Preparation of a straightforward basic will for an individual. A Basic Will includes appointment of executors, appointment of guardians for minor children, if necessary and a gift of your estate to one person or divided between more than one person.

What's included:

Appointment to discuss your requirements

Consideration of whether Inheritance tax will be payable on your estate

Preparation of the draft Will for approval

Once approved arranging for the Will to be signed and witnessed

What's not included:

Any tax planning issues or solutions other than inheritance tax levels and the likely tax due on the basis of your current assets

No trusts or property rights of residence will be included

Preparation of straightforward mirror wills for couples. A basic will includes appointment of executors, appointment of guardians for minor children and a gift of your estate to one person or divided between more than one person.

What's included:

Appointment to discuss your requirements

Consideration of whether Inheritance tax will be payable on your estate

Guardians included if any children below 18 years

Preparation of the draft Wills for approval

Once approved arranging for the Will to be signed and witnessed

What's not included:

Any tax planning other than inheritance tax levels and likely tax due on basis of current assets

No trusts or property rights of residence will be included

Negotiating and reaching agreement on an matters relating to children, such as contact.

What's included:

Advice on options available

Confirming any proposals to be made or that are received from the other party

Negotiations with the other party as appropriate

Reaching an agreement, if possible

A maximum of 3 hours work (including all meetings, telpehone, letters and e-mails)

What's not included:

Any application to Court for the matter to be dealt with, if agreement can't be reached

Drafting any agreement reached

Any work over the initial 3 hours

Where it has not been possible to reach agreement with the other party and it becomes necessary to apply to the Court under the Children Act over a private law child issue such as contact. This fixed fee would include making the application to Court and attending the First Appointment at Court. You will be required to have attended Mediation, if appropriate.

What's included:

Advice on the options available to you

Completing the application forms on your behalf

Providing you with the application form for remission of fees with guidance

Issuing the application at Court

Negotiating a settlement, if possible

Drafting/approving a proposed consent order, if agreement is reached without the need to attend Court Up to 6 hours work (meetings/ telephone calls/correspondence/e-mail, with you and the other side and attending Court hearing)

What's not included:

Court Fees

Costs of travel to Court

Other professionals fees, such as a barrister Instruction of any other professional or expert such as a barrister

Any work over 6 hours * If it is not possible for a member of this firm to attend the hearing a barrister will be instructed. This will incur a separate charge, agreed with you prior to attending court

Where an application has been made to Court in relation to private Child law matters such as contact issues, and you have already had the First Appointment hearing. This fixed fee would include all work from the First Appointment Hearing up to and including the Directions Hearing. You will be required to have attended Mediation, if appropriate prior to issuing the Court papers.

What's included:

Initial meeting to advise on the options available to you

All work involved from the First Appointment hearing to the Directions Hearing

Preparation of any witness statement ordered by the Court Correspondence and negotiation with the other parent to reach settlement, if possible

Drafting and approval of a proposed consent order, if agreement is reached before the next hearing or at Court

Representation at the Directions hearing

Preparation of any Court Order if instructed by the Court during the hearing

A maximum of 10 hours work dealing on your behalf (including meetings, telephone, letters, email and Court attendance)

What's not included:

Court Fees

Costs of travel to Court

Other professionals fees, such as a barrister or other expert If a barrister is needed there is an additional fee to instruct an appropriate barrister

Any work over 10 hours

Where negotiations have not been successful in dealing with any private law Child law issues and an application to the Court is the next step, for example to deal with contact. This fixed fee would assist with a referral to mediation and completing the Court application forms. The Court will have expected the parties to have tried to settle matters through mediation if appropriate, prior to the application being made.

What's included:

Initial meeting to discuss the issue and advise you on the available options

Referral to Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting

Completing the application forms on your behalf Issuing the application at Court

A maximum of 2 hours work (including all meetings, telephone calls, letters and e-mails)

What's not included:

Court Fees

Costs of travel to Court

Other professionals fees, such as a barrister

Work in excess of 2 hours

Where an application has been made to Court by you or the other parent under the Children Act over a private law child issue such as contact. This fixed fee would include all work from the Directions Hearing up to the Final Hearing, including attending the hearing with you but not representing you. You will be required to have attended Mediation, if appropriate prior to issuing the Court papers.

