Wills

Your Will may be prepared for a fixed fee which we will agree with you.  A standard Will for an individual dealing with a straightforward estate will cost a minimum of £200.00 plus VAT. In most cases we offer a discount for straightforward husband and wife Wills and will advise you on the amount that you will have to pay either at the initial interview or once the Will is prepared. By way of example, simple husband and wife mirror Wills which do not include any inheritance tax advice or asset protection type arrangements will normally cost £375.00 plus VAT. A more complex Will involving provision for asset protection starts at £750.00 plus VAT for both husband and wife.

In complex estates where assets are significant and inheritance tax planning is required, then we undertake work of this type on an hourly basis. The work is handled by Michael Bentley, who is the head of this department and whose hourly charging rate is £280.00 plus VAT. More simple matters are often handled by other members of the team and the hourly charge rates range from £150.00 plus VAT for paralegal staff to £230.00 plus VAT for solicitors and legal executives and £280.00 plus VAT for solicitor and head of department.

Most  standard Wills are completed within 2-3 weeks of initial instructions and often much sooner.  Where Wills involve complex IHT advice this timescale can vary but we expect to complete a Will within  2 months of the initial meeting.

Your original Will can be stored with us in our strong-room for safekeeping. More complex Wills may be required if your estate is large enough to attract inheritance tax and/or you require a trust to protect assets from others. If you want to control who administers your estate and who is to receive it, then you should make a Will.

All costs estimates are subject to VAT which is currently charged at 20%.