We aim to deliver a professional service which achieves your aims whilst being transparent about our pricing structure.

 

Our focus is on providing excellent value for money whilst providing a personal touch to our service.

 

Funding Options

There are a number of ways to fund our services and we will aim to provide a funding package for you which is suitable for particular circumstances.

We are not obliged to offer any particular method of funding and some methods of funding may only be available in cases where we assess that the case is suitable for both you and us.

 

Fixed Fee

This product is where we assert an amount of money to be paid for the service we provide. At the commencement of the claim we will advise you of the amount of the fixed fee we will charge you for completing the service you have instructed us for.

The costs owed to the Firm under the fixed fee agreement will be the same amount regardless of the work taken to complete your matter. There may be additional charges to the fixed fee for additional products or disbursements, but these will be notified to you at the time they become necessary.

All fees charged by the Firm are 20% VAT payable, which is currently set at 20%.

Most of our services are provided on a Fixed Fee basis and our Fixed Fees are detailed below. In some circumstances, where your estate planning is particularly complex or high value, it may be more appropriate to instruct us on a private retainer.

 

Private Retainer

You will pay us for our charges based on an hourly rate set in our retainer. We will provide you with an estimate of fees from time to time but our charges will be based on the amount of time we spend on your matter.
Our standard hourly rates are dependent on the qualification and experience of the fee earner dealing with the matter.

Below is a table of the typical Fees we charge for a typical Employee of different experience levels:

 

Grade of Fee Earner	Hourly Rate (+20% VAT)
Grade A Solicitors and Legal Executive with over 8 years qualified experience. Heads of Department.	£255 per hour
Grade B Solicitors or Legal Executive with more than 4 years’ qualified experience. Unqualified File Handlers with more than 8 years’ litigated experience.	£218 per hour
Grade C Solicitors or Legal Executive with 4 or more years’ qualified experience. Unqualified File Handlers with more than 8 years’ litigated experience.	£177 per hour
Grade D Unqualified File Handlers and other staff with less than 6 years’ experience.	£126 per hour

 

We will allocate a Fee Earner of a suitable level to your case. So for example, more complex cases will ordinarily be dealt with by more senior staff.

By way of example if a case is dealt with by our Head of Department, Charlotte Bandawe, her hourly rate is £255.00 per hour +20% VAT. If we spent 10 hours working on your file, our fees would therefore equate to £2,550.00 +20% VAT, totalling £3,060.00.

 

Wills Department

 

Estimate of Costs

Below are an example of the costs payable during a Wills transaction. Please note that the below prices are not including 20% VAT.

Please note: Estimated prices. Depending on the complexity and any unforeseen parts of the transaction, prices may vary from those stated.

The total costs of our services are based upon a fixed fee for the type of work required. The following is the fixed fee structure we use when determining the amount to charge for drafting a Will:

 

Type of Document	Amount (v) (+ 20% VAT)
Single Will (standard)	£200.00
Mirror Wills (standard)	£350.00
Single Will (non-standard)	£300.00 – £600.00
Mirror Wills (non-standard)	£500.00 – £850.00
Single Codicil (standard and if appropriate)	£120.00
Mirror Codicils (standard and if appropriate)	£200.00
Mirror Wills with half house to children on first death &Severance of Joint Tenancy & Advice (iii)	£600.00
Single Will with Discretionary Trust (i)	£500.00 -£1,200.00
Mirror Wills with Discretionary Trust (i)	£800.00 – £1,600.00
Single Will with Trust for Disabled Child (ii)	£500.00 – ££800.00
Mirror Wills with Trust for Disabled Child (ii)	£800 – £1,200
Letter of Wishes (in addition to a Will or Trust)	£150.00
Cost of Care Advice	£300.00 – £600.00
Inheritance Tax Advice	£300.00 – £1,000.00
Severance of Joint Tenancy only	£175.00
Removal of a restriction (iii)	£150.00 – £450.00
Living Will (Advanced Directive) Single	£150.00
Living Wills (Advanced Directives) Pair	£200.00
Change of name deed	£180.00
Declaration of Trust (iv)	£650.00 – £2,000.00
Lifetime Discretionary Trust (iv)	£1,000.00 – £3,500.00
Personal Injury Trust	£550.00 – £1,200.00
Bare Trust (Lifetime)    (iv)	£750.00 – £1,800.00

 

The below is a reference table to the corresponding points in the pricing structure:

(i) This includes the Standard Will, Discretionary Trust, provision of specialist advice and Letter of Wishes

(ii)This includes the Standard Will, SND Trust, provision of specialist advice, Letter of Wishes and letter of Guidance

(iii) Land Registry Fees will be in addition to our costs

(iv) Third party fees may be applicable to deal with the registration of Trusts with HMRC’s Trust Registration Service and to provide ongoing tax advice, or the conveyancing fees. Quotes can be provided upon request.

