Someone close to you has died. You may have been named as an executor in their Will, or there may be no Will at all. Either way, you’re now responsible for sorting out their affairs, and you’re not sure where to start.
You’re not alone. Most people who come to us feel exactly the same way.
Probate can be complicated, time-consuming and emotionally draining, especially when you’re grieving. There are assets to value, tax returns to prepare, debts to settle and beneficiaries to keep informed. If you get something wrong, you could be personally liable.
At Hill and Company, our probate solicitors have been helping families across Cheshire and South Manchester through this process for over 170 years. Based in Altrincham town centre, we handle estates of all sizes, from straightforward to complex, and we’re happy to do as much or as little as you need.
We aren’t a faceless city firm. We’re your local high street solicitors, and we take the time to explain everything clearly. No jargon, no rushing.
If getting to our Altrincham office isn’t practical, we’ll come to you. We offer home visits throughout Cheshire and South Manchester, and we’re experienced in working with families and older clients who may need extra time, patience and reassurance.
Our Private Client team is Law Society accredited for Wills and Inheritance quality, so you can be confident your loved one’s estate is in safe hands.
Our Probate department is led by Matthew Vernon, Laurence Murphy, Cass Edoo, Ben Roberts, Amber Roberts and Kacy Porter. Between them they bring decades of experience in estates of every size and complexity, including Laurence Murphy who has nearly 50 years of post-qualification experience.
Why Choose Hill and Company for Probate in Cheshire?
- Over 170 years of experience serving families across Cheshire and South Manchester from our Altrincham office
- Law Society accredited for Wills and Inheritance quality
- Home visits available throughout Cheshire and South Manchester
- As much or as little help as you need, from Grant-only applications to full estate administration
- A friendly, experienced team who handle sensitive situations with care and patience
- Strong local relationships with funeral directors and estate agents
- Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
When someone dies, their estate, everything they owned, needs to be collected, valued and distributed. This is called estate administration. If they left a Will, their executors are responsible. If there is no Will, the law decides who takes on this role (known as administrators) and who inherits.
It sounds straightforward, but in practice it rarely is.
Our probate solicitors can manage the entire process for you, including:
- Reviewing the Will (or advising on the intestacy rules if there is no Will)
- An initial meeting where we take details of the assets and liabilities you’re aware of and provide tailored advice on the administration ahead
- Writing to all relevant organisations — banks, insurers, pension providers, utility companies and anyone else the deceased had a relationship with
- Obtaining formal probate valuations of all assets and liabilities
- Keeping you updated with general advice and progress throughout
- Identifying and valuing all assets and liabilities including property, bank accounts, investments, pensions, personal possessions and debts
- Preparing and submitting the inheritance tax return to HMRC (IHT205 or IHT400, depending on the estate)
- Applying for the Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no Will)
- Collecting in all assets such as closing bank accounts, encashing investments and, where needed, arranging the sale or transfer of property
- Settling all debts and liabilities including placing statutory notices under the Trustee Act 1925 to protect you against unknown claims
- Preparing estate accounts for your approval
- Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or the intestacy rules
We deal with a wide range of estates; everything from relatively small and simple to large, complex and high-value. Whether the estate involves multiple properties, business assets, trusts, overseas elements or an inheritance tax liability, we have the technical expertise in-house to deal with it.
Not everyone needs a solicitor to handle the entire estate. Some families are happy to manage the day-to-day administration themselves but need help obtaining the Grant of Probate, the legal document that gives you the authority to deal with the estate’s assets.
We can handle just the Grant application for you, including:
- Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or the intestacy rules
- Preparing the inheritance tax return (IHT205 or IHT400)
- Drafting the Legal Statement that forms the basis of the probate application
- Submitting the application to the Probate Registry through the HMCTS online portal
- Receiving the Grant and providing you with the sealed copies you need
For very small or straightforward estates, we may be able to offer this as a fixed-fee service. Get in touch to find out whether this is suitable for your circumstances.
If your loved one died without a valid Will, the intestacy rules determine who inherits, and the outcome may not be what you or your family expected.
For example, if someone dies without a Will and leaves a spouse and children, the spouse does not automatically inherit everything. The rules set out specific entitlements, and these can create real difficulties, particularly where there are children from previous relationships, unmarried partners or blended families.
Where there is no Will, you will need to apply for Letters of Administration rather than a Grant of Probate. The process is similar, but the rules around who is entitled to apply (and in what order) can be complex.
Our probate solicitors can guide you through the intestacy process, explain your rights and entitlements, and handle the application and estate administration on your behalf.
We understand that when you’re dealing with a bereavement, the last thing you want is uncertainty over costs. We aim to be as clear and upfront as possible.
