How Much Does a Solicitor Charge for Inheritance Tax?
Solicitors charge £200 to £579 per hour plus VAT for inheritance tax work, depending on seniority and location. A full IHT400 return typically costs £877 to £1,169 plus VAT on top of standard probate fees. Complex estate planning packages combining wills, trusts, and powers of attorney run £2,000 to £10,000 as a fixed fee.
Solicitor fees for IHT-related work in England and Wales vary depending on the task. Hourly rates run from £200 to £579 plus VAT for solicitors and legal executives, with partners charging toward the top of that range.
When an estate is taxable and the executors must submit a full IHT account (form IHT400) to HMRC, the solicitor's work on that return typically costs £877 to £1,169 plus VAT, on top of standard probate fees.
For IHT planning advice, a solicitor drawing up a complex will with trusts may charge a flat fee of £1,000 to £5,000 or more, depending on complexity. A full estate planning package that combines a will, lasting powers of attorney, and trust arrangements will cost more again.
Some firms also use percentage-based fees, ranging from 0.5% to 2% of the estate value. On a £1 million estate, that means £5,000 to £20,000.
Always ask for a written quote before you proceed. Compare fixed-fee and hourly options and make sure you understand what is included.
When an estate is taxable and the executors must submit a full IHT account (form IHT400) to HMRC, the solicitor's work on that return typically costs £877 to £1,169 plus VAT, on top of standard probate fees.
For IHT planning advice, a solicitor drawing up a complex will with trusts may charge a flat fee of £1,000 to £5,000 or more, depending on complexity. A full estate planning package that combines a will, lasting powers of attorney, and trust arrangements will cost more again.
Some firms also use percentage-based fees, ranging from 0.5% to 2% of the estate value. On a £1 million estate, that means £5,000 to £20,000.
Always ask for a written quote before you proceed. Compare fixed-fee and hourly options and make sure you understand what is included.
What Exactly Are You Paying a Solicitor to Do?
Solicitor fees for IHT cover distinct pieces of work, and firms often quote them separately. The main tasks include: drafting or updating a will with IHT-efficient provisions, setting up trusts (discretionary, life interest, or bare trusts), preparing and submitting the IHT400 form to HMRC after death, applying for the grant of probate, and advising on lifetime gifts and property transfers.
The January 2026 guideline hourly rates from the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary set Grade A solicitors (those with 8+ years’ experience) at £288 to £579 depending on location. Grade B (4+ years) ranges from £247 to £393. Most IHT work is handled by Grade B or C practitioners outside central London, so realistic hourly rates sit between £200 and £262 plus VAT.
A standard probate matter without IHT complications takes 10 to 20 hours of solicitor time. Add IHT reporting, and that figure increases to 20 to 40 hours. On a percentage basis, the Law Society’s own data shows probate fees averaging 1% to 5% of the gross estate value for full administration.
The January 2026 guideline hourly rates from the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary set Grade A solicitors (those with 8+ years’ experience) at £288 to £579 depending on location. Grade B (4+ years) ranges from £247 to £393. Most IHT work is handled by Grade B or C practitioners outside central London, so realistic hourly rates sit between £200 and £262 plus VAT.
A standard probate matter without IHT complications takes 10 to 20 hours of solicitor time. Add IHT reporting, and that figure increases to 20 to 40 hours. On a percentage basis, the Law Society’s own data shows probate fees averaging 1% to 5% of the gross estate value for full administration.
When a Solicitor Is Essential (and When an IFA May Be Better Value)
You need a solicitor specifically for legal documents: wills, trust deeds, property transfers, and deeds of variation. Only a solicitor can handle conveyancing if property is being moved into a trust or transferred between family members.
For the investment and insurance side of IHT planning, such as whole-of-life policies written in trust, pension death benefit nominations, and investment portfolio restructuring, a regulated financial adviser is usually better placed and often cheaper per hour than a solicitor for that specific work.
The most cost-effective approach for estates above £500,000 is to use both professionals: a solicitor for the legal documents and an IFA for the financial strategy. This avoids paying solicitor rates for work they don’t handle day-to-day.
For the investment and insurance side of IHT planning, such as whole-of-life policies written in trust, pension death benefit nominations, and investment portfolio restructuring, a regulated financial adviser is usually better placed and often cheaper per hour than a solicitor for that specific work.
The most cost-effective approach for estates above £500,000 is to use both professionals: a solicitor for the legal documents and an IFA for the financial strategy. This avoids paying solicitor rates for work they don’t handle day-to-day.
How to Reduce Your Solicitor Bill
Request a fixed-fee quote rather than agreeing to hourly billing. Most firms offer fixed fees for will-writing (£500 to £1,500 for a mirror will pair with trust provisions) and for IHT400 preparation (£1,000 to £2,500 depending on estate complexity).
Prepare before your appointment. Gather property valuations, bank statements, pension values, life insurance details, and a list of lifetime gifts made in the past seven years. A solicitor working from organised paperwork will spend fewer billable hours than one chasing documents on your behalf.
Ask whether the firm charges separately for initial IHT advice or whether it is bundled into the will-drafting fee. Some firms include a 30-minute IHT review as standard when preparing a will; others bill it as a separate consultation.
For straightforward estates, consider whether you need IHT planning advice from a specialist firm rather than a general high-street practice. Specialist firms often charge more per hour but complete the work faster because IHT planning is their daily focus.
Prepare before your appointment. Gather property valuations, bank statements, pension values, life insurance details, and a list of lifetime gifts made in the past seven years. A solicitor working from organised paperwork will spend fewer billable hours than one chasing documents on your behalf.
Ask whether the firm charges separately for initial IHT advice or whether it is bundled into the will-drafting fee. Some firms include a 30-minute IHT review as standard when preparing a will; others bill it as a separate consultation.
For straightforward estates, consider whether you need IHT planning advice from a specialist firm rather than a general high-street practice. Specialist firms often charge more per hour but complete the work faster because IHT planning is their daily focus.
Will-Writing and Probate Fees vs IHT-Planning Fees
Not every job needs full IHT planning. If you only need a will drawn up or an estate administered, solicitor fees are more predictable:
| Task | Typical solicitor fee |
|---|---|
| Basic single will | £200–£500 |
| Mirror wills for a couple, with trust provisions | £500–£1,500 |
| Executing a will (probate administration) | 1–5% of the estate, often £2,500–£10,000+ |
| IHT400 return (taxable estate) | £877–£1,169 + VAT |
| Full estate planning (will + trusts + LPAs) | £2,000–£10,000 |
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