wills and probate

Jeremy Cuff deals with all aspects of what is referred to as Private Client work.
 Typically he advises those who don’t wish the government to decide who will inherit from their estate. These issues are addressed by putting a Will in place which will make the best use of the Inheritance Tax free sums available.

You may also be concerned about what might happen if you become unable to manage your affairs due to physical or mental incapacity. Such concerns are often alleviated by putting in place what is known as a Lasting Power of Attorney. Jeremy also deals with applications to the Court of Protection to authorise someone to deal with the financial affairs of an individual who no longer has mental capacity and had not previously put a Power of Attorney in place.

Jeremy also works with people who have lost a loved one and need assistance with the administration of their estate. He can prepare the necessary documentation to make an application for a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no will), liaise with HMRC with regard to any Inheritance Tax which may be payable, settle the income tax position of the deceased, gather in the assets of the estate and transfer or distribute the assets of the estate to the persons entitled. He can also advise on post-death variations of wills in circumstances where wills might not have been prepared in the most tax efficient way.

This area of the firm is run by Jeremy Cuff who is an owner of the Firm and who qualified as a Solicitor in 2004.

The work we undertake in our Private Client Department is generally based on a fixed fee

Estate Administration Matters

• Jeremy Cuff is an experienced Probate Solicitor who will work on your matter.
• He will identify the Executors, Administrators and Beneficiaries.
• He will accurately identify the type of Probate application you require.
• He will complete the Probate application form with relevant HMRC forms.
• He will make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf.
• He will obtain the Probate.
• He will collect and distribute all assets in the Estate.

You will never receive an unexpected bill in respect of the work we carry out for you.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter but are payable to third parties such as court fees. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

No two Probate transactions are the same. We are required to publish prices for Probate work in relation to uncontested cases where all the assets are in the UK. This includes estate where there is a Will, where the intestacy rules apply, taxable and non-taxable Estates. However, the exact cost would depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts the costs will be at the higher end.

We will handle the full process to you.

Our fee estimate would be on the basis of an Estate where:

• There is a valid Will.
• There is no more than one property.
• There are a disclosed number of bank and building society accounts.
• There are no other tangible assets.
• There are a confirmed number of beneficiaries.
• There are no disputes between the beneficiaries on the division of assets. If disputes arise then this may lead to an increase in costs.
• There are no claims to be made against the Estate.

Cuff & Gough Probate Fees – 23rd October 2023

1. To obtain the Grant only. No Inheritance Tax payable – from £1,500 + VAT
2. To obtain the Grant only. Inheritance Tax payable – from £3,500 + VAT
3. To deal with all aspects of the Estate from the start leading to the issue of the Grant only our fees are typically 0.5% of the gross value of the Estate but will vary according to complexity.
4. To deal with all aspects of the Estate from the start to finish, our fees are typically 1% of the gross value of the Estate but will vary according to complexity.
5. A Deed of Variation – £600 + VAT

Cuff & Gough Legal Fees for Wills/LPA/Court of Protection work

1. Single straightforward Will – £300 + VAT
2. Pair of straightforward Wills – £500 + VAT
3. Single LPA – £500 + VAT + registration fee payable to Office of the Public Guardian (typically £82)
4. Pair of LPA’s £700 + VAT + registration fees for each LPA
5. Pair of LPA’s for a couple i.e. 4 in total – £1000 + VAT + registration fees for each LPA
6. Court Appointed Deputy application – £950 + VAT
7. Trust Deeds – £350 + VAT

We like to speak with our clients at the outset so that we can provide you with a detailed fee estimate. Please call Jeremy Cuff on 01737 851 827.