What's included:

All work involved from the Directions or Review Hearing up to the Final Hearing

Completing all steps set out in any Directions Order from the Court including preparing statements

Obtaining any specialist reports as ordered by the Court

Correspondence and negotiating with the other parent to reach settlement, if possible

Drafting and approval of a proposed consent order, if agreement is reached prior to the hearing

Attending any meeting with you and a barrister instructed to represent you at the hearing

Attending Court with you on the morning of the Final hearing

A maximum of 20 hours work (including attending you, attending any meeting, telephone, letters, email and document preparation)

What's not included:

Court Fees

Representation at the Final Hearing (a barrister will represent you at the hearing)

Costs of travel to Court

Other professionals fees, such as a barrister for other hearing

Any time over 20 hours of work

If you have received divorce papers, or dissolution of civil partnership papers, you are the Respondent.This fixed fee will enable you to obtain a divorce provided, it is undefended. It does not cover any work in relation to dealing with any financial matter or issues with children.

What's included:

Advice on the process and options available

Responding to Divorce Proceedings issued

Completion of the Acknowledgment of Service and filing with the Court

Notifying you of the key dates (Decree Nisi/Decree Absolute)

Sending you the Divorce Order

What's not included:

Court fees (only payable by Respondent if you need to obtain the Decree Absolute)

Any negotiation or settlement of financial and property issues

Dealing with any child issues

Amending the divorce petition

Any costs associated with a contested divorce

If you wish to start divorce proceedings or dissolve your civil partnership, you are the Petitioner. This fixed fee will enable you to issue the divorce and obtain a Decree Absolute (the final Order confirming the Divorce) provided, it is not contested, ie your spouse or civil partner also agrees to the divorce. It does not cover any work in relation to dealing with any financial matter or issues with children.

What's included:

An initial meeting with you

Preparation of the relevant court forms

Issuing the divorce at the Court

Obtaining the Decree Nisi

Applying for the Decree Absolute

What's not included:

Court fees

Obtaining a copy marriage certificate if needed

Translation of any marriage certificate

Any issues with service of any documents on your spouse

Any negotiation or settlement of financial and property issues

Dealing with any child issues

Amending the divorce petition

Any costs associated with a contested divorce

Preparation of four Lasting Powers of Attorney for couples including one of each type of Lasting Power of Attorney (Health and Welfare & Property and Financial Matters) for each of you. 

What's included:

Meeting with both of you to discuss your requirements

Preparation of the Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPA) that you require

Ensuring the necessary signatures are obtained to enable the LPAs to be registered

Completion of the application to register the LPAs

Registration of the LPAs with the Office of the Public Guardian

What's not included:

Registration fees x 4  

Consent Order Advice Advice on any agreement reached between you and the other party on how your property and finances will be dealt with on divorce or dissolution. The agreement may have been reached following mediation, or just between the parties themselves. This is an advice only service. A Consent Order that will need to be approved by the Court, will not be prepared.

What's included:

Meeting with you to discuss the agreement reached on the information available to you at the time

Advice and guidance on whether there are any issues that may have been overlooked in the agreement

A letter confirming the advice given

A letter to the other party confirming the terms of agreement that have been reached

A maximum two hours work (including meeting, telephoine, letters and e-mails)

What's not included:

Considering any financial information or other information that the agreement was based upon

Obtaining any further information or clarification of finances or other circumstances

Re-negotiation of terms of agreement with the other party

Preparation of a Consent Order

Application to Court

Any work over 2 hours

*If your gross assets are above £450,000 then there is an increased fee of £440

Preparation of a single Lasting Power of Attorney for either Health and Welfare or Property and Financial Matters.  

What's included:

Meeting with you to discuss your requirements

Preparation of the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) that you require

Ensuring the necessary signatures are obtained to enable the LPA to be registered

Completion of the application to register the LPA

Registration of the LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian

What's not included:

Registration fee x 1

Preparation of two Lasting Powers of Attorney either one of each type (Health and Welfare & Property and Financial Matters) or for couples two of the same type of Lasting Power of Attorney.  

What's included:

Meeting with you to discuss your requirements

Preparation of the Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPA) that you require

Ensuring the necessary signatures are obtained to enable the LPAs to be registered

Completion of the application to register the LPAs

Registration of the LPAs with the Office of the Public Guardian  

What's not included:

Registration fees x 2

To represent you at the first hearing of a private child law case in Court. This fee does not operate in care proceedings matters. The First Conciliation hearing is the initial hearing.

What's included:

Representation at the First Conciliation hearing, attending as your legal advocate.

