I have an issue with a will or probate ====================================== Vardags offers a premium service for high net worth individuals who require assistance with wills or probate. If you would like to create or alter your will, need help with administering an estate (probate) or require assistance in contesting a will, Vardags can help. "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge Overview -------- Probate is the entire process for managing and distributing the assets of a person who has died. We understand that bereavement can be a very emotional event and our supportive team will help you every step of the way. TeaM ---- One of our leading solicitors, Gregory Monk, has a wealth of experience handling work relating to the administration of estates; drafting of Wills; estate planning; and Powers of Attorney. During his career, Gregory has been involved in many high value and complex estate administration cases involving UK and international assets. What Does Our Probate Service Provide? -------------------------------------- We offer a full estate administration service, guiding you through the process from start to finish. The service would typically include: - An initial meeting to take your instructions. - A review of the deceased's Will, or where there is no Will, guidance on the application of the Intestacy Rules, advising on who can administer the estate, as well as identifying beneficiaries and highlighting any issues that may affect the Grant of Probate/ Letters of Administration. - Identifying and investigating the assets and liabilities of the estate, including arranging professional valuations of property, investments and other assets. - Calculating the initial inheritance tax that is due. - Preparing probate papers and tax forms. - Liaising with HMRC in relation to the Inheritance Tax liability of the estate, and arranging the payment of inheritance tax. - Applying for and obtaining the Grant of Representation from the Probate Registry. - Assembling together the assets of the estate and/or transferring them to the beneficiaries. - Handling any income or capital gains tax liabilities of the estate. - Arranging the preparation of the final estate accounts. - Distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries either directly or via a lifetime or will trust. What is the Cost of Applying for Probate? ----------------------------------------- The exact cost depends on the individual circumstances of the matter, including: - The size of the estate. - The complexity of the estate as well as the deceased's financial affairs, including whether there is a large number of bank accounts, stocks or other investments. - If the estate includes foreign assets, trusts, or business interests. - Whether the deceased left a Will (and how well it was drafted), or whether the estate passes under the Intestacy Rules. We charge based on the time spend administering the estate. Our hourly rates are between £205 to £245 plus VAT for trainees and £495 plus VAT for solicitors. We can only provide an estimate of the likely costs of our probate services once we have fully discussed the matter with you and reviewed the paperwork. However, we can provide an indication of our likely fees associated with work of varying complexity. Low complexity - from £10,000 to £20,000 plus VAT Mid complexity - from £20,000 to £40,000 plus VAT High complexity - in excess of £50,000 plus VAT Disbursements ------------- In addition to our fees, there are also third party costs (known as "disbursements"). We handle these payments on your behalf, to ensure that the administration progresses smoothly and efficiently. Examples of these fees are as follows: Probate court fee £155 plus £1.50 per copy Advert posted in the London Gazette - Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors. £92 plus VAT Advert posted in local newspaper - This helps to protect against unexpected claims. Variable Landmark Financial Assets Search (Lost Assets Search) £155 plus VAT Copy of death certificates (per copy) £11-15 Copy of divorce papers £10 - £45 depending on whether court and case number known Potential Additional Costs -------------------------- Additional costs to those set out above may arise for various case specific reasons, including, but are not limited to: - Any challenge including those relating to the validity of the Will, entitlement to the grant of probate, and by beneficiaries and third parties in relation to any distribution to be made, or that has been made. - Liaising with lawyers, accountants or representatives regarding any overseas elements of the estate. - Litigation involving the estate as a claimant or defendant. - Obtaining legal services to sell estate assets; and - Arranging tax advice outside of the service set out above (for example, working with an accountant in relation to income tax or capital gains tax returns). How Long Does Probate Take? --------------------------- On average, estates that fall under the inheritance tax threshold are resolved within 12 to 18 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of probate takes 6 to 8 months, followed by the collection of assets, which can take between 8 to 12 weeks. Once this has been finalised, the assets can be distributed, which normally takes 4-8 weeks. Sometimes estates can be finalised much quicker, depending on the turnaround times at HMRC and the probate registry. Higher value and more complex estates (especially if the distribution of the estate is disputed) can take far longer to finalise. Is Vardags Right For You? ------------------------- We offer a free consultation to qualifying individuals. Please call our confidential enquiry line on **020 7404 9390**. Lines are staffed 24 hours. When you contact us a member of our client relations team will take the full details of your situation, assess whether we can assist you, and if so, determine the best team for your case. Media Highlights ---------------- [Time Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine](http://time.com/5037316/britain-divorce-london-capital-ayesha-vardag/ "Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine") [BBC News David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7279887504982302720 "David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News") [The Telegraph 'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/06/homemaker-ex-wife-laura-ashley-boss-wins-third-200m-income-payout/ "'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout") [The Telegraph Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/brexit-stopped-us-getting-our-abducted-children-back/ "Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph") [The Times Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce](https://www.thetimes.com/article/12c7dc62-6d9f-4c75-9314-b17a9d4fc98f?shareToken=3393e3e3e8101b72a28c6d95a1c641fe "Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce") OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES -------------------------- Vardags is one of the UK's leading divorce law firms. We specialise in complex, high net worth and international cases. The Legal 500 has said of Vardags: "The team is noted for its sheer intellect" [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/divorce "Divorce") Vardags is among the leading family law firms in the UK. Our solicitors specialise in complex cases for high net worth individuals, including international child relocation, child abduction, and prenuptial agreements. The Legal 500 has said that "clients feel in totally safe hands" with Vardags' Children & Family lawyers. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/children-and-family "Children & Family") Our reputation and privacy team, headed by top media lawyer Alex McCready, works in and out of the public eye on cases involving defamation, privacy and reputation management. We provide expert advice and representation across the full range of reputation and privacy related matters, including crisis management, emergency injunctions and actions against online and new media. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/reputation-privacy "Reputation & Privacy") Vardags is a leading UK law firm with expertise in complex disputes relating to a range of corporate law matters. Our team has a wealth of expertise to help clients with their legal needs. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/corporate "Corporate") Vardags is a successful and rapidly-growing law firm with an outstanding reputation for winning cases. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/criminal-defence "Criminal Defence") Vardags is a top law firm with a trailblazing fertility and surrogacy department. We have had success with some of the most groundbreaking cases of the last decade in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, with rulings that have changed the law. Vardags remains at the cutting edge of fertility law, pushing for further improvement of the outdated legislation in place in Britain. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/fertility-surrogacy "Fertility & Surrogacy") Vardags' civil litigation team is renowned for its nous and its consistent ability to deliver results. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/commercial-civil-litigation "Commercial & Civil Litigation") Vardags' wills and trusts team has the specific expertise to cater to the wills and trusts needs of high-net-worth and high-profile individuals. Richard Todd QC, Leading Counsel for Yasmin Prest said of Vardags: "a note to acknowledge your firm's pivotal role in achieving such an outstanding result in the recent Supreme Court case of Petrodel v Prest". [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/wills-trusts "Wills, Trusts and Probate") Vardags is a leading family law firm with specialist expertise in assisting clients who are experiencing domestic abuse. We appreciate that those in abusive relationships may face difficulties contacting us. We can provide additional discretion, such as arranging alternative meeting places and talking via our WhatsApp service. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/domestic-abuse "Domestic Abuse Lawyers") [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/sje-and-shadow-experts "Single Joint Experts & Shadow Experts")