Probate

Lubbock Fine Probate LLP is licensed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales.

Probate & Estate Administration

At Lubbock Fine Probate LLP, we recognise that probate is rarely just a legal formality. For many estates, particularly those involving business interests, investments or inheritance tax exposure, the process requires careful financial and tax judgement alongside estate administration.

As an ICAEW-licensed probate firm, we provide executors and families with a professional, regulated and technically robust service across England and Wales.

Our approach combines clarity, diligence and technical expertise to guide clients confidently through what can often be a complex and sensitive process.

About Lubbock Fine Probate LLP

Lubbock Fine Probate LLP is authorised and regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), one of the approved legal services regulators in England and Wales.

We are able to draw upon significant experience in private client tax and business advisory matters where appropriate and all reserved probate services are carried out by Lubbock Fine Probate LLP which is a regulated entity.

Our regulation ensures we meet strict professional, ethical and client money handling standards.

Our Probate Services

Our probate services include:

Applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
Identifying and valuing estate assets and liabilities
Calculating and reporting Inheritance Tax
Liaising with HMRC and financial institutions
Settling debts and distributing assets
Dealing with any outstanding tax returns of the deceased
Advising on tax planning options for the Estate or heirs
Advice and assistance with the administration of Trusts (where necessary in liaison with specialist lawyers)
Preparing estate accounts and tax returns

We act for executors and administrators across England and Wales.

Where appropriate, we may also act as professional executors.

Probate frequently involves complex financial and tax considerations.

Estates may include:

Private company shareholdings
Investment portfolios
Property interests
Business Property Relief claims
Ongoing income or capital gains tax matters

Lubbock Fine Probate LLP benefits from close working relationships within Lubbock Fine LLP, enabling a coordinated and technically informed approach where estates involve business or tax complexity.

Our regulation by ICAEW provides clients with reassurance that we meet high professional standards and are subject to independent oversight.

While every estate differs, the typical stages of a probate matter include:

Initial consultation and confirmation of instructions
Identifying and valuing estate assets and liabilities and preparing IHT forms
Submission of the probate application to the Probate Registry
Collection of estate assets and settlement of liabilities, including tax
Distribution of assets to beneficiaries and preparation of final estate accounts

We will explain each stage clearly and keep you informed throughout.

The length of the probate process varies depending on the complexity of the estate.

As a general guide:

Straightforward estates: typically 4–6 months
More complex estates: 6–12 months or longer

Factors that may affect timescales include:

Whether Inheritance Tax is payable
Delays in receiving information from financial institutions
The sale of property or overseas assets
Disputes between beneficiaries or third parties

We will provide a more tailored estimate once we understand your specific circumstances.

We are committed to transparency in pricing, while recognising that every estate is different.

The final cost will depend on the complexity of the estate, the services required, and the extent of executor involvement.

We do not charge fees based on a percentage of the estate value. Our fees reflect the time, expertise and responsibility involved in administering the estate.

How our fees are calculated

Our probate work is normally charged on a time spent basis, using the hourly rates set out below. Where appropriate, we may agree a fixed fee for clearly defined limited scope work.

Hourly rates (exclusive of VAT)

Partner / Director — £450 - £575 per hour
Senior Manager / Associate Director — £325 - £400 per hour
Manager — £225 - £275 per hour
Senior / Assistant — £80 - 150 per hour

The mix of staff involved will depend on the nature of the work, with appropriate supervision throughout.

Indicative fee ranges (illustrative only)

The examples below are typical fee ranges for common probate scenarios. They are not fixed quotations, but are intended to help prospective clients understand likely costs.

