Private Client: Costs Guide
Fees correct as of April 2026
We believe in being straightforward about costs. Before you commit to anything, you'll always know what you're likely to pay and what's included. If your situation turns out to be more complex than expected, we'll tell you that before we go any further.
The fees below are intended to give you a clear starting point. Where we've given a range, we'll provide a more precise estimate once we've had a chance to understand your specific circumstances.
All fees are shown with the base cost, VAT at 20%, and the total you'll pay. Disbursements (costs we pay on your behalf to third parties) are listed separately where they apply.
Wills
These fees cover an initial consultation, preparation of your will, and a final review appointment to sign. If your circumstances are more complex (for example, if your estate involves business assets, multiple properties or detailed inheritance tax planning), we'll discuss a tailored fee with you before any work begins.
| Service | Base fee | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple will (single) | £550 | £110 | £660 |
| Simple mirror wills (couple) | £700 | £140 | £840 |
| Life interest trust will (single) | £850 | £170 | £1,020 |
| Life interest trust will (couple) | £1,200 | £240 | £1,440 |
| Discretionary trust will (single) - from | £1,500 | £300 | £1,800 |
| Discretionary trust will (couple) - from | £2,500 | £500 | £3,000 |
| Letters of wishes / codicils | Quoted individually | Hourly rate applies | |
| IPFDA (Non-Provision) Letter | Quoted individually | Hourly rate applies |
Trust wills and more complex arrangements will be quoted individually by your fee earner. Discretionary trust fees shown are a starting point; the final figure will depend on the complexity of your instructions.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Our fees cover advising you on the process, preparing the documents and guiding you through the registration process with the Office of the Public Guardian. The disbursements shown include the OPG registration fee.
| Service | Base fee | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unregistered LPA (to register an existing document) | £450 | £90 | £632* |
| Single LPA (property & financial affairs or health & welfare) | £395 | £79 | £566* |
| Two LPAs for one person | £695 | £139 | £1,018* |
| Four LPAs for two people (both types, both people) | £995 | £199 | £1,562* |
| EPA registration (made before October 2007) | £1,000–£2,000 | £200–£400 | £1,282–£2,482* |
| Deputyship (Court of Protection) - from | £3,000 | £600 | £4,021* |
* Totals include disbursements of £92 per LPA (OPG registration fee). Four-LPA total includes £368 in disbursements. Deputyship total includes £421 in disbursements.
EPA registration costs vary depending on the complexity of the document and any difficulties that arise. Deputyship applications are priced from the figure shown; your fee earner will give you a more precise estimate once they understand the full picture.
Trusts and Deeds
The fees below cover the most commonly requested trust and deed work. Where a matter requires more detailed advice or drafting, your fee earner will provide a quote before any work begins.
| Service | Base fee | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Severance of joint tenancy to tenants in common (JT to TIC) | £250 | £50 | £300 |
| Transfer from tenants in common to joint tenancy (TIC to JT) | £500 | £100 | £600 |
| Deed of Retirement and Appointment (DORAT) | £750 | £150 | £900 |
| Declaration of Trust | Quoted individually | Hourly rate applies | |
| Deed of Variation | Quoted individually | Hourly rate applies |
Declarations of trust and deeds of variation can vary significantly in complexity. Your fee earner will discuss the scope of work with you and give you a written estimate before they proceed.
Probate and Estate Administration
We offer two levels of service depending on how much help you need. Some families prefer to handle the administration themselves and just need us to obtain the grant; others want us to take care of everything from start to finish. Either way, we'll be clear about costs before any work begins.
Grant of Representation only
If you need help obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration but wish to handle the administration of the estate yourself, we can take care of this stage for you.
Costs depend on the size and nature of the estate, whether inheritance tax is payable and the number of assets involved. The figures below include three sealed office copies of the grant, which you will typically need to deal with banks, institutions and property matters.
| Complexity | Base fee | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straightforward estate - price from | £1,200–£1,800 | £240–£360 | £1,788–£2,508* |
| More complex estate | Quoted individually | Hourly rate applies |
* Includes £348 in disbursements (3 office copies at current rates). See the disbursements section below for a full breakdown of additional costs that may apply.