(v) Any price range provided is to be treated as a guide only and we will provide you with a quote for our fees once we receive your instructions which is to be agreed by you prior to any work being undertaken on your behalf.

 

Disbursements

Disbursements charges are payable in addition to your Solicitor Fees for handing your matter. They are costs you have to pay to third parties in respect of services relating to your transaction.

Not all of the disbursements below will apply to your transaction and some of the amounts may vary on individual matters but the figures are given by way of example. Disbursements are inclusive of 20% VAT:

 

Disbursement Type	Estimate Cost (Inclusive of 20% VAT)
Land Registry Fees	£3.00

 

Duration of Claim

The length of time of your matter will depend on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We normally aim to draft your Will within 2-3 weeks of instruction and to finalised your Wills within 8-10 weeks of receiving confirmation of your instructions..

 

Probate Department

 

Estimate of Costs

Below are an example of the costs payable during a Probate transaction.

Please note: Estimated prices. Depending on the complexity and any unforeseen parts of the transaction, prices may vary from those stated.

The total costs of our services are based upon a fixed fee for the type of work required. The following is the fixed fee structure we use when determining the amount to charge for Probate:

 

Type of Document	Amount (iv) (+20% VAT)
Application for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration
ONLY Simple (with IHT205 calculations) (i)	£650.00 – £1,500
ONLY Simple (with IHT205 calculations) + transferable NR Allowances (i)	£750.00 – £2,000
ONLY with IHT400 (i)	£1,500.00 – £4,0000
Deed of Variation	£750.00 – £1,800
Full administration of the estate with or without a  Grant (value of estate up to £1,000,000)  (i) & (ii)   Full administration of the estate with or without a  Grant (value of estate in excess of £1,000,000)  (i) & (ii)	£2,500 –  £25,000 (+20% VAT) for an average estate.   It is difficult to provide you with an estimate of our fees when instructed administer a high value estate and we ask that you contact us to arrange an initial no obligation discussion or to discuss your needs an requirements  further so that we can provide you with a quote for our fees.

 

What our Grant only service includes:

• An initial in person or remote consultation
• Preparation of the Legal Statement (online application ) or Probate Application form (paper applications)
• Preparation of the relevant Inheritance Tax Return and applying for all applicable Inheritance Allowances
• Obtaining the Grant of Representation (Probate or Letters of Administration) from the Probate Registry
• Provision of advice

 

What our full estate administration service includes (but not limited to):

• An initial in person or remote consultation
• Notification of death to all asset holders, income and utility providers and any other organisation as required in relation to the estate
• Arranging for the valuation of any properties held in the estate under your instruction (valuations will be undertaken by a third party) (iii)
• Preparing the schedule of assets and liabilities as at the date of death
• Drafting any supplementary documents as required, Renunciations, legal notices, Powers of Attorney, deeds of appointment
• Preparation of the Legal Statement (online application ) or Probate Application form (paper applications)
• Preparation of the relevant Inheritance Tax Return and applying for all applicable Inheritance Allowances
• Obtaining the Grant of Representation (Probate or Letters of Administration) from the Probate Registry
• Collection of all the assets held in the estate
• Settling all liabilities of the estate
• Payment of all legacies under the terms of the Will
• Arranging for the deceased’s tax affairs to be finalised with HMRC under your instruction (this service will be undertaken by a third party) (iii)
• Undertaking Identity checks and bankruptcy searches for both domestic and international beneficiaries (this service will be undertaken by a third party) (iii)
• Arranging a quotes for the sale of the property under your instruction (this service will be undertaken by a third party) (iii)
• Arranging for any searches re missing assets, Wills, beneficiaries under your instruction (this service will be undertaken by a third party) (iii)
• Arranging unoccupied property insurance under your instruction (this service will be undertaken by a third party) (iii)
• Provision of advice

 

The below is a reference table to the corresponding points in the pricing structure:

(i) Probate court fees will be in addition to our costs

(ii) We are aware every estate is different. Therefore it is difficult to provide an exact figure without being aware of the size and complexity of the estate. Following an no-obligation initial meeting (whether in person or by telephone) we can provide you with a more accurate estimate for our fees based on the information you provide to us.

(iii) Any third party instructions may incur additional fees which will be agreed between you and the third party. Quotes can be provided upon request.

(iv) Any price range provided is to be treated as a guide only and we will provide you with a quote for our fees once we receive  your instructions which is to be agreed by you prior to any work being undertaken on your behalf.

 

Disbursements

Disbursements charges are payable in addition to your Solicitor Fees for handling your matter. They are costs you have to pay to third parties in respect of services relating to your transaction. Not all of the disbursements below will apply to your transaction and some of the amounts may vary on individual matters but the figures are given by way of example:

 

Disbursement Type	Estimate Cost (Inclusive of 20% VAT)
Probate Court Fees ·         Application Fee	£300.00
·         Additional Copy of Grants	£1.50
·         Other Application within the Probate Court	To be advised during our meeting

 

Duration of Claim

The length of time of your matter will depend on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. More complex work such as the preparation of Trusts and Probate matters will depend on a number of factors including the availability of information, documentation and your instructions.