Probate and inheritance tax compliance only

(“Grant only” service)

This typically includes:

reviewing the Will and executor entitlement
valuing estate assets and liabilities
preparing and submitting inheritance tax forms
applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
dealing with routine HMRC and Probate Registry queries

Indicative fees:

£3,000 – £6,000 + VAT, plus disbursements

This assumes:

a valid UK Will
one UK property
a limited number of bank or investment accounts
no unusual assets or disputes
executor assistance with information gathering

Probate with partial estate administration

This typically includes:

all of the above, plus
collecting in assets
paying estate liabilities
preparing estate accounts
making interim and/or final distributions

Indicative fees:

£7,500 – £15,000 + VAT, plus disbursements

Full estate administration (including tax reporting)

This typically includes:

full probate and estate administration
inheritance tax compliance and clearances
estate income tax and capital gains tax reporting
liaison with beneficiaries and third parties
preparation of final estate accounts

Indicative fees:

£10,000 – £20,000 + VAT, plus disbursements

Estates with overseas assets, trusts, business interests, or complex tax issues may fall above these ranges.

Disbursements are costs payable to third parties and are charged in addition to our fees. Typical disbursements include:

Probate Registry application fee (currently £300)
Official copies of the Grant (£1.50 each)
Bankruptcy searches (£6 per UK beneficiary)
Statutory notices (eg London Gazette)
Asset valuations (eg property, shares, business interests)

We will always explain anticipated disbursements in advance.

Fees may increase where, for example:

there is no valid Will (intestacy)
inheritance tax planning or negotiations are required
assets are difficult to value or located overseas
there are trusts, business interests or lifetime gifts
beneficiaries are numerous or difficult to trace
There is a large number or complex assets
Delays are experienced in obtaining information or legal documentation
disputes or claims arise

If it appears that costs are likely to exceed the original estimate, we will discuss this with the executors before proceeding. A personalised estimate of fees will be provided once we understand the nature and complexity of the estate. All fee arrangements will be confirmed in writing through an engagement letter.

VAT is charged on our fees, but not always on disbursements. This will be made clear in your quotation.

We do not pay or receive referral fees. If this ever applies in your matter, we will explain this in writing and obtain your consent.

Unless specifically agreed, our probate fees do not include:

Conveyancing work relating to the sale or transfer of property
Ongoing trust administration following estate distribution
Contentious probate or dispute resolution matters

If additional services are required, we will discuss and agree separate arrangements with you.

Lubbock Fine Probate LLP is authorised and regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) for probate services.

Our ICAEW probate registration number is: C011005692.

You can verify our registration on the ICAEW Legal Services Register at www.icaew.com/legalservicesregister.

As a regulated firm:

We are monitored by ICAEW to ensure we meet professional and ethical standards.
We comply with ICAEW’s Legal Services Regulations and Code of Ethics.
We maintain professional indemnity insurance.
We must meet stringent accounting rules to safeguard client funds.
You may refer unresolved complaints to the Legal Ombudsman, subject to the applicable time limits.
You may be eligible to claim under the ICAEW Probate Compensation Scheme.

In the unlikely event that we cannot meet our liabilities to you, you may be able to seek a grant from the ICAEW’s Probate Compensation Scheme.

Applications for a grant must generally be made within 12 months of the time you became aware, or reasonably ought to have become aware, of the loss.

Further information about the scheme and eligibility is available on ICAEW’s website.

At Lubbock Fine Probate LLP, we aim to provide the highest level of service. If at any point you are unhappy with the service you have received, or something concerns you, please let us know as soon as possible so we can try to put things right.

Our Probate Complaints Partner is:

Phil Blackburn
PhilBlackburn@lubbockfine.co.uk

We will acknowledge your complaint within five business days of receipt and aim to resolve the matter within eight weeks.

If we are unable to resolve your complaint internally, you may refer it to the Legal Ombudsman, which investigates complaints about legal services providers.

Legal Ombudsman contact details:

T: 0300 555 0333
Post: Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6167, Slough SL1 0EH, UK
E: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

The time limits for referring a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman are:

Within six months of our final response;
One year from the date of the act or omission being complained about; or
One year from the date when you should reasonably have realised there was cause for complaint.

If your complaint relates to professional misconduct rather than service quality, you may contact ICAEW. Further information is available on ICAEW’s website.