Pricing
Our Fees
Hilcrest Solicitors GB Limited provides transparent and realistic cost estimates at the outset of your matter, and, if need be, at regular intervals thereafter.
We have a reputation for providing a high level of service at a cost which is extremely competitive. Please see below for our price guide.
However, please note that in the case of probate, the exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of each matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary, no property and no inheritance tax to pay, then costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, one or more houses and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end. If there are disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets, or there are claims made against the estate, this is also likely to lead to an increase in costs.
We can help you through the process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf. This includes identifying the type of Probate application you will require, obtaining the relevant documents required to make the application, completing the Probate Application and the relevant HM Revenue and Customs forms, drafting the legal oath for you to swear, making the application to the Probate Court on your behalf, obtaining the Probate and providing copies to you and collecting and distributing all assets in the estate.
Please note that work involving (but not limited to) the following, are not included in our fixed fee
structure:
- Sale of property.
- Missing original Will.
- Missing beneficiaries
- Overseas assets
- Deed of Variation or any other form of estate planning.
- Creating a Trust out of the Will and registering the same with HMRC.
- All work of a contentious nature.
On average, the entire probate and estate administration process are dealt with within 6-12 months. Straightforward estates with no property to deal with or that are under the threshold for inheritance tax can be completed faster than this quite often because there is no inheritance tax to pay and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HM Revenue and Customs. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate in such cases takes 3-6 weeks. Collecting assets then follows, which can take between 2-7 weeks. Once this has been done, we can then distribute the assets, which normally takes between 1-2 weeks. On the other hand, more complex estates can take far longer, especially if there are lots of properties or overseas assets.
Second, in the case of residential conveyancing, fees and disbursements (i.e. costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, e.g. the Land Registry) can vary dependent on factors such as the property’s value, if it is a leasehold transaction, whether or not there is a mortgage, etc. Such variations can result in significantly higher charges than the amounts given below. Further, some disbursements, e.g., notice(s) and searches fees, are set by third parties, such as freeholders, management companies, local authorities, etc., over whom we have no control. We handle the payment of these on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. Furthermore, how long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. On average, however, the process takes around 8 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. Or, if you are a first time buyer purchasing a (new build) property; or if you are buying a leasehold property that may or may not require an extension of the lease; or if the legal title is defective or the property is unregistered; or there are building regulations or planning issues, etc. In those cases, it can take significantly longer – between 2 and 5 months. In such situations, additional charges would apply. Some key stages of the transaction, as well as the basis of our costs are set out on the Services page of our website.
Third, in the case of our fixed fee debt recovery service, the fixed fee is only applicable where your claim is in relation to an unpaid invoice which is not disputed (i.e. undefended claims), and no enforcement action is needed. If your debt claim becomes defended at any point, then we reserve the right to charge the applicable hourly rate set out in our retainer letter to you. Further, the court fee, dependent on the amount of your claim, is between £35 and £10,000. Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding resulting in a higher fee. Furthermore, if judgment is obtained but not paid, further action will be required to enforce payment. We will discuss with you separately, any third-party fees (e.g. court, enforcement officers, etc.) for enforcement. Please note that we reserve the right to charge an additional fee if we are required to arrange for third party enforcement. The services included in our Debt Recovery work and some key stages/ timescales are set out on the Services page of our website.
Fees Guide
| Nature of Matter | Basic Fees, VAT on top (currently at 20%) and Disbursements |
Debt Recovery – Debt value up to £10,000 Debt Recovery – Debt value £10,001 – £100,000 | £1,750 – £4,750 (plus 20% VAT) + Court Fee of £35 – £455 £4,750 – £8,750 (plus 20% VAT) + Court Fee of 5% of the value of the claim |
| Divorce—We offer a fixed fee for divorce itself, but finances and children are dealt with at our hourly rate | £900 plus VAT of £180 (for uncontested divorces) plus Court Fee |
| Drafting of employment agreements – Perusing agreements and advising | £750 plus VAT of £150 |
| Drafting of tenancy agreements – Perusing agreements and advising | Between £500 and £700 plus 20% VAT |
| Landlord and Tenant (residential): For landlord: straightforward obtaining of possession. Proceedings not defended. | £1,500 plus VAT of £300 and Court Fee (excluding fee to prepare/ serve notices) |
| Obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration (non-contentious). | £800 – £2,000 plus 20% VAT, plus third-party costs (e.g., Valuers, Probate Registry, etc.) |
| Administration of estates (non-contentious) | £2,000 – £6,000 plus 20% VAT and third-party costs (e.g., posts in The London Gazette and in a local newspaper – these protect against unexpected claims from unknown creditors) |
| Single Will | £350 plus VAT of £70 |
| Mirror Will | £650 plus VAT of £130 |
| Will with a life interest (single) | £550 plus VAT of £110 |
| Will with a life interest (mirror) | £900 plus VAT of £150 |
| Depending on your personal circumstances and instructions, the following additional fees may be added to our fees: | |
| Letters to third parties i.e., doctor’s: mental capacity assessment | £375 plus VAT of £75 |
| Home/ Hospital visit (depending on distance) | £275 – £550 plus 20% VAT. This is in addition to our basic fees. |
| Expedited Service (depending on urgency) | £400 – £650 plus 20% VAT. This is in addition to our basic fees. |
| Residential conveyancing | |
Sale – Freehold or Leasehold – up to £375,000 Sale – Freehold or Leasehold – over £375,000 | £1,000 plus VAT of £200 Freehold – 0.3% fee + 20% VAT. Leasehold – 0.33% fee + 20% VAT |
Purchase – Freehold or Leasehold – up to £375,000 Purchase – Freehold or Leasehold – over £375,000 | £1100 plus VAT of £220 Freehold – 0.33% fee + 20% VAT. Leasehold – 0.35% fee + 20% VAT |
| Notice of transfer fee: This fee, if chargeable, is usually set out in the lease. | Between £0 and £450 plus 20% VAT |
Notice of charge fee: (if the property is to be mortgaged). Deed of covenant fee: (if applicable). The notice of charge fee, deed of covenant fee and certificate of compliance fee are also usually set out in the lease. Certificate of compliance fee: (again, if applicable) | Between £0 and £450 plus 20% VAT This fee is levied by the property’s management company, or by the freeholder, and can be difficult to estimate. To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease. |
| HM land registry fee: | Variable (depending on transaction type and property value) |
| Search fees: Prices could increase depending on location of the property/ searches required | Between £250 and £650 plus VAT of 20% |
| Stamp duty land tax: | Variable (depending on transaction type and property value). You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website |
| Solicitors’ letter – one letter any type of matter | £375 plus VAT of £75 |