Probate Fees Predicted to Fall

From 3rd November, 2014 new rules came into effect which will allow chartered legal executives, and other professionals with the appropriate level of expertise, the ability to offer conveyancing and probate without the supervision of a solicitor.

To do this, a firm must first get authorisation from Ilex Professional Standards (IPS), the independent regulator of members of The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). Once this has been granted, the firm can then call themselves CILEx conveyancing practitioners or CILEx probate practitioners.

Ronnie Wayte, chief executive of Golden Charter, the UK's largest independent funeral plan provider, said:

"Increased competition in the probate market is very welcome, and the pressure on fees will ease the financial burden on relatives and executors at what is already a very stressful time."

"It is also important that estates are handled professionally, and solicitors are well-placed to ensure that wills are settled properly and delays kept to a minimum."

According to analysis carried out by the firm, approximately half of all executors and families use probate and other legal services to take care of their loved ones' estates after death, equating to £870m a year with an average cost of £3,000 per case.

If you have a probate or conveyancing matter to discuss, contact our probate solicitors on 0845 603 0708 for advice.

Probate Solicitors