Preparation of any Court Order if instructed by the Court during the hearing

Preparation of any Consent Order, if agreement is reached prior to attending the hearing

Advising of any proposals received from the other party

What's not included:

Costs of travel to Court

Preparation of any documents for the Court proceedings

Any responsibility for complying with any Court directions, except preparation of a Court Order if required by the Court

Writing to other people for documentation

A Probate Service designed for estates that are below the Nil Rate Band threshhold so will have no Inheritance Tax due to be paid upon them. The firm will undertake all work including valuing the assets, obtaining any Grant that is necessary, settling any debts due from the estate and distributing the estate once all steps have been completed.

What is included:

Initial interview to advise you on available options

Receiving and reviewing the Death certificate

Receiving and checking the Will (if there is one) and advising you on it

Corresponding with all financial institutions to obtain valuations

Obtaining other valuations on all other assets, including property

Receiving and reviewing all paperwork relating to the assets and liabilities

Preparing form IHT205

Preparing Oath for Executor or Oath for Administrator

Apply to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

Dealing with any queries from the Probate Registry

Advice on searching for lost assets

Obtaining statutory advertising to protect the Executors

Receiving the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

Sending you the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

Obtaining clearance from HMRC for the deceased's tax affairs

Preparation of estate accounts

Bankruptcy checks on all beneficiaries

Distribution of the estate

What's not included:

Undertaking a Will search

Completion of IHT217 for transferable Nil Rate Band

Other expert fees for example valuers, auctioneers

Court fees and swear fees

Completion of forms where an amount of Inheritance Tax is due (IHT 400 and supporting documents)

Any other issues arising relating to validity of the Will or if Probate is contested

Dealing with the deceased's business

Advice relating to shareholdings or investments

Variation to the estate

Income tax returns to date of death if the deceased was a self assessed tax payer

Identifying beneficiaries to the estate

Administration of estates where the deceased was domiciled abroard or there are foreign assets to administer

A Grant Only Service designed for executors and administrators who have the time to deal with administering the assets themselves, but wish to have the necessary documents relating to Inheritance tax and obtaining the Grant of Representation prepared on their behalf. The administrator or executor will be required to provide all asset information. The estate must be valued below the Inheritance tax Threshold to be able to use this service, ie there will be no inheritance tax to pay.

What is included:

Initial interview to advise you on available options, can be done either in person or by email if you would prefer

Receiving and reviewing the Death certificate

Receiving and checking the Will (if there is one) and advising you on it

Receiving and reviewing all paperwork relating to the assets and liabilities, you will provide all the values.

Preparing form IHT205 and if necessary IHT217 for transferable Nil Rate Band

Preparing Oath for Executor or Oath for Administrator

Apply to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

Dealing with any queries from the Probate Registry Advice on searching for lost assets

Advice on statutory advertising to protect the Executors

Receiving the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

Sending you the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

What's not included:

Corresponding with financial institutions and obtaining any financial information

Obtaining any valuations of assets

Any disbursements payable, for example, court fees and swear fees

Completion of forms where an amount of Inheritance Tax is due (IHT 400 and supporting documents)

Any other issues arising relating to validity of the Will or if Probate is contested

Any distribution of the estate. This will be the administrator or executors responsibility If later on you decide you wish the firm to deal with the full administration they would be happy to do so.  

Financial Consent Order - Applicant drafting only

If you have been successful in reaching an agreement concerning your finances, property and any children issues you have, with your spouse or civil partner, a consent order can be prepared and submitted to Court for approval. The person applying for the Order is the Applicant. This fixed fee will apply where the couples gross assets are below £450,000. If the assets are over this the fee will be £660. This fee is to prepare the Consent Orderr and apply to the Court for approval only. It does not include any further negotiation with the other party of their representatives.

What's included:

Advice whether the agreement reached is reasonable (with no sight of supporting financial documents)

Advice whether Court is likely to approve the agreement reached

Drafting the proposed consent order

Drafting Court documents to enable an application for a consent order to be made

Corresponding with the other side

Corresponding with the court to obtain the order

A maximum of three hours work (including meeting with yoiu, telephone, letters and e-mails as well as preparation of the document)

What's not included:

Court Fees

Attending any hearing which may arise, for example the court requests a clarification hearing

Any work needed following an order being made to comply with/enforce the Order

Any work necessary to transfer or sell property or other assets after any order is made

Inclusion of a pension sharing annexe in the Order. This will cost a further fee of £120.00

Work in excess of 3 hours

*If your gross assets are above £450,000 then there is an increased fee of £660

Financial Consent Order - Applicant - Negotiation & Drafting

When a marriage or civil partnership breaks down and the property and finances need to be divided the couple may need assistance negotiation an agreement. Once an agreement is reached then the Court has to approve that agreement in the form of a Consent Order. The Consent Order deals with the division of the property and finances of a couple on divorce or dissolution. The person who applies for the Consent Order to be approved by the Court is the Applicant.

