How much does a Solicitor charge to administer an estate? 

When you’re faced with administering the estate of someone who has passed away, you may be looking for legal advice and questioning, “How much does a Solicitor charge to administer an estate?”. 

Firstly, it’s important to note that Solicitors are not the only option for professional support in administering the estate of someone who has died. There are specialist probate providers who also offer this service. Read ‘Do Solicitors deal with probate?’ to learn more about your professional options.

How much do professionals charge to administer an estate? 

For a probate specialist or Solicitor to complete the full estate administration, you are likely to be quoted in the thousands, with most providers starting prices from £2,000. The cost of just obtaining the Grant of Probate can be cheaper and typically ranges from £500 - £2,000.  

As an example, here are Kings Court Trust’s average fees for their full estate administration service for three different types of estates: 

The cost will vary depending on what assets the deceased has left behind and the work required. It can be a time-consuming process, and a lot of work can be involved. Find out more about what work could be involved in the estate administration. 

The cost will also vary depending on the charging method used by the professional. There are three pricing methods used by Solicitors and probate specialists: 

1. Charge an hourly rate;
2. Calculate a fee that’s a percentage of the estate value;
3. Offer a fixed fee based on the makeup of the deceased’s estate.

In most cases, you will not be required to pay the fee upfront, as it will be taken from the funds in the estate.  

Hourly rates 

Some Solicitors and probate specialists charge an hourly rate, which means that you do not receive a fixed price and you are charged for every hour they work on the estate. You may also get charged for emails and calls. 

With this pricing method, you do not always have a clear idea of the cost at the outset, but you can be sure that what you’re paying is relative to the work carried out. Unexpected delays in the process could also lead to a much higher fee. 

According to gov.uk’s guideline hourly rates for Solicitors from 1st January 2025, the following hourly rates are advised and range for different parts of the country: 

• Trainee Solicitors and paralegals – Between £139 - £205;
• Other Solicitors -£196 - £299;
• Solicitors and legal executives with over four years of experience - £242 - £385;
• Solicitors and legal executives with over eight years of experience - £282 - £566. 

Percentage of the estate value 

Solicitors often calculate their fees from a percentage of the estate value. This is usually between 1% and 5% of the value of the estate (plus VAT).  

Below are some examples of different estate values and percentages charged by Solicitors to show the likely cost (excluding VAT): 

This pricing method is often not reflective of the work involved, as the value of the estate may not be indicative of the complexity of the work involved.  

Fixed fees 

Certain probate specialists will provide a fixed fee to administer an estate. This will be based on the work involved and the complexity of the case. Typically, you will need to provide substantial information about the deceased’s estate to get a clear price. This could include details of their Will, assets, properties, and beneficiaries. If details of the estate change during the administration, providers may requote for additional work.  

Kings Court Trust provides a fixed, upfront quote so that you have full transparency and can make an informed decision.