Probate services and estate administration, whether there is a Will in place or not.
SOME OF OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Research and assess the value of the estate
- Prepare HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) accounts
- Ensure all tax liabilities are settled
- Obtain Grant of Probate
- Gather assets and settle creditor claims
- Distribute legacies
- Arrange for the transfer of property
- Advise Executors/Beneficiaries in respect of tax implications that may occur
- Prepare personal tax returns for personal representatives
- Prepare final estate accounts
Key stages
- 1. Obtaining Grant of Probate
- The first stage of the administration process is to gather all the necessary information in relation to the estate.
- 2. Following receipt of the Grant of Probate
- Registration of the Grant of Probate can now commence, and we are able to collect the assets and settle debts.
- Where there are sufficient assets, interim distributions can be made to the Beneficiaries and any necessary Deed of Variation prepared.
- 3. Review
- Liaise with HMRC in respect of any liability to Inheritance Tax or Capital Gains Tax.
- Deal with any Deed of Variation that may have been implemented.
- 4. Final account and final distributions
- All assets and debts will have been accounted and reported, and any liability to Inheritance Tax settled.
- Final accounts detailing all transactions will have been drawn up and issued to the Executors and final distributions made to the Beneficiaries.
- We will then be able to finalise the administration process.
Time scales
The timings for administering each individual estate can vary greatly (averaging between six months and two years) depending on their complexity, and often due to the requirement to involve third parties.
Deanegate Trustees is committed to providing an efficient yet sympathetic service and we will endeavour to complete the administration process as soon as is possible.
Fees
Our fees are calculated not only upon the time spent on your affairs but also on the complexity of the work involved. We have a wealth of experience in dealing with estates, from the very simple to the complex, and we know that every estate is different.
Therefore, we will always look to provide executors and / or beneficiaries (as appropriate) with an accurate estimate of our expected fees, in advance of our commencing work. This fee estimate will be a formal proposal, setting out our expected fees, what is included and what is not included.
If we encounter circumstances that mean our fees may change, we will seek the executor’s approval before continuing.
Broadly, our hourly rates are as follows:
£/hr | |
---|---|
Partner | £235 – £275 (plus VAT) |
Managers and supervisors | £102 – £180 (plus VAT) |
Administrative staff | £44 – £107 (plus VAT) |
How we’ve helped
Here’s some examples of the types of cases we have completed:
- In a straight-forward estate, involving residential property, investments and cash, we arranged for necessary valuations, collation of necessary information, completion of inheritance tax return, application for probate on behalf of the executors, administration of the estate and production of estate accounts.
For this, the approximate fees were £3,500 + VAT. - In a more complex estate, with limited company shares, substantial residential and commercial property, antiques, investments, farmland and cash, this involved arranging for necessary valuations, collation of necessary information, completion of inheritance tax return, application for probate on behalf of the executors and administration of the estate.
In this example, the approximate fees were £15,300 + VAT. - Dealing with a very complex estate, including 2 x limited company shares, substantial residential, commercial, amenity and agricultural land, antiques, collectibles, taxidermy, unusual investments, sports cars, cash, numerous secured and unsecured debts.
Here, (Deanegate Trustees Limited was directly nominated as executor in the Will) this involved arranging for multiple valuations of assets, collation of necessary information, completion of inheritance tax return, application for probate, administration of the estate, referral to contentious probate solicitor where necessary, production of estate accounts and self-assessment tax returns.
The fees for a complicated case like this are available on request.
Meet the Probate Team

Mike Bagg
Mike works with a diverse range of private clients, trusts, executors and personal representatives, offering a comprehensive compliance service coupled with bespoke advice.
Mike likes to build close working relationships with all his clients, so that all aspects of their financial and personal affairs can be considered when advising. He does not believe that there is a “silver bullet” that makes an individual, trust or estate’s tax affairs as efficient as possible forever and, as a result, Mike always works on establishing successful, long-term, professional relationships.

Simon Denton
Simon is an experienced accountant and tax adviser. He has dealt with the tax, business and personal financial affairs of a multitude of clients for over 20 years.
He is a chartered accountant, chartered tax adviser and holds the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners diploma. Having the qualifications to go along with his extensive experience makes sure that his clients feel reassured, with a qualified expert on-hand to administer an estate.

Rachel Hotham
email: rachel.hotham@deanegatetrustees.co.uk
With a background in Insolvency and Business Recovery, Rachel has extensive practical experience in securing and protecting the assets within an estate, and once the Grant of Probate has been obtained, ensuring their realisation and distribution.
Rachel understands the importance of managing the on-going administration of an estate, from identifying the estate creditors and settling the outstanding liabilities, to liaising with Beneficiaries and making the distributions to the Legatees in the most efficient manner.

Ben Branson
email: ben.branson@deanegatetrustees.co.uk
Ben is a Chartered Tax Adviser, member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a Fellow of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT). Ben has over a decade of experience and specialises in personal tax planning, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, international taxation, UK residency and domicile issues.
Ben is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to navigate complex tax matters, providing valuable advice to trusts and estates as well as private clients and partnerships. Ben has a particular specialism in dealing with the taxation of non-resident (“offshore”) trusts.
Diversity
Deanegate Trustees Limited is dedicated to fostering diversity amongst our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Our goal is to ensure our team reflects all parts of society and our customer base, while making sure every colleague feels valued and empowered to perform at their best. We will continue to:
- create a workplace environment free from bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination;
- take seriously any complaints concerning such behaviour;
- make opportunities for training, development and progress available to all staff;
- make decisions about our teams’ career development on merit;
- regularly review employment practice and procedures to ensure fairness; and
- monitor the makeup of the workforce and assess how our diversity policy is working in practice.
As part of our Probate Certification, we are required to ask our staff to partake in a voluntary questionnaire to highlight diversity and inclusion within Deanegate Trustees Limited. Our staff completed the questionnaire in April 2025 and the results can be found here.