 

By way of example:

• The application for a simple Grant of Probate / Letters of Administration (online) may take up to 20 weeks to be issued from the date of submission to the Probate Registry
• A standard estate may take up to 18 months to conclude (without an property to sell).

 

Powers of Attorney

This includes Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) , Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) & General Powers of Attorney (GPofA)

 

Estimate of Costs

Below are an example of the costs payable during the various transactions we can undertake on your behalf.

Please note: Estimated prices. Depending on the complexity and any unforeseen parts of the transaction, prices may vary from those stated.

The total costs of our services are based upon a fixed fee for the type of work required. The following is the fixed fee structure we use when determining the amount to charge for your specific power of attorney:

 

Type of Document	Amount (+20% VAT)
General Power of Attorney (i)	Price from £200.00
Single Lasting Power of Attorney with certificate ONLY (no registration)	£300.00
Two Lasting Powers of Attorney with certificate ONLY (no registration )	£400.00
Single Lasting Power of Attorney with certificate and Registration (ii) (iii)	£500.00
Two Lasting Powers of Attorney with certificate and Registration (ii) (iii)	£750.00
Four Lasting Powers of Attorney with certificate and Registration (ii) (iii)	£1,000.00
Registration of an Enduring Power of Attorney (iii)	£450.00
Registration of a Lasting Power of Attorney (iii)	£350.00
Provision of a certificate ONLY	£250.00

 

The below is a reference table to the corresponding points in the pricing structure:

• (i) Our costs include up to 10 Solicitor certified copies
• (ii) Our costs include two solicitor certified copies
• (iii) Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) fees will be in addition to our costs

 

Disbursements

Disbursements charges are payable in addition to your Solicitor Fees for the handling of your matter. They are costs you have to pay to third parties in respect of services relating to your transaction.

Not all of the disbursements below will apply to your transaction and some of the amounts may vary on individual matters but the figures are given by way of example:

 

Disbursement Type	Estimate Cost (Inclusive of 20% VAT)
OPG fee for each LPA or EPA  to be registered	£82.00
Other applications submitted to the OPG	To be advised during our meeting

 

Duration of Claim

The length of time of your matter will depend on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. If we are instructed to prepare a Lasting Power of Attorney this will be prepared within 2-3 weeks of instruction but it can take up to 16 weeks to register.

 

Court of Protection (COP) Department

The Court of Protection was set up as a result of the Mental Capacity Act in 2005 to help Deputies (usually family members or close friends but this can be professionals such as solicitors) to make decisions for someone who lacks mental capacity to make their own decisions.

 

Estimate of Costs

Below are an example of the costs payable during a COP transaction.

Please note: Estimated prices. Depending on the complexity and any unforeseen parts of the transaction, prices may vary from those stated.

The total costs of our services are based upon a fixed fee for the type of work required. The following is the fixed fee structure we use when determining the amount to charge for COP:

 

Type of Document	Amount
Preparation, Submission and Management of all Documents to the Court to apply for a Court of Protection order to appoint a deputy or deputies for a Person who lacks capacity – Standard application	From £950 (+ 20% VAT if fixed fee)
Non Standard application to the Court of Protection	We reserve the right to have our file of papers assessed by the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO)

 

Disbursements

Disbursement charges are payable in addition to your Solicitor Fees for handing your matter. They are costs you have to pay to third parties in respect of services relating to your transaction.

Not all of the disbursements below will apply to your transaction and some of the amounts may vary on individual matters but the figures are given by way of example:

 

Disbursement Type	Estimate Cost (Inclusive of VAT)
Court of Protection Court application fee	£371.00
Medical Assessment Fee	This fee is determined by each individual medical professional
Deputy Insurance Premium	This fee is determined by the Court of Protection
Office of the Public Guardian Deputy Appointment Fee	£100

 

Duration of Claim

The length of time of your matter will depend on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. COP matters will depend on a number of factors including the availability of information, documentation and your instructions.

 

Fee Earners working in the Wills and Probate Department

Below is a list of our Fee Earners, their qualifications and the hourly rates they charge. Hourly rates are subject to change dependent upon the service provided and the increasing experience of the handler:

 

Person	Qualification and Experience	Supervisor	Hourly Rate Charged (+20% VAT)
Charlotte Bandawe	Grade A Solicitor, Head of the Wills and Probate Department, with over 18 years’ experience	Abbie Keech, Grade A Solicitor, Managing Director	£255.00
Christina Taylor	Grade B Wills and Probate Paralegal with over 10 years of experience	Charlotte Bandawe	£218.00

 

 

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you would like to enquire about any of our services, call us now on 0113 200 9720 or email us at enquiries@oakwoodsolicitors.co.uk.