When a loved one dies, it can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with their affairs. In many cases a grant of probate is required to ensure control of a loved one’s assets, but not always.
At Neale Turk LLP we are here to help, from that initial phone call we will take the time to speak with you to understand if you require professional assistance or not. We offer a compassionate and transparent service. We understand that it is a difficult time and the last thing you need is to be bombarded with legal jargon and expensive legal bills.
Unlike many other law firms and banks who charge a fixed percentage between 2-5% of the overall estate value (plus VAT) for their assistance, we charge for our work on an hourly rate basis. Our costs are based on how much time we spend, and the work involved, rather than the value of the estate.
It is important to keep in mind that the value of an estate will include any property. According to the Office for National statistics and their UK House Price Index: April 2022, property prices in the Southeast were the second highest in the country (London achieving the top spot). Furthermore, in the last 12 months ending April 2022, property prices in the Southeast went up by 11.9%!
Rightmove publish that the average overall house price in the Southeast during the last year was £459,813, therefore applying a 2% fixed fee for dealing with this estate would set you back nearly £10,000 (plus VAT) in legal fees. Whereas for a simple estate our fees for the full administration would be in the region of £2000-£4000 (plus VAT).
The booming property market is a key example of why we do not charge a fixed rate, an estate can consist of one property and a bank account but due to the value of the property alone, this can lead to a very expensive legal bill, when the work involved is not necessarily complex.
At Neale Turk LLP we are proud to offer a wide range of services to suit your specific needs and pride ourselves on being compassionate and transparent in the process. From the outset we will be able to provide you with a detailed quote and can also offer different types of service, such as simply filling in the forms to obtain the grant of probate or carrying out a full administration service.
If you need help or advice on any of the above issues, contact Shelley McPherson or Charlotte Searle of our private client team for friendly, expert advice. At Neale Turk LLP our private client practice is led by partner Charlotte Searle, a solicitor and fully qualified member of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Association of Contentious Trust and Estates Practitioners (ACTAPS). Neale Turk LLP is committed to providing an outstanding service to all our clients and you can find us recommended in the Legal 500.