Full estate administration
If you'd like us to manage the full administration of the estate following the grant, our fees are calculated based on the time spent and the complexity of the work involved. We will provide you with a written estimate at the outset and keep you updated if anything changes the likely cost.
The following factors typically affect the overall cost:
- The total value of the estate
- The number and type of assets (for example, property, investments, business interests)
- Whether inheritance tax is payable and the complexity of any tax reporting required
- The number of beneficiaries and whether any are difficult to locate
- Whether any assets need to be sold
- Whether there are any disputes or complications
Full administration is charged at our standard hourly rates (see below). Your fee earner will give you a realistic estimate at your first meeting and will update you if the scope of the work changes.
General Advice
Advice for trustees, attorneys, executors and beneficiaries is charged at an hourly rate, as the nature and complexity of the work varies considerably. The first appointment is typically charged at one hour's time, with any further work charged at the applicable hourly rate.
We're happy to give you an estimate of likely costs once we understand what you need. Many queries can be dealt with in a single appointment; others may require ongoing support. We'll always be clear about where you stand before we proceed.
Our Hourly Rates
The rate that applies to your matter will depend on the fee earner handling your work. We'll let you know who is dealing with your matter from the outset, and you'll always have a direct way to contact them.
| Fee earner | Base rate (per hour) | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner | £400 | £80 | £480 |
| Associate Solicitor | £335 | £67 | £402 |
| Solicitor | £290 | £58 | £348 |
| CILEX (Chartered Legal Executive) | £270 | £54 | £324 |
| Assistant Solicitor / Paralegal | £200 | £40 | £240 |
| Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal | £110 | £22 | £132 |
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs we pay on your behalf to third parties. They are separate from our fees and are passed on to you at cost. We'll always give you a clear breakdown of likely disbursements before we begin any work.
Probate and estate
| Item | Base | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probate Registry application fee | £300 | Exempt | £300 |
| Probate Registry fee (estates under £5,000) | Nil | - | Nil |
| Office copies of the grant (per copy) | £1.50 | Exempt | £1.50 |
| Bankruptcy search (per person) | £6.00 | £1.20 | £7.20 |
| Overseas bankruptcy search | Quoted on request | ||
| s27 Trustee Act notice (both types) | Quoted on request | ||
| Estatesearch (asset tracing) | From £50 | VAT applicable | From £60 |
| Estatesearch (standard package) | In the region of £183 | In the region of £37 | In the region of £220 |
Valuations and searches
| Item | Base | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle valuation | £10.00 | £2.00 | £12.00 |
| Share valuation | £10.00 | £2.00 | £12.00 |
| Will Search Plus | £104.00 | £20.80 | £124.80 |
| Financial Profile Standard | £148.50 | £29.70 | £178.20 |
| Financial Profile Premium (inc. digital) | £210.00 | £42.00 | £252.00 |
Transactions and transfers
| Item | Base | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telegraphic transfer fee (from £50,000 or overseas) | £35.00 | £7.00 | £42.00 |
| Office copy entries (Land Registry) | £7.00 | £1.40 | £8.40 |
Additional disbursements may apply depending on your circumstances, for example Land Registry fees for property transfers, specialist valuations, or property searches. We'll confirm all applicable disbursements in writing before we proceed.
Who will handle your matter?
Your work will be handled by a qualified solicitor or experienced member of our private client team. Where appropriate, work may be supervised by a senior solicitor or partner. We'll introduce you to the person handling your matter at the outset and you'll always have a direct way to contact them.
A note on VAT
All professional fees shown are inclusive of VAT at the current rate of 20% unless otherwise stated. Some disbursements (such as Probate Registry fees and office copy entries) are exempt from VAT. We'll make clear which disbursements attract VAT when we provide your estimate.