You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Clear, caring, ICAEW-regulated probate support for North London families – at your pace, with no surprises

Call us for a free consultation: +44 (0)20 8343 0583

Losing someone you love is hard enough, without also feeling lost in paperwork, jargon and uncertainty about cost. That’s exactly why we’re here.

We’re Spencer Hyde a local, ICAEW-regulated probate team based in Finchley, supporting families across Barnet, Harrow and North London since 2004. We’ll explain clearly what needs to happen, handle the detail carefully, and make sure you always feel in control. Never rushed. Never out of your depth.

“Dealing with a loved one’s affairs is never easy and it often comes at a time when you have the least energy to face something unfamiliar. My aim is simple: to explain clearly what needs to happen and make sure you always feel in control never rushed. If it would help to talk things through even just to ask a question please do call or email me directly. There is no charge and no obligation.”

Antony Youselli, Director Spencer Hyde | antony@spencerhyde.co.uk | +44 (0)20 8343 0583

Why Families Trust Spencer Hyde

✓ Regulated and accountable
Authorised by the ICAEW for probate work (firm reference C001369088) with professional indemnity insurance and a compensation scheme behind every instruction.

✓ Fair transparent pricing
We charge for the time we spend not a slice of the estate so a larger estate never means an inflated bill. No hidden costs ever.

✓ A named person not a call centre
You’ll work directly with Antony and his small experienced team the same faces throughout who already understand your situation.

✓ As much or as little help as you need
From a single conversation to full estate administration you choose the level of support and we adapt around you.

How We Help

Every family’s situation is different so we tailor our involvement to what you actually need. Typically this includes:

• Applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration;
• Valuing the estate’s assets and liabilities with care and attention to detail;
• Preparing the Inheritance Tax return and calculating the tax position accurately;
• Liaising with HMRC and other organisations on your behalf so you don’t have to;
• Collecting in assets and settling debts;
• Preparing clear estate accounts; and
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

Prefer to handle some of this yourself? That’s absolutely fine we can take on just the Grant application for example and leave the rest to you. You stay in control of how much we do.

What Happens Step by Step

1. A friendly no-obligation conversation we listen and explain what’s involved for your situation.
2. We gather the details assets debts and beneficiaries at your pace.
3. We apply for the Grant preparing the tax position and the application itself.
4. We administer the estate collecting assets settling liabilities paying any tax due.
5. We finalise everything clear estate accounts and distribution to beneficiaries.

Clear Fair Pricing No Surprises

We know cost is often the biggest worry at a time like this. So here it is in plain terms: we charge for the time our team spends on your matter at the published rates below never a percentage of the estate’s value.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

There are two separate costs to think about: the fixed court fee (the same whoever handles your application) and the professional fee for the work involved which varies hugely depending on who you instruct and how they charge.

Many solicitors and banks charge 1% to 5% of the gross estate for full administration. On a £500,000 estate a 2% fee alone would be £10,000 even where the actual work is straightforward. We charge for the time our team spends on your matter instead so a typical straightforward estate of this size would usually fall within our £3,000 to £6,000 full administration range (see below): a saving of several thousand pounds which stays with your family rather than going on fees.

Our hourly rates

What you can expect to pay

• Grant application only (straightforward estate no Inheritance Tax payable): £1,500 to £2,750 plus VAT and disbursements.
• Full estate administration straightforward no Inheritance Tax payable: £3,000 to £6,000 plus VAT and disbursements.
• Full estate administration more complex or taxable estate: typically £6,000 to £12,000+ plus VAT and disbursements confirmed by individual quotation.

These are a helpful guide not the final word. We’ll always give you a tailored estimate once we understand your circumstances and tell you in writing before doing any extra work if costs are likely to change. A simple online estimate tool is available [insert link once built] to give you an indicative figure straight away.

Other costs to expect (disbursements)

These are third-party costs separate from our fee. We’ll always confirm which apply to you: