When you’re dealing with someone’s estate, it helps to know what probate is likely to cost before you start. The answer depends mainly on two things: whether you use a solicitor, and how complex the estate is. For straightforward estates, the only unavoidable cost is the £300 court application fee. For complex ones, professional fees can run to tens of thousands of pounds.
This guide covers everything you need to budget for: the fixed court fee, what solicitors typically charge and why the range is so wide, hidden costs that catch families off guard, when doing it yourself makes sense, and how inheritance tax fits into the picture. It covers England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have different processes, with brief notes at the end. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the application, see our guide to how to apply for probate.
At a glance: what probate costs
| Cost | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Court application fee | £300 | Estates worth more than £5,000 |
| Court application fee | Free | Estates worth £5,000 or less |
| Additional copies of the grant | £16 each | Ordered at application; you’ll need several |
| Solicitor fees (grant only) | £950–£1,500 + VAT | If a solicitor just obtains the grant |
| Solicitor fees (full administration) | £2,000–£10,000+ + VAT | If you use a solicitor for the whole process |
| Property valuation (RICS) | £150–£500 | Where HMRC may query estate valuation |
| Statutory creditors’ notice (The Gazette) | ~£120 | Recommended for most estates |
| IHT (if applicable) | 40% above £325,000 | On the portion of the estate above the threshold |
| Land Registry fees | Variable | If property is being transferred (not sold) |
Court fees verified against gov.uk – Applying for probate: fees, June 2026. Solicitor fee ranges are market estimates based on published firm schedules, last verified June 2026.
The probate court fee
The probate application fee is set by the government and applies whenever you apply for a grant of probate or letters of administration through His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
For estates worth more than £5,000: the fee is £300, regardless of the estate’s total value. A £200,000 estate and a £2,000,000 estate pay the same flat fee.
For estates worth £5,000 or less: there is no fee.
These figures are confirmed on the gov.uk probate fees page, last verified June 2026. A proposal in 2019 to introduce a sliding-scale fee structure based on estate value was withdrawn by the government. The flat fee structure has remained in place since.
Additional copies of the grant
When you receive your grant of probate, you’ll need to send certified copies to every bank, building society, pension provider, and other organisation you need to contact. Each one will typically want to see a copy before releasing assets.
Extra copies cost £16 each (gov.uk – Applying for probate: fees). Order enough upfront – at least five to eight for most estates. Having multiple copies means you can write to all institutions simultaneously rather than waiting for one to return a copy before sending it to the next.
Second applications: If probate has already been granted and you need to make a further application (for example, where an executor previously held power reserved and now wants to act), the fee for a second application is £21 (gov.uk – Applying for probate: fees).
Who pays the court fee, and when
The executor pays the fee when submitting the application – either online through the HMCTS probate service or by post using form PA1P (if there is a will) or PA1A (if there is no will). The fee is paid from the estate’s funds, not personally by the executor.
If you’re on a low income or receiving means-tested benefits, you may qualify for fee remission through the Help with Fees scheme (form EX160). Note that fee remission does not apply to the cost of additional copies – only to the application fee itself.
Solicitor fees for probate
Solicitor fees are where costs can vary enormously – from under £1,000 for a limited service to tens of thousands for a complex estate. Unlike the court fee, solicitor fees are not regulated. Two firms can charge very different amounts for identical work.
How solicitors charge
There are three main fee structures used by probate solicitors in England and Wales:
Fixed fee: A set amount agreed upfront, regardless of how long the work takes. Fixed fees are increasingly common and provide cost certainty. For a simple estate – one property, a handful of accounts, no inheritance tax – a typical fixed fee for full administration is £2,000–£5,000 plus VAT.
Percentage of the estate: Some firms charge a percentage of the gross estate value, typically 1%–4% for solicitors, or up to 5% for banks acting as professional executors. On a £500,000 estate, a 2% fee equals £10,000. There is no legal requirement for fees to be percentage-based, and this structure is increasingly challenged by fixed-fee competitors. The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires solicitors to be transparent about how they charge.
