Probate with Chamberlain Martin Solicitors, based in Littlehampton & Bognor Regis , West Sussex.

Chamberlain Martin Solicitors serve clients throughout West Sussex, including Rustington, East Preston, Aldwick, Worthing, Chichester, and more.

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Probate

On death, the Executors named in the Will of the deceased (or the administrators where there is no Will) are responsible for dealing with the administration of the estate, which includes implementing the provisions of the Will.

The role of Executor can include organising the funeral, ascertaining details of the assets and liabilities, preparation of Inheritance Tax forms, paying Inheritance Tax, obtaining a Grant of Probate required to release assets and transfer or sell property, Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

Each estate will be entirely different, especially depending on the circumstances and whether anyone attempts to contest the Will, so it is not possible to provide an exact estimate of the length of time it takes for a Will to go through probate, however, they take 6 months to a year on average.

We can alleviate the burden by acting on your behalf. Our probate department deals with a wide range of Estates, large and small, simple or complicated. We aim to make the process as straightforward as possible, but family problems or difficulties with assets and liabilities or Tax complications can arise, and all our experience helps guide and support you through what can be a stressful time. If you are an Executor appointed in a Will and would rather deal with most things yourself, we can obtain the Grant of Probate on your behalf and you can do the rest, we can do as much or as little as you want us to.

We can also help you to make tax savings, for example varying the Will by Deed of Variation which could save you thousands of pounds.

Where an Estate includes a family home and the Executors decide to part with the property, our Conveyancing Department can deal with the sale.

Please contact our Private Client Department for a quote, we offer both fixed fees and hourly rate charges. Please contact Emma Lake or Karen Shea at our bognor office Telephone 01243 825211 or contact Sarah McGee at our Littlehampton office Telephone 01903 713814.

As a guide for obtaining a Grant of Probate ONLY where figures are provided to us, we charge £1,200 – £2,200 plus £240 – £440 (VAT @ 20%) plus disbursements were a full inheritance tax account is required. We charge £1,000 plus £200 (VAT @ 20%) plus disbursements where a full inheritance tax account is NOT required. Our fees include taking instructions, completing the relevant Inheritance Tax Return, drafting the Oath, settling the Inheritance Tax position (if applicable) and making the application to the Probate Registry. Our total fees will be dependent on the complexity of the application, the amount of information provided by the Personal Representatives and whether we are required to make enquiries of the relevant institutions to obtain date of death valuations.

We also provide a more comprehensive service, which we charge on an hourly rate basis from £255 plus £51 (VAT @ 20%) plus disbursements, This service involves advising you on the probate process and taking your instructions notifying the relevant companies of the deceased’s passing, determining value of assets at date of death, determining all outstanding liabilities owed by the estate, completing the required inheritance tax forms, settling any inheritance due (if applicable), making the application for the grant of probate to the Probate Registry, notifying the beneficiaries of their legacies, drafting estate accounts, settling outstanding liabilities upon release of closing balances and distributing legacies to beneficiaries. Given that our total fees are based on the spent dealing they are dependant on the complexity of the estate, the number of assets, the amount of information provided by executors as well as a variety of other factors. Once we have an idea of what the matter involves we will be able to provide you with a estimate as to the total costs.

Anticipated Additional Disbursements
– Court fee currently – £300.00 plus £1.50 per sealed copy
– UK Bankruptcy Search fees – £2.00 plus £0.40 (VAT @ 20%) per beneficiary/executor (It does not related to the deceased). International Bankruptcy Fees – approximately £50.00-£300 plus VAT @ 20%
– Land Registry copy documents – £3.00 (if applicable) plus £0.60 (VAT @ 20%)
– ID check is £50 plus £10 (VAT @ 20%) per beneficiary/executor
– Section 27 notice up to £350 plus £70 (VAT @ 20%)

The team at CMS is made up of two Probate Managers with excess of 20 years experience in the department and is supervised by Sarah McGee a Solicitor with over 10 years experience in this area of the law.

ServicePrice (excl. VAT)Price (incl. VAT)
Wills
Single Will (standard)£210£252
Mirror Wills (standard)£360£432
Single Will with trust (including lifetime interest)£350£420
Mirror Wills with trusts (including lifetime interest)£600£720
Codicils each (£240 for a couple)£120£144
More complicated by the hour£255 per hour+ VAT
Lasting Powers of Attorney
For one (HW or PA)£300£360
For two (HW & PA or one each for a couple)£450£540
For four (HW & PA for a couple)£800£960
Plus registration fee of £82 per LPA
Packages
Single Will (standard) with 2 LPAs£550£660
Mirror Wills (standard) with 2 LPAs£725£870
Mirror Wills (standard) with 4 LPAs£1,000£1,200
Single Will (with trust) with 2 LPAs£725£870
Mirror Wills (with trust) with 2 LPAs£950£1,140
Mirror Wills (with trust) with 4 LPAs£1,300£1,560
Plus registration fee of £82 per LPA
Plus ID check £30.00 inc VAT

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