death variations of Wills.
We have been assisting our clients in this area since the firm was established in the 1950s.
It is a matter of public record that we have acted in relation to the following high profile estates: Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Sir Anthony & Lady Quayle, Sir Dirk Bogarde, Michael Powell, Sir Stanley Baker, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Dorothy Sayers, Dame Agatha Christie, Graham Greene and Dylan Thomas.
We can advise you on:
- Administration of estates
- Creation, termination and administration of trusts
- Disputes regarding Wills, trusts and probate including incapacity, undue influence and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 claims.
Zoë Camp
Partner
E: zoe.camp@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Sofie Hoffman
Partner
E: sofie.hoffman@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Chris Moorcroft
Partner
E: chris.moorcroft@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Alexa Collis
Partner
E: alexa.collis@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Andrew Reay
Probate Manager
E: andrew.reay@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Our fees for Probate work (in this example includes applying for the grant, collecting and distributing assets) are estimated fees and based on our experience of the likely work involved for estates where:
- There is a valid, original Will.
- All assets are in the UK.
- There is no more than one property.
- There are accounts at no more than two separate banks or building societies.
- There are no other intangible assets.
- There are no more than three beneficiaries.
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries or claims against the estate. If disputes or claims arise for any reason 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.
We anticipate that our total costs would be between £3,500 and £6,000. These fees are subject to VAT and a minimum fee of £3,500 plus VAT.
Our fees will be subject to an agreed scope of work and we will tell you if we expect the fee to be higher, based on the facts of the particular estate. Third party costs and taxes are not included in our fee estimate.
Further information on our fees, third party costs, taxes and the stages involved in Probate can be found here.
How long will my matter take?
Estates that fall within this range will usually take between six and twelve months to conclude.
Who will deal with my matter?
The solicitors in the department are in the ‘Our team’ tab above. The solicitors in the department are all very experienced in dealing with Probate matters.
In each case, associate solicitors will be supervised by one of the partners or senior associates.
