Solicitor’s Probate & Conveyancing Fees – Are these reasonable?

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newinvest

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My father recently passed away, and we're using a solicitor to handle probate. My dad’s will is very straightforward—it's a single-page document stating that his estate is to be divided equally between his four children. The estate is also simple, comprising just the family home valued at €500,000, with no mortgage, debts, insurance policies, or other complexities.

I plan to buy out my siblings' share of the family home during the probate process.

The solicitor has quoted the following fees:

  • Probate: 2%
  • Conveyancing: 0.5%
    (Both percentages are exclusive of VAT.)

This amounts to €15,375 including VAT.

This feels quite expensive to me, particularly given how straightforward the case appears. I've noticed some solicitors offering fixed-price probate services online, and I'm wondering if the quote I've received is typical or excessive.

Has anyone here had experience with similar probate and conveyancing scenarios? I'd really appreciate any insight or advice regarding typical costs for this type of straightforward estate.

Thanks very much in advance!
 
newinvest said:
My dad’s will is very straightforward
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Who is the executor?
newinvest said:
I plan to buy out my siblings' share of the family home during the probate process.
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If this is happening as part of the probate rather than the property passing into your joint names and you buying them out after probate (which would involve additional legal fees) then perhaps it's a simple will but potentially a not so simple probate and thus reflected in the quote/estimate of charges that's been issued?

If you're the executor then why not sound out another solicitor for comparison?

You might find some useful information in previous threads on this issue...

 
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newinvest said:
This amounts to €15,375 including VAT.
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Outrageous charges on the face of it.

Do probate yourself and save thousands immediately. Charging a percentage of the value of the estate is a complete and total rip-off. DIY probate will save you at least €11,000.00 immediately. There is no need to further, needlessly enrich the cowboy you're dealing with
 
That's very expensive for what should be a relatively straightforward probate.

You should ask for a more detailed breakdown of costs. For example. you probably will need to get the property valued, is he including that or will it be extra.?
 
Thank you for the replies. There's nothing else really included, valuation, court fees, etc. are all detailed seperately.

I feel like probate is something that I could possibly do myself, but I would expect conveyancing to be handled by a solicitor. I know conveyancing can be expensive and can mean a significant body of work, but am I missing something if we are all in agreement in the family re: probate, there are no skeletons in the closet, and essentially we are submitting a statement of affairs to revenue, and then the death cert and probate form.
 
Its the exec's decision at the end of the day.

If your sibling is fairly organised / methodical then DIY probate is very doable.

The statement of affairs is online now - take a look through it first.

You would be advised to use a Solicitor for the sale.
 
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