probate fees transparency

bunnygo

I am planning to do the actual probate application myself (for all the good reasons listed on here) but think I need some help with the RNRB claim (including a transferred one) and getting the resulting IHT forms right even if there is nothing to pay.

solicitor wants £500 plus for meeting to discuss this and advise what the fees will be. I see the SRA say solicitors should be transparent with pricing upfront...but looking on a couple of websites, they don't seem to be!

Should I expect transparency on initial fees? (even if just an hourly rate) - and will a solictor do this 'half and half' or am I wasting my time?

I did the 'first death' probate application but this is the second one so more complex.

thanks for any thoughts. 

Keep_pedalling

My initial thoughts are that you probably don’t need a solicitor at all. Do you definitely need to claim the RNRB? What is the total value of the estate and what was the marital status of the deceased?

DancingBadger

I've just completed a 'second death' probate application with an RNRB transfer, and I found it very straightforward as the calculation was automatically done for me when completing the IHT400 online.

bunnygo

thanks both. 2nd deceased was widow of first, and value is probably just under £1m, so do need to claim both RNRBs. if it is automatic that will save a lot of trouble!

still at early stages - valuations first, of course.

Keep_pedalling

bunnygo said:

thanks both. 2nd deceased was widow of first, and value is probably just under £1m, so do need to claim both RNRBs. if it is automatic that will save a lot of trouble!

still at early stages - valuations first, of course.

It is not automatic you have to apply with the IHT return. This may look daunting but just work your way through it slowly and if you get stuck on anything I am sure you will find the right support here. Employing a solicitor to do this is not only expensive it is also highly likely to take a lot longer.

bunnygo

thank you for replies. I've now read some of the 95 page guidance and it does all look less daunting. My concern about using a solicitor is indeed the delay and the loss of control. When I did this before the application was stopped, I was able to escalate it myself and then probate was granted straight away. A solicitor will just put us in the queue and charge extra.

as I was the attorney (which I know has now ended) I know exactly where the money was and all the other necessary details. And I have the enduring power of attorney (it was the old style one) which I think may need to be sent in as well.

Keep_pedalling

bunnygo said:

thank you for replies. I've now read some of the 95 page guidance and it does all look less daunting. My concern about using a solicitor is indeed the delay and the loss of control. When I did this before the application was stopped, I was able to escalate it myself and then probate was granted straight away. A solicitor will just put us in the queue and charge extra.

as I was the attorney (which I know has now ended) I know exactly where the money was and all the other necessary details. And I have the enduring power of attorney (it was the old style one) which I think may need to be sent in as well.

Having in-depth knowledge of the testator’s finances makes your task so much easier. 

Runner_Duck

At first sight it all looks incredibly daunting but once you break it down into individual forms it is very doable.  One thing I did find was that sometimes the behind the scenes calculations in the online pdf forms did not always calculate correctly. 

kipperman

Another vote for DIY - so much help on this forum. We saved an enormous amount on solicitors fees, but far more importantly as mentioned above, remained in control throughout. No hard to contact middlemen.