Probate solicitor recommendation?

[DodgyGeezer]

Hi all, we're in the sad position of trying to sort out my late sister's estate and I was hoping some on here may have recommendations for a solicitor specialising in probate.

Sadly it's not a particularly easy estate as:
- she died intestate (in this case I know that parents are classed as 'next of kin', which isn't an issue)
- her estate will be over the IHT threshold

[DodgyGeezer]

Really appreciate all the responses chaps - my father has toyed with both options (and tbh we're both minded to go D.I.Y. at the moment) but it is worth getting other opinions and costs just to be sure. For £5k (for example) it might be worth it for the lack of aggravation, if the costs is £20k then ideas change again

[DodgyGeezer]

Happy Jim said:

I’ve done 2 simple ones myself (1 below IHT and 2nd for my Mum (all passed to Dad)), my Dad passed away in Dec and is firmly into IHT territory. Downloaded all the IHT forms…..and passed it to a Solicitor to deal with (IHT submission and obtain probate)- very efficient and “only” £3,700, but stress free which was the main driver for me.

Happy to recommend a Sol in Bournemouth if it’s any use?

Regards

Jim

A recommendation is always appreciated

[DodgyGeezer]

dontlookdown said:

Shnozz said:

dontlookdown said:

Solicitors costs are usually fixed for simple probate work, but maybe on a percentage of the total estate for more complex proceedings which rapidly gets expensive.

I paid ca. £1700 for a solicitor to do my Mum's estate, DIY is perf curly doable I'd say but I really didn't want to so it was money well spent as far as I am concerned.

Be warned, the probate office is a mess at present and more likely to be the source of delay than the solicitors. Took them 14 months to grant probate on a v simple and modestly-sized estate in our case.

I was warned it would be a long wait only to have the Courts return a grant or probate in about a month. Straight forward low value estate and this was in the last few weeks.

Good to know they don't all take that long! Ours was granted in May having applied March 23, so maybe they are finally getting through the COVID backlog.

Yeah, sadly aware of the length of time taken for probate as MiL died in Sept: had a will, no IHT, single beneficiary still was only granted mid/end Feb

[DodgyGeezer]

Happy Jim said:

DodgyGeezer said:

A recommendation is always appreciated

You have mail ;-)

Cheers

Jim

Really appreciated old bean - will forward to my dad so he's at least got an option should he go that way