Simplified Excepted Estate Probate & Inheritance Tax Service

There are two routes to file financial records and taxes due or not with HMRC using the simplified “Excepted Estate” route or if you need to, the Full IHT 400. 

This service is for a Simplified “Excepted Estate” route for HMRC on Death.


Use an Excepted Estate Return (Simplified IHT205‑style process) if:

The estate meets all of the following:

  • Death on or after 6 April 2004, and
    • Before 6 April 2025: deceased was UK‑domiciled
    • On/after 6 April 2025: deceased was a long‑term UK resident
  • Gross estate value is within the relevant limits (see categories below)
  • Foreign assets, if any, are ≤ £100,000
  • Trust assets, if any, are in a single trust and within limits
  • Specified transfers (lifetime gifts) are ≤ £250,000
  • No gift with reservation (GWR) of benefit
  • No complex reliefs claimed (e.g., Agricultural and Business Property Relief)

The Three Types of Excepted Estate:

A.  Low‑Value Excepted Estate - 

  • Used where Gross estate ≤ Nil‑Rate Band (£325,000), Trust assets (if any): ≤ £250,000, Foreign assets (if any): ≤ £100,000, Specified transfers: ≤ £250,000, No Gifts With Reservation, UK Domicile/long‑term residence rules depending on date of death.

B.  Exempt Excepted Estate

  • Used where the estate is large but fully exempt because it all passes to a spouse/civil partner or charity.
  • Typical scenario: £1.5m estate left entirely to a UK‑domiciled spouse → qualifies.

C.  “Transferable NRB” Excepted Estate (post‑2022 rules)

  • Used where Gross estate ≤ £650,000 (NRB + full transferable NRB), No foreign assets, No trusts, Gifts in last 7 years within annual exemptions, Deceased UK‑domiciled / long‑term UK resident.
  • Typical scenario: Widowed individual, modest estate, no gifts.

See: Excepted Estates v Full IHT Returns

If the estate does not qualify as an 'Excepted Estate' then Full IHT 400 Returns will be required

See: Full IHT 400 Probate Service


An Initial and Complete Service for a Simplified “Excepted Estate” for HMRC to secure Probate for the Deceased's Estate Including Dealing with Property, Trusts, Existing Insurance, Pensions, Investments, Tax, Income and Status:

We act as agent of the executor or personal representative of the deceased to research, gather financial information and report on estate property, gifts within annual allowances, no regular gifts from excess/surplus income, no 'ad hoc' gifts within the last 7 years as potentially exempt transfers that then become chargeable transfers on death, no gifts with reservation, no taper relief applicable, insurance, pensions, investments and insurance portfolio to include a full review of mortgages and debts (where applicable), tax reliefs, premiums paid, charges, penalties, investment returns, values, funds, proving the Will.

We will also consider deed of variation, assignment where applicable, deal with proof of zero inheritance tax calculation, dealing with HMRC, completion of self assessment income tax forms on death, nil inheritance tax returns and estate forms with considerations for tax, trust, best use of tax relief options for the deceased’s estate.  

Estate valuation, zero inheritance tax calculation confirmation, producing Estate Accounts and dealing with HMRC and Land Registry to the point of executors submitting the Will and Excepted Estate Inheritance Tax confirmation to Probate for approval of the Will and distribution of the estate.  Estate forms and any applications will be handled by us but signed by you as Executor/Personal Representative.  Works are complete when probate is granted.

Fees are made up of two parts to make up the total fee:

  1. Core/Fixed Fee Element - this is a fixed, flat fee per estate, whether the estate is value £50,000, £100,000, £500,000 or more, there are some works and analysis required that are the same irrespective of the size of the estate.
  2. % Estate Value Element – this is a 'one off' fee based upon the value of the estate.  It is representative of the additional works that we may take on as your estate adviser.  A smaller estate will have less work/data gathering involved and possibly no inheritance taxes to pay, a larger estate is likely to have much work works involved and more complex inheritance tax forms and submissions and this is reflected in part of the fee being linked to the estate value.

These are 'ONE OFF' fees.  There is NO ONGOING % adviser charge.

Additional Fees That You May Need to Pay Outside This Service:

  • Probate Court Application Fee, Additional Copies of the Grant, Property Valuation Fees, Unclaimed Asset and Bankruptcy Search Fees, Public/Gazette Notices and Auctioneer Fees if any assets are sold at Auction.

Wills and Will writing services are not currently regulated by the Law Society, or the Financial Conduct Authority, or any other regulatory body.  That said, as part of us qualifying as Chartered Insurers and then Chartered Financial Planners (both 1st Class Honours Degree standard) under the Royal Charter granted by King George V on 17 January, 1912 and also becoming Fellows of the Personal Financial Society, we studied and passed the Chartered Insurance Institute’s advanced modules in English Law, Property and Pecuniary Insurance Law, Life Insurance Law, Pensions Law and Taxation and Trust Law (each module at ‘A’ level standard) as well as having full, professional indemnity insurance cover of £1,850,000 to protect both you our clients as well as ourselves.

Pricing / Purchase Options

1. Non Face to Face Paid Upfront
25% Discount Part 1 Fee
Part 1 : Core Fee Element (Upfront) - £1,575.00
Part 2 : % Estate Value (Upfront) - 0.75% of Approximate Value of the Estate (£)
2. Non Face to Face Paid On Completion
15% Discount Part 1 Fee
Part 1 : Core Fee Element (Completion) - £1,785.00
Part 2 : % Estate Value (Completion) - 0.75% of Approximate Value of the Estate (£)
3. Face to Face Paid Upfront
10% Discount Part 1 Fee
Part 1 : Core Fee Element (Upfront) - £1,890.00
Part 2 : % Estate Value (Upfront) - 0.75% of Approximate Value of the Estate (£)
4. Face to Face Paid On Completion
Standard Fee
Part 1 : Core Fee Element (Completion) - £2,100.00
Part 2 : % Estate Value (Completion) - 0.75% of Approximate Value of the Estate (£)

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