Conveyancing Connected to Estates
A property transfer is the legal process of transferring ownership or an interest in real property from one person or entity to another. This can involve the sale, gift, or settlement of property into a trust, as well as transfers between joint owners. The process is formalised through legal documentation and usually requires registration with the Land Registry.
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Uses of Property Transfers
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Estate and succession planning – to manage inheritance and succession efficiently.
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Asset protection – safeguarding property from potential claims, creditors, or disputes.
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Tax planning – managing inheritance tax, capital gains tax, or other fiscal implications.
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Relationship and family planning – sharing or redistributing property among family members.
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Trust and charitable arrangements – transferring property to a trust or charitable entity for specific purposes.
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Benefits of Property Transfers
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Legal certainty – formal documentation ensures ownership rights are clear and enforceable.
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Control over property – enables precise allocation, sharing, or protection of assets.
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Flexibility – can accommodate changing family, business, or financial circumstances.
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Tax efficiency – structured transfers can reduce tax liabilities where applicable.
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Continuity and protection – transferring into trusts or shared arrangements can provide continuity if the original owner becomes incapacitated or passes away.
Property transfers are a powerful tool for planning, protecting, and managing property assets, providing both legal certainty and strategic flexibility for individuals, families, and businesses.
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If you require a type of transfer not listed, do not hesitate to get in touch with us, and we will confirm whether it falls within the scope of services we can provide.
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We are unable to work on property sales and purchases; however, we have a list of trusted conveyancing partners that we are happy to introduce you to.​
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Most of our services are provided on a fixed-fee basis to keep prices as simple as possible. For non-fixed-fee work, we charge based on the time spent on your matter in accordance with our hourly rates applicable at the time. Depending on the service you select, your case will be managed by our solicitors, case managers, and paralegals and supported by our administrators. Each case is allocated to the most appropriate team member, all of whom have many years of experience. From the outset, it will be made clear who your primary contact will be.
All appointments can be sat via telephone or virtually to suit you. We offer services in multiple languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu. If you have hearing loss or a speech impediment, we are happy to take instructions via Relay UK. We welcome all customers and will do our best to accommodate any additional needs you may have.
Stated time frames are based on our receiving full, clear and substantiated instructions. Delays may occur if we need to clarify or review the information we have been given.
Our Services and Fees
Standalone Severance of Joint Tenancy £125 (£104.17 + £20.83 VAT)
We will complete and send the relevant forms to the Land Registry within 10 working days. This includes confirming joint tenancy on title, choosing the method of severance, preparing the notice of severance, serving the notice on co-owner(s) (if applicable), registering the severance on title, addressing mortgage and related issues, and obtaining updated title confirmation. The Land Registry is currently experiencing processing times of approximately 6–9 months for applications. While these timelines are beyond our control, we monitor progress periodically and will keep you informed of any significant updates.
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Example Fees
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Legal Fees £125 (£104.17 + £20.83 VAT)
TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £125 (£104.17 + £20.83 VAT)
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Transfers from Estates (Personal Representatives to Beneficiary/Beneficiaries) (Plus Disbursements) £720 (£600 + £120 VAT)
A transfer from an estate is the process by which a Personal Representative (Executor or Administrator) passes assets such as property from a Deceased Estate to the entitled Beneficiaries. These Transfers apply to the Estate as a whole, including multiple assets and Beneficiaries.
Benefits
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Ensures the transfer is legal and binding.
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Provides clarity and security for both the personal representative and the beneficiaries.
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Helps to complete the estate administration efficiently.
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Protects against future disputes or challenges over the Estate.
Transfers from estates ensure that assets are passed correctly and safely, giving beneficiaries confidence in receiving their inheritance. The Key Stages
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We will confirm authority under the Grant of Probate/Administration and prepare and draft the Trust deed, Liaise with Executors and Beneficiaries - 10 working days
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Register with HM Land Registry. The Land Registry is currently experiencing processing times of approximately 6–9 months for applications. While these timelines are beyond our control, we monitor progress periodically and will keep you informed of any significant updates
Once the Land Registry has confirmed the transfer, you will need to update your insurance and records.
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Example Fees
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Legal Fees £720 (£600 + £120 VAT)
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There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:
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HM Land Registry fee (based on an example property value of £250,000) £150
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Electronic ID for 1 Executor and 1 Beneficiary 2 x £15 = £30
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Land Registry office copies £7
TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £907 (£787 + £120 VAT)
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Assents From Estates (Plus Disbursements) £960 (£800 + £160 VAT)
Transfers (also known as Assents) of specific assets in a Deceased Estate. An Assent being a legal document used to formally transfer assets from a Deceased Estate to the Beneficiaries named in the Will or entitled under the law. It is often needed for assets such as bank accounts, shares, as well as property.
