SELLING YOUR EXISTING LEASEHOLD HOME
We only undertake this work reluctantly for existing clients where we previously acted in the past on the purchase of the home. The work is complicated and involves the assistance of professional management companies or amateur tenants running blocks of flats. The former often charge extortionate sums for doing very little and sometimes very slowly. The latter try their best but are not always very efficient. There is no requirement to publish costs information for existing clients who should ask about our fees when first contacting us about these matters.



APPLYING FOR A GRANT OF PROBATE
- collecting and distributing the assets - uncontested cases - with all assets in the UK
Probate work is carried out by Stephen Butler, LLM, a solicitor who has been doing such work since 1975, and his wife Kate Butler, a chartered accountant who has been doing such work since at least 1980.

Surprisingly the SRA guidance for giving probate information is very short even though this is much more complicated work than conveyancing and takes months rather than weeks. It is an almost impossible task to give accurate information.

We never offer a fixed fee for this work.
We anticipate the work will take between ten and twenty hours work at £160 per hour. Total costs estimated at £1,600 to £3,200 (+VAT). We also charge an extra amount known as a Value Element, which is at least 0.5% of the value of the estate.
The exact cost of the tiem spent in working on the matter will depend on its individual circumstances. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end.

We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:

- There is a valid will with no more than two executors named and my firm is not named as an executor
- There is no more than one property
- There are no more than five bank or building society accounts
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are up to five beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this will inevitably 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
- There are no claims made against the estate which would inevitably lead to an increase in costs

As part of our costs for the limited work listed above we will:
- Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
- Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
- Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
- Complete the Probate Application and the relevant HMRC forms
- Draft a legal oath for you to swear
- Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
- Obtain the Probate
- Collect and distribute all intangible assets in the estate

In other cases not listed above the cost will be higher because there will be more work involved and it will take longer. It is impossible to advise about the amount of the extra costs without more information but we are happy to do so when we know the full facts.