Compare fixed, hourly and percentage fees using SRA price-transparency rules, written scope, VAT, disbursements and current probate court-fee information.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's Probate Process guide cluster. Estimated reading time: 12 min.
An SRA-regulated firm that publishes that it offers uncontested UK estate collection and distribution services must publish the cost information required by the SRA Transparency Rules. If a provider has no website, the information must be available on request in another format.
No. The useful comparison is the total price for the same work, including VAT, disbursements, exclusions and likely extra work. A narrow fixed fee can cost more overall if common tasks sit outside its scope.
A charging agreement can use a percentage, an hourly rate, a fixed fee or a combination. There is no official probate fee tariff. Ask for the likely total in pounds and compare it with the work and responsibility involved before agreeing.
A quote must say whether fees and disbursements attract VAT and, if so, the amount. Do not assume every third-party payment has the same VAT treatment as the firm's legal fees.
That depends on the engagement terms and what work was included. Ask the firm to identify exclusions and the events that would change the price, and to obtain your agreement before doing material work outside the quoted scope.
Ask for the bill, the engagement terms, earlier estimates and an explanation of the change. Raise a written complaint with the firm promptly. The Legal Ombudsman can consider poor service and costs, while a court assessment under the Solicitors Act has separate and short time limits.