Benefits
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Provides legal certainty that the asset is transferred correctly.
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Ensures the transfer is compliant with the Will and legal requirements.
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Allows Beneficiaries to access and manage their inheritance efficiently.
Assents help make the estate administration process smooth and secure, giving Beneficiaries confidence that they are receiving their rightful inheritance correctly.
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The Key Stages
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We will check the property details, review ownership and any mortgages, prepare and draft the Trust deed, prepare transfer documents - 10 working days
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Obtain lender consent (if the property is mortgaged) - 2-4 weeks
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Sign transfer documents – 1-3 working days
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Register with HM Land Registry. The Land Registry is currently experiencing processing times of approximately 6–9 months for applications. While these timelines are beyond our control, we monitor progress periodically and will keep you informed of any significant updates
Once the Land Registry has confirmed the transfer, you will need to update your insurance and records.
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Example Fees
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Legal Fees £960 (£800 + £160 VAT)
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There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:
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HM Land Registry fee (based on an example property value of £250,000) £150
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Electronic ID search for each Beneficiary and Trustee, average 4 x £15 = £60
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Land Registry office copies £7
TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £1,177 (£1,017 + £160 VAT)
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Transfers compared to Assents from Estates
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An Assent is a formal document that transfers a specific asset (such as a bank account, property, or shares) from the Estate to a Beneficiary.
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A Transfer from an estate refers to the overall process of distributing all the Estate’s assets to the Beneficiaries named in the Will or entitled under the law.
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Lifetime Trust Property Transfers (Plus Disbursements) £960 (£800 + £160 VAT)
Transferring property into a Trust involves legally moving ownership of a property from an individual (the Settlor) to a Trust, which is managed by appointed Trustees for the benefit of designated Beneficiaries. The process is formalised through a Trust Deed and registered with the Land Registry to reflect the change in legal ownership. Once in the Trust, the property is held in accordance with the rules set out in the Trust Deed, rather than being owned personally by an individual.
Benefits
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Control over distribution – Trustees manage the property according to the Settlor’s instructions, ensuring Beneficiaries receive it as intended.
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Asset protection – The property is legally separate from the personal ownership of Beneficiaries, protecting it from personal creditors or financial issues.
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Estate and succession planning – Helps manage how property passes to future generations and can reduce complications after death.
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Tax planning opportunities – Trust structures can assist with inheritance tax and other financial planning, where appropriate.
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Continuity and management – Trustees can manage the property if the Settlor becomes incapacitated or is unable to oversee it themselves.
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Flexibility – Conditions and restrictions can be included in the Trust Deed to suit the family or financial situation.
Transferring property into a Trust is a key planning tool for protecting assets, controlling future use, and ensuring the Settlor’s intentions are carried out effectively.
The Key Stages
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We will check the property details, review ownership and any mortgages, prepare the Trust Deed, liaise with Trustees (if required), and prepare transfer documents - 10 working days
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Obtain lender consent (if the property is mortgaged) - 2-4 weeks
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Arranging signatures and completion formalities – 1-3 working days
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Register with HM Land Registry. The Land Registry is currently experiencing processing times of approximately 6–9 months for applications. While these timelines are beyond our control, we monitor progress periodically and will keep you informed of any significant updates.
Once the Land Registry has confirmed the transfer, you will need to update your insurance and records.
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Example Fees
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Legal Fees £960 (£800 + £160 VAT)
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There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:
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HM Land Registry fee (based on an example property value of £250,000) £150
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Electronic ID search for each Beneficiary and Trustee, average 4 x £15 = £60
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Land Registry office copies £7
TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £1,177 (£1,017 + £160 VAT)
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If your application is linked to a property sale, we may be able to request an expedited process from the Land Registry, provided appropriate evidence is supplied. Please notify us if this applies to your situation so that we can advise you on any additional documents or information required to support the request.
The above examples are based on a standard freehold property, with no mortgage and no title restrictions. If the matter is more complex (leasehold, unregistered land, lenders involved, updated Trust documents required, multiple titles), we will either provide a revised estimate before undertaking additional work or advise as to the next steps. Equally, if a property requires a first registration or additional consents, we will notify you accordingly.