What's included:

Advice on options available to you and how you may divide any assets

Completion of a Form E confirming your finances

Request that the other party also complete a Form E

Negotiation with the other party as to how a fair division can be achieved

Advising you on any proposals that could be made or that have been received

Preparation of the draft consent order

Dealing with the other party to achieve agreement on the draft consent order, before applying to Court for approval

A maximum of eight hours work (including meetings, telephone, letters, e-mail and document preparation)

What's not included:

Court Fees

Writing to third parties to obtain financial information, such as a redemption figure for a mortgage

Other expert fees eg surveyor, barrister

Other fees for provision of information

Hearing attendance.

These are very rare but the Court sometimes requests a Clarification Hearing

Any work in excess of 8 hours

*If your gross assets are above £450,000 then there is an increased fee of £1760

After the First Hearing to Resolution

Once the application has been made to Court to deal with the property and finances of a couple on divorce or dissolution and you have had the First Appointment Hearing there are further hearings that take place if the couple are unable to reach agreement through negotiation. Once financial disclosure has taken place, by way of a Form E then the couple should really be trying to agree a settlement. This fixed fee will enable negotiations to start and/or continue between the parties in the hope that a settlement can be agreed before the Financial Dispute Resolution hearing.

What's included:

Continued disclosure of any further financial information that becomes available or has been requested

Advice on any offers that could be made to try and settle matters or that have been received from the other party

Assistance complying with any directions made by the Court at the First Appointment hearing

Assistance completing Questionnaires or Replies to Questionnaires

Correspondence with the other party or their representatives including negotiation of any settlement proposals

Representation at the Financial Dispute Resolution Hearing and preparation of any Consent Order if settlement is agreed at Court

A maximum of 20 hours work on your behalf (including meetings, telephone letters, email and document preparation)

What's not included:

Court Fees

Other fees such as valuations, barrister fees or surveyors

Any work in excess of 20 hours

*If your gross assets are above £450,000 then there is an increased fee of £4400

Consent Order - Application to First Appointment Hearing

Where negotiation has been unsuccessful in dealing with a couples property and finances on divorce or dissolution, an application to the Court may be necessary. This fixed fee deals with the application to Court and all steps up to and including the First Appointment Hearing.

What's included:

Initial meeting to advice upon any options available

Preparing the Application to the Court

Issuing the Court papers

Initial meeting to discuss what is required to complete the Form E (financial information form)

Completion of the necessary forms including Form E

Advice on any offers that could be considered to settle matters or that have been received

Correspondence with the other party or their representatives including disclosure of necessary documents and offers if applicable

Attendance with you the morning of the Court hearing

Up to 16 hours work on your behalf (including meetings, telephone, letters and e-mails)

What's not included:

Court Fees

Travel costs to Court

Other fees such as a surveyor or valuers fee or a barrister

Preparation of any Consent Order if you manage to agree a settlement during negotiations (not at the hearing)

Correspondence with other parties to obtain financial information on your behalf

Instructing a barrister to represent you at the Hearing

Any other Hearing

Anything in excess of 16 hours work

*If your gross assets are above £450,000 then there is an increased fee of £3520

If you are purchasing or own a property with another person it is important that you agree and record how you wish to own the property, either as Joint Tenants or as Tenants in Common. They each have different legal and financial consequences. Be sure that you understand the effect of the Declaration of Trust that you enter into. You should also consider whether you need your Will updating or preparing when you own property.

What's included:

Initial meeting to explain the options and the consequences of the different types of property ownership

Taking your instructions to prepare a standard

Declaration of Trust

Preparing the Declaration of Trust

Ensuring that the Declaratiuon of Trust is signed and witnessed correctly

What's not included:

Inclusion of specific non-standard clauses dealing with other aspects of ownership

Dealing with complex calculations regarding financial contributions to the property purchase

Advice of the many diferent forms of Declaration of Trust