Probate Accountants
At Griffin Chapman, as licensed practitioners for probate related work and specialists in all aspects of taxation, accounts preparation and estate planning, we are best placed to take care of your probate and estate administration work.
We understand how difficult it can be to handle someone’s legal and financial affairs, particularly at a time when you’re likely to be coming to terms with the death of someone close. But don’t worry, we’re here to help, providing as much or as little support as you need to get things done.

Probate and Estate Administration

Preparing Estate Accounts

Preparing Estate Tax Returns

Estate Planning

Executorships

Inheritance Tax and Trust Planning
A Guide to Probate
Probate and estate administration is a legal and financial process which happens after someone has died. It can be a very complicated and lengthy procedure to complete. To help explain the process and the legal and financial terms used, please view our Guide to Probate.
Applying for Probate
Whether you chose to carry out the probate and estate administration process yourself, or you instruct us to do the work for you, the application for probate is still the same and involves:
- Finding the will
- Applying for the grant of representation
- Administering the estate
- Preparing the estate accounts
- Distributing the assets to the beneficiaries of the estate.
A more detailed overview of the process can be found in our Guide to Probate.
Why Griffin Chapman?
Specialists – We are one of only a few qualified chartered accountancy firms in the area who are licensed to carry out probate work. This, combined with our expertise in all areas of accounts, tax and estate administration means you can have total confidence in us handling the whole process for you.
Background Knowledge – If the deceased was a client of ours, we are likely to have all the necessary financial information and background details to make the probate process as smooth as possible. If they were not a client, we can still deal with the probate application should their existing accountant not be licensed to do this work.
Quicker Processing = Reduced Costs – As accountancy and tax specialists we’re used to gathering and calculating financial and tax related information. In doing so, we can reduce the amount of time it takes to compile the necessary information. By speeding up the process we can help you to keep the costs down, leaving more for the beneficiaries.
Competitive Pricing – Whilst solicitors and banks can also carry out probate work, they tend to charge a fixed percentage based on the value of the estate, which could be as high as 4% even for simple estates. We feel that we are very competitively priced compared with other probate specialists and we’re happy to give you a quote based on the volume and complexity of the work which needs to be carried out. We are confident that our approach to gathering the relevant information, calculating what tax is due and administering the estate is quicker and more succinct, therefore keeping costs to a minimum.
Personal Service – whilst carrying out any probate work we are always sensitive to your needs and emotions during this time. You can be sure that we will treat your legal and financial affairs discreetly and in the strictest confidence and take the administrative burden away from you wherever possible.
Contact Us
For more information about our probate and estate administration service, please contact Claire Edwards (claire@griffin-chapman.co.uk).
Advising Businesses For Over 80 Years
We offer a personalised, friendly service to a diverse range of businesses, tailoring our expert support to meet each client’s unique needs and regulatory requirements.
FAQs
How long does probate take?
The timescale for applying for probate varies greatly from one estate to another, and depends on the complexity of the estate. Typically the process takes between six and twelve months. The process can take longer in more complex cases, and where there are delays collating information and in HMRC’s processing of applications.
How much do probate services cost?
Our fees for Probate services are usually quoted and estimated on a time basis. As the time taken to manage a deceased estate can vary based on the complexity of the individual’s circumstances and the types of assets and liabilities involved, this tends to be the fairest way to charge.
As a guide, our fees for administering the estate of a deceased and assisting with probate are usually in the region of £2,000 plus VAT up to £10,000 plus VAT.
Our probate team members hourly rates are as follows:
• Tax Assistant: £85 – £140 plus VAT
• Probate Partner: £300 plus VAT
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