Hourly rate: Work is charged at an hourly rate, typically £150–£450 per hour depending on the firm and the seniority of the fee earner. For a moderately complex estate, expect 15–30 hours of work. This can be difficult to predict in advance.
Solicitor fee comparison
| Fee model | Typical range | Example: £200k estate | Example: £500k estate | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed fee (grant only) | £950–£1,500 + VAT | £950–£1,500 | £950–£1,500 | Cost certainty; cheap for large estates | You do the administration yourself |
| Fixed fee (full administration) | £2,000–£10,000+ + VAT | £2,000–£4,000 | £4,000–£8,000 | Predictable; competitive firms undercut % fees | Quality varies; get three quotes |
| Percentage of estate | 1%–4% + VAT | £2,000–£8,000 | £5,000–£20,000 | Simple to understand | Very expensive for larger estates |
| Hourly rate | £150–£450/hr + VAT | £1,500–£9,000 | £3,000–£15,000+ | Only pay for work done | Unpredictable; hard to budget |
Fee ranges are market estimates based on published solicitor fee schedules, last verified June 2026. Figures exclude VAT at 20%.
What you can expect to pay by estate type
| Estate type | Description | Typical solicitor fees (full administration) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple estate | No property to sell, no IHT, clear will, few accounts | £2,000–£4,000 + VAT |
| Moderate estate | One property to sell, no IHT, a few financial accounts | £4,000–£8,000 + VAT |
| Complex estate | Multiple properties, IHT payable, business interests, or disputes | £8,000–£20,000+ + VAT |
| Grant only | Solicitor obtains the grant; you administer the estate yourself | £950–£1,500 + VAT |
Fee ranges are market estimates based on published solicitor fee schedules, last verified June 2026. Always get at least three written quotes before instructing anyone.
Probate fees are not regulated
Unlike conveyancing or legal aid work, solicitor fees for probate administration are not regulated by a fixed scale. Firms can – and do – charge very different amounts for similar work. A 2% fee on a £600,000 estate is £12,000 plus VAT. A competitor offering a fixed fee for the same estate might charge £4,500. The difference goes directly to beneficiaries if you choose carefully.
Always request a written fee estimate or fixed-fee quote before instructing a solicitor. Get at least three quotes. Online-first probate services (such as Farewill and Beyond) often offer lower fixed fees than traditional high-street firms for straightforward estates.
Getting quotes: what to ask
When requesting quotes from probate solicitors, ask:
- Do you offer a fixed fee, or will you charge a percentage or by the hour?
- Does the quote include VAT and all disbursements (the court fee, valuation costs)?
- What is not included – is there anything that would increase the fee?
- Who will handle the work – a senior solicitor or a junior fee earner?
- Are there any red flags in this estate that might make it more complex?
A solicitor who gives you a clear, itemised written quote is generally more trustworthy than one who is vague about costs upfront.
When professional help is worth the cost
For many straightforward estates, you don’t need a solicitor at all – see the DIY probate section below. But professional help is worth considering when:
- Inheritance tax is payable – the IHT400 form is detailed, mistakes are costly, and HMRC can query valuations for years afterward
- The estate includes business or agricultural property – business property relief and agricultural property relief have specific conditions that require expertise to apply correctly
- There are overseas assets – you may need to apply for a separate grant in each country
- The will is contested – any dispute under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 or a challenge to the will’s validity requires legal representation
- Beneficiaries are in dispute – a solicitor acting as neutral administrator can prevent family conflict escalating
- The estate is insolvent – when debts exceed assets, the order of payment is strict and executors can face personal liability if it goes wrong
- There are missing or untraceable beneficiaries – specialist tracing agents charge £200–£1,000 and are best coordinated through a solicitor
DIY probate: doing it yourself
Yes, you can do probate yourself for most straightforward estates. Around 92% of probate applications in England and Wales are now made online through the government’s own service, and many of these are personal applicants rather than solicitors. The government explicitly states that you can “apply for probate yourself online or by post” and that this “can be cheaper than paying a probate practitioner” (gov.uk – Applying for probate).
