Can someone explain going through probate for me

[SippingSipsmith]

I'm trying to help my Dad.

His nephew died the nephews only living close relative was my auntie - my Dad's sister who then died while the first estate was going through probate.

My Dad is now the sole beneficiary of both these estates. The executor is their (my auntie and cousin's) solicitor.

My Dad has received an invoice about £7k for each estate for charges up until IHT.

Is that roughly correct? It would be above normal as their estates are a mess and complicated - lots of debt consolidation services and all sorts. I mean how long is a piece of string but is that vaguely normal?

The solicitor says they don't require payment yet.

Can someone please explain in lay terms the process. I've tried googling but can't find anything that's as good as just asking someone. The process and the when charges are due at what stage would be great.

Thanks so much

Just to make sure I've got the facts straight:

Your Aunt was, ignoring any legacies of items/amounts to individuals, the sole beneficiary of her son's estate. Your Father inherits similarly under her will. The same solicitor is the executor of for both your Dad's sister's estate and that of the son who predeceased her?

Is the charge £7k for each estate so £14k in total?

Technically, I think, the Nephew's estate falls into his Mother's. That, in turn, goes to your Dad.

You mention IHT. Is either estate of the size where IHT is payable or likely to be payable?

For two estates where IHT is at issue I'd say £14k isn't too far off what you'd expect.

We paid around £15k in total for the professional co-Executor of my Mother's estate which was close to the IHT threshold but with the situation complicated by various exemptions, carry overs not used on our Father's death etc. They gave us that as a fixed fee quote immediately after her death.

The IHT aspect, in practice, took a lot of time/effort. Her generosity to family in her later years combined with paying us irregular largish sums for stuff we'd bought, or services we'd organised, on her behalf involved something close to forensic accountancy. If they'd known what they knew a year after her death at the time they quoted they'd probably not have been prepared to give a fixed price at all. If they had it would have been a lot more!!

Yes you have understood correctly

Yes £14k for both estates including and up until IHT forms stage but then they say to basically expect that again for the rest of the process.

That's great to know that it's in the right ball park, thank you. I don't have any experience and my parents are clueless on everything.

So the rest of the charges should relate to IHT and grant of probate and basically just finalising absolutely everything I guess?