Kings Court Trust

Kings Court Trust: probate and estate administration as a sole focus

Kings Court Trust presents itself as a specialist whose only activity is probate and estate administration. The firm states it has helped more than 40,000 families through probate and frames its work as taking on the tax and technical burden of an estate so that families can focus on remembering the person who died. Its services are offered under fixed fees rather than hourly rates, and each client is assigned a Personal Estate Manager who provides regular updates.

Three levels of probate support

The catalogue of services starts from £1,395, excluding VAT and disbursements, and is organised around three products intended for different levels of estate complexity:

• Grant of Probate: aimed at simple or lower-value estates; the firm helps with the paperwork and submits the Grant of Probate application to the Probate Registry.
• Enhanced Grant of Probate: intended for estates that may include only one property and fewer than three financial accounts.
• Full Estate Administration: designed for estates with multiple properties or accounts; the firm handles the full process, including collection and distribution of funds, and assumes legal and financial responsibility.

In the full estate administration option, the firm indicates that nothing is paid upfront, as its fees are taken from the estate once funds have been collected.

Regulation and professional standards

Kings Court Trust states that it is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and that it works to a strict code of conduct covering all probate activities. It presents this oversight as a guarantee of professionalism, accuracy and accountability in the decisions taken on behalf of clients.

Awards and client feedback

The firm reports having been named Probate Provider of the Year at the British Wills and Probate Awards in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024. It also states that clients rate it as "Excellent" and highlights praise for its friendly approach, clear communication and attention to detail, while noting that it aims to exceed expectations.

Guidance on probate, costs and inheritance tax

Beyond direct casework, the firm maintains an informational section addressing common questions from people dealing with an estate. It explains that probate is the legal process that allows an estate to be administered and distributed, that a Will is validated in the process, and that probate is typically needed when the deceased held assets such as property, bank accounts or investments, particularly where these were worth £5,000 or more, although this can vary by institution.

On timing, the firm indicates that most estates complete probate within six to twelve months, depending on complexity and whether a property must be sold, and that estates with many assets can take longer, especially where paperwork is complex or third parties such as HMRC, banks or other financial institutions cause delays. On costs, it cites the Probate Registry court fee of £526 for estates worth over £5,000, plus £2 per copy of the Grant at the time of application and £16 for additional copies requested later. On Inheritance Tax, it notes a threshold of £325,000, with additional allowances in some cases, and a rate of 40% for estates above it, usually payable within six months of death to avoid interest; the firm states it can handle the necessary Inheritance Tax paperwork. It also explains that when someone dies without a Will, the case is intestate and Letters of Administration are required instead of probate, with assets shared under UK intestacy rules.

Work with professional partners

Kings Court Trust maintains a partner programme aimed at Independent Financial Advisers, Will Writers, Funeral Directors, banks, charities and bereavement support organisations. According to the firm, these professionals refer clients for its probate expertise, transparent fixed fees and empathetic handling, and it invites interested professionals to become referring partners.