What to Expect at Your First Meeting with a Probate Solicitor

Knowing what to expect at your first meeting with a probate solicitor takes some of the stress out of an already difficult day. The meeting is usually an hour long, friendly and free of jargon. Its purpose is to understand the estate, explain the process, give you an honest cost estimate and let you decide whether to instruct the firm. There is no obligation to proceed and no pressure to decide on the spot. Here we explain exactly what you need to know about a first meeting with a probate solicitor and how to make the most of it.

Before the meeting — what to consider

The most useful preparation is a rough list of what you know about the estate. Check the original will if you have it (and a photocopy in case the solicitor wants to keep one), the death certificate or interim certificate, and any paperwork you have already gathered from banks or pension providers. A short handwritten list of assets and approximate values is enough — you do not need to have done detailed valuations.

You will need photo ID and a recent utility bill or bank statement for yourself. Solicitors are required under money laundering regulations to verify the identity of every executor they act for.

What we will discuss

The first meeting covers several things. We will go through the will to make sure it is valid under the Wills Act 1837 and to confirm who the executors and beneficiaries are. We will look at the rough estate position to assess whether inheritance tax is likely. We will explain the practical steps and the realistic timeline. And we will talk about cost.

You will leave the meeting with a clear picture of what probate involves in your specific case, an estimate of the fees, and time to think before deciding whether to instruct us.

What we will ask you

Expect us to ask about the deceased — when they died, where they lived, whether they were married, whether they had children from earlier relationships and whether they owned property. We will ask about the assets — bank accounts, pensions, life policies, investments, property, business interests and personal belongings of value.

We will also ask about any potential complications: did anyone live with the deceased, are there family members likely to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, were any lifetime gifts made in the last seven years, was the deceased acting under a Lasting Power of Attorney at any point covered by the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

How we will explain cost

Cost is one of the most important parts of the first meeting. We do not charge percentage fees. We work on transparent fixed fees for predictable estates and capped hourly rates for more complex ones. We will tell you in writing what we expect the work to cost before any of it starts.

The 2026 court fee for probate is £300 for estates over £5,000 and nil below that. The 2026 inheritance tax thresholds are £325,000 nil-rate band plus up to £175,000 residence nil-rate band with 40% above. Our guide to probate costs sets out the full pricing structure.

What happens after the meeting

If you decide to instruct us, you sign a written engagement letter that confirms what we are doing, who is doing it and what it will cost. We then write to every institution holding an asset, request valuations and start preparing the tax forms and probate application. We keep you informed at every stage.

If you decide not to instruct us, you are free to do so. Many of our first meetings end with the client choosing to handle the work themselves with confidence — and that is a perfectly good outcome. You can also check solicitor regulation on the SRA website. See our probate process page for more.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like to arrange a first meeting with one of our probate solicitors, please call us on 0800 214 216 for a same day callback. We will book a time that suits you and tell you exactly what to bring.

Written by Simon Jenkins, solicitor and director of Curtis Legal Limited (SRA 167489)