Every estate is different, so our fees are tailored to the complexity and size of the estate and the amount of work involved.
How our fees work:
There are typically three elements to our costs when we carry out the full administration of an estate:
1. Time-based fee
We charge at an hourly rate of £350 plus VAT for the time our specialists spend progressing the administration. This covers our professional expertise, overheads and running costs.
For most estates, our time-based fees fall between £5,000 + VAT (for a simple estate with no property, one or two bank accounts, no inheritance tax and a small number of beneficiaries) and £3,000 + VAT (for a large, complex estate with an inheritance tax liability). Very simple estates may be less; particularly complex estates or those involving family disputes may be more.
The size of an estate is not always an indicator of its complexity. We frequently come across relatively small estates that are complex to administer, and large estates that are straightforward. Because we charge on a time-spent basis, the estate is only ever charged for the work we actually do, so our fees remain fair and proportionate.
We understand that your loved one worked hard for what they had, and you want to pass as much as possible to the beneficiaries. We are always mindful of the charges that are accumulating and will do what we can to keep costs to a minimum. We’re happy to discuss ways we can work together to keep the overall cost down.
2. Value element
A charge of 1% plus VAT of the gross estate value. This reflects the significance of the work and the level of responsibility we take on.
3. Disbursements (third-party costs)
These are costs payable to other organisations during the administration and may include:
- £300 court fee for the probate application (for estates over £5,000)
- £16 per sealed copy of the Grant of Probate
- Approximately £400 for Section 27 Trustee Act statutory notices
- £2 per beneficiary for bankruptcy searches
- £57 for telegraphic transfers
We can also assist with arranging the funeral and the marketing of any property, drawing on our long-standing relationships with local funeral directors and estate agents.
VAT is currently charged at 20% on our professional fees. VAT has been included in the disbursement figures above where applicable.
Fixed-fee options
For very small estates or where you only need help obtaining the Grant of Probate, we may be able to offer a fixed fee. Contact us to discuss whether this is suitable for you.
Probate FAQ
Do I need probate?
It depends on the size and nature of the estate. Probate is usually needed if the person who died owned property in their sole name or had savings, investments or other assets above a certain threshold (typically £25,000, although banks set their own limits).
If everything was jointly owned and passed automatically to the surviving owner, probate may not be necessary. We can advise you on whether probate is required in your circumstances.
How long does probate take?
For a straightforward estate with no inheritance tax, the Grant of Probate is usually issued within four to eight weeks of applying. The full administration, i.e. collecting assets, settling debts and distributing the estate, typically takes between six and twelve months. More complex estates can take longer, particularly if there is property to sell, an inheritance tax liability or any disputes between beneficiaries.
What is the difference between a Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration?
A Grant of Probate is issued when the person who died left a valid Will. It confirms the executors’ authority to deal with the estate. Letters of Administration are issued when there is no Will (or no valid Will). They serve the same purpose but are granted to an administrator, usually the next of kin, rather than a named executor. The application process is similar for both.
Can I do probate myself?
Legally, yes. There is no requirement to use a solicitor for probate. However, estate administration involves legal, tax and financial responsibilities, and mistakes can result in personal liability for the executor or administrator.
If the estate involves property, inheritance tax, trusts, debts or any complexity, professional advice is strongly recommended. We’re happy to do as much or as little as you need, even if that’s simply reviewing what you’ve done yourself.
What happens if there is no Will?
If someone dies without a Will, their estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules. These rules set out a strict order of entitlement. A surviving spouse does not automatically inherit everything, the division depends on the value of the estate and whether there are children or other relatives. Unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit under intestacy, regardless of how long the relationship lasted. If there are no surviving relatives, the estate passes to the Crown.
How much does probate cost?
There is a £300 government court fee for the probate application (for estates over £5,000). Solicitor fees vary. We charge on a time-spent basis at £350 per hour plus VAT, together with a value element of 1% of the gross estate. For straightforward Grant-only applications, we may be able to offer a fixed fee.
Who pays the probate fees?
Probate costs, including solicitor fees, the court fee and other disbursements, are paid from the estate, not from your own pocket. However, some costs (such as the court application fee) may need to be paid upfront before assets are released.
In many cases, we can liaise with banks to release funds to cover these initial costs, or we can discuss other practical arrangements.
Contact Our Probate Solicitors in Altrincham
Dealing with a loved one’s estate is never easy. Whether you need help with a straightforward Grant of Probate or full estate administration, our experienced team is here to guide you through every step.
We’re based in Altrincham town centre and offer home visits across Cheshire and South Manchester for clients who cannot attend our office.
We’re the law firm for life – here for the big moments, the difficult decisions, and everything in between.
