Wills & Codicil
A Will is a legal document that shows how you would like your assets (your estate) to be distributed when you have passed. Your will, if drafted correctly can enable your loved ones to benefit from tax savings while protecting the interest of minors, disabled and vulnerable dependents.
A codicil is used to make changes to your will. This is normally done when you have had major changes in your life such as: marriage, divorce, birth/adoption of children or grandchildren.
The fees quoted below are for standard wills and codicils. Please speak with our solicitors for more details about specific services such as incorporating different types of trusts in your will.
- Codicil from £180 + (36 VAT)
- Single from £280+ (£56 VAT)
- Mirror wills (Partners/spouses) from £400 + (£80 VAT)
- Wills incorporating a Life Interest Trust from £700 + (£140 VAT)
- International wills from £700 + (£140 VAT)
Probate and Estate Administration – Fee Summary
We provide fixed fee services for non-contentious probate applications where:
- No Inheritance Tax is payable,
- No claims are made against the estate, and
- All beneficiaries are known and ascertainable.
Our fees are based on the complexity and value of the estate:
1. Basic Estate (valued under £5,000)
- Fixed Fee: £700
- VAT (20%): £140
- Disbursements: Additional charges may apply (e.g. Probate Court fee, Office Copies from Land Registry)
- Total Estimated Cost: From £840 + disbursements
2. Larger or More Complex Estates (valued over £5,000)
- Fees from: £1,800 + VAT (i.e. £2,160)
- Disbursements: Charged in addition and will vary depending on the circumstances
- Total Estimated Cost: From £2,160 + disbursements
3. Additional Fees (if applicable)
Further fees may be charged for estates involving international elements, for example:
- Where the deceased was domiciled outside the UK but held UK assets
- Where foreign documentation requires translation or legal verification
- Complex shareholdings or cross-border financial arrangements
These fees will be discussed and agreed with you in advance, once the nature of the estate is fully understood.
Alfred James & Co Solicitors LLP
Estate Administration – Fee Summary (Post-Grant Collection & Distribution)
Following the successful application for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, we offer assistance with the collection and distribution of the deceased’s estate. Our fees are structured based on the complexity and value of the estate:
1. Basic Estate – valued at less than £5,000
(Straightforward administration where there are a small number of assets and beneficiaries, no property to sell, and minimal correspondence required)
- Fixed Fee: £500
- VAT (20%): £100
- Total Estimated Cost: £600
2. Other Estates (Moderate to Complex)
(Includes multiple assets, property sales, 2+ beneficiaries, or more complex distributions)
- Fees Charged as a Percentage of Gross Estate Value:
3% – 5% of the total estate value (excluding VAT) - VAT (20%) will be charged in addition
- The exact percentage will be determined based on factors including:
- The number and type of assets involved
- The number of beneficiaries and complexity of distribution
- Any liabilities or debts to settle
- Time spent liaising with institutions, HMRC, or other third parties
Example:
An estate valued at £200,000
- Estimated Fee (at 3%): £6,000 + VAT (£1,200) = £7,200
- Estimated Fee (at 5%): £10,000 + VAT (£2,000) = £12,000
3. Disbursements
These are costs payable to third parties and are not included in our fees. Common disbursements include:
- Statutory advertisements (e.g. Section 27 Notices)
- Land Registry fees
- Bankruptcy searches
- Asset valuation fees (if required)
Note: All fees will be discussed and confirmed with you before work commences. We will provide a tailored estimate once we have full details of the estate and its administration requirements.
Please contact us if you require a more detailed breakdown or wish to proceed.
Our Team
Adedeji Sijuwade
Deji is the Managing and Senior Partner of our firm with over 20 years’ experience in private client work. He also specialises in areas such as Housing Law, Landlord & Tenant, Immigration, Personal Injury and International Commercial Transactions and Business Law.
Deji has been working in these areas since he qualified and has helped thousands of families and individuals with his wealth of legal experience.
Deji is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales and a Member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Education: Legal Practice Course University of Hertfordshire 2004
Year of Qualification: 2006
Adebayo Ogunbode
Adebayo qualified as a solicitor in 2002. He obtained his master’s degree (LLM) from Kings College University in London (1989). Adebayo has gained experience in the following areas of law namely Prison, Criminal litigation, Civil Litigation, Immigration, Employment, Probate and Landlord and Tenant. Adebayo currently specialises in property law (Residential and Commercial) as well as Probate and Civil Litigation matters (related to property matters) with his experience in the same spanning over 13 years. Adebayo has kept himself abreast in Residential & Commercial Property as well as Probate law being the daily areas of his practice. He also keeps himself abreast of his other areas by attending several professional development courses.
Year of Qualification: 2002
Omowunmi Morohundiya
Omowunmi qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 2005. She attended The University of Buckingham. She has a wide range of Legal Professional experience in both the Public and Private Sectors having worked extensively with various local Authorities and thereafter private law practice. She currently covers Private Client work in Family, Probate, P.I and General Civil Matters in our firm.
Year of Qualification: 2005
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