Wills, trusts and probate

Wills, trusts and probate solicitors

Whether you are making or updating a will, acting as an executor or dealing with the estate of someone who has died, we guide you through every step with care.

Make an enquiry Call 01543 263 456

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Your wills, trusts and probate team

Legally Sound podcast

Wills and probate explained

With Rebecca Head, Director

In short

Ansons Law's wills, trusts and probate solicitors help you make or update a will, plan for inheritance tax and care fees, set up trusts and create lasting powers of attorney. When someone dies, we help executors and families apply for probate or letters of administration, administer the estate and resolve estate disputes. We offer free lifetime will storage, and our typical fee for a grant application starts at £1,250 plus VAT where there is a will and no inheritance tax to pay.

Head of wills, probate and trusts: David Lane, Director
Will storage: Free lifetime will storage
Probate fees from: £1,250 + VAT for a grant application, £2,000 + VAT for full administration (with a will, no inheritance tax)
STEP qualified (TEP): Deborah Beal, Rebecca Head, Tracey Lane and Adrian Schuck
Price information: Our published fees and timescales

Services

Our wills, trusts and probate services

Each service has its own page with what is involved and answers to common questions.

How do you approach planning for the future?

We take the time to understand your circumstances and priorities before we advise, so the advice is tailored, clear and practical.

We look at your whole financial picture, identifying opportunities for tax efficiency, asset protection and long-term planning, so that your wishes are carried out as you intend.

Can you help when someone has died?

Yes. We help executors and families apply for probate or letters of administration and deal with the estate, guiding you through what can be a difficult time.

Our full estate administration service covers valuing the estate for probate and inheritance tax, preparing the HMRC account and paying any tax due, applying for the grant, collecting in the assets, settling debts and expenses, paying legacies and distributing the rest of the estate to the beneficiaries.

Fees

What probate costs

Our typical fees for probate and estate administration, for uncontested estates where all the assets are in the UK, excluding VAT:

Scenario	Grant application only	Full administration
Will present, no inheritance tax payable	from £1,250	from £2,000
No will, no inheritance tax payable	from £1,500	from £2,250
Will present, inheritance tax payable	from £2,500	from £4,000
No will, inheritance tax payable	from £3,000	from £4,500

The probate application court fee is £562 plus £2 per additional copy. We always give you a tailored estimate once we have enough information about the estate.

Timescales, third-party costs and what can affect the fee are on our pricing information page.

Ask for an estimate

The team

Your wills, trusts and probate team

The solicitors who handle wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney and estates at Ansons Law. Every card opens the person's profile.

Meet the whole team

Director, Head of Wills, Probate and Trusts David Lane

Director Deborah Beal

Director Rebecca Head

Associate Director Tracey Lane

Associate Director Adrian Schuck

Senior Associate Solicitor Satnaam Kaur

Associate Solicitor Abigail Booth

Solicitor Abby Dayman

Trainee Solicitor Kara McLean

Questions

Wills and probate questions

How much does probate cost?

Our typical fees, excluding VAT, start at £1,250 for a grant application where there is a will and no inheritance tax to pay, and at £2,000 for full estate administration in the same situation. Estates without a will, or where inheritance tax is payable, cost more. The probate application court fee of £562 is paid on top. We give you a tailored estimate once we know about the estate.

How long does probate take?

As a guide, a grant application takes around three months where there is a will and six months where there is not. A full administration of a straightforward estate with a will and no inheritance tax typically takes 6 to 12 months. Timescales depend heavily on HMRC and Probate Registry processing times, and we keep you updated throughout.

Do you store wills?

Yes. We offer a free lifetime will storage service.

What does your estate administration service include?

It typically includes checking the will, identifying the executors and beneficiaries, valuing the estate, preparing the HMRC account and paying any inheritance tax, applying for the grant, collecting in the assets, settling liabilities, paying legacies, preparing estate accounts and distributing the estate. Any sale or transfer of property in the estate is quoted separately by our property team.

Can you help if there is a dispute about a will or an estate?

Yes. We advise on estate disputes and family disagreements. See estate disputes and family disagreements.