If you do probate yourself, your costs are:
- The £300 court fee (or free if the estate is under £5,000)
- £16 per copy of the grant (order five to eight)
- Any valuation fees or other out-of-pocket expenses
No solicitor fees, no VAT, no percentage of the estate.
When DIY probate works well
- The deceased left a clear, uncontested will
- The estate is straightforward – bank accounts, savings, perhaps one property
- No inheritance tax is payable (the estate is below the threshold, or everything passes to a spouse or qualifying charity)
- All assets are in England and Wales
- There are no disputes among beneficiaries
The government’s online probate application service guides you through each step. HMCTS also operates a helpline at 0300 303 0648 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm).
When to get professional help
DIY probate is not the right choice for everyone. Consider a solicitor when:
- IHT400 needs to be submitted (this is required for taxable estates and is a complex multi-form document)
- Multiple properties, especially with complex ownership structures
- Overseas assets requiring foreign grants
- Disputed will or beneficiary conflict
- The estate is insolvent
For a full breakdown of the application steps, see our step-by-step guide to applying for probate.
Hidden costs: what often gets missed
Beyond the court fee and solicitor fees, several other costs commonly arise during estate administration. Many families are surprised by these because they don’t appear in basic guides.
Property valuation: If the estate includes property, you’ll need a realistic market valuation at the date of death. An estate agent’s written estimate is usually acceptable for straightforward probate purposes. A formal RICS surveyor’s valuation (typically £150–£500) may be needed if the estate is complex or HMRC is likely to query the figure (gov.uk – Valuing the estate).
Contents and chattels valuation: Personal possessions – jewellery, antiques, art, collections – must be valued for the IHT return if the estate is large enough to be taxable. A specialist valuer or auction house can provide a written valuation; costs vary but expect £100–£300 for a basic report on household contents.
Accountant fees: If the deceased ran a business, or if there are complex capital gains tax or income tax matters to resolve, an accountant may be needed for the final tax return and estate accounts. Costs vary widely depending on complexity, but a final income tax return for a straightforward estate can cost £200–£600.
IHT specialist fees: For large or complex estates where IHT is payable, a tax specialist or accountant to prepare the IHT400 and supporting schedules can charge £500–£2,000. This is money well spent when an error could trigger an HMRC enquiry or penalty.
Statutory creditors’ notice: Placing a section 27 notice in The Gazette costs around £120 (last verified June 2026 – see The Gazette’s wills and probate page for current pricing). This is a protective step for executors: it advertises the death and starts a two-month window after which the executor is protected from claims by unknown creditors. Not a legal requirement, but strongly recommended for most estates.
Missing beneficiary searches: If a beneficiary cannot be located, specialist tracing agents charge £200–£1,000. Some probate solicitors include this in their service; check before assuming.
Executor expenses: Executors are not paid for their time unless the will specifically provides for it, but they are entitled to recover out-of-pocket expenses from the estate – travel, postage, printing, phone calls. Keep records. For more on the executor’s role and what expenses are recoverable, see our guide to executor duties.
Land Registry fees: If property is being transferred (rather than sold), Land Registry fees apply for updating the title. The fee depends on the property’s value. Current fees are published at gov.uk – Land Registry fee calculator.
Estate agent and conveyancing fees: If property is being sold as part of the estate, normal estate agent fees (typically 1–3% of the sale price) and conveyancing costs (typically £800–£1,500) apply. These come from the estate proceeds rather than the executor’s pocket.
House clearance: Clearing a property before sale or transfer is rarely free. Professional house clearance companies typically charge £200–£800 depending on property size and contents. Some donate items to charity and offset the cost; others charge a flat fee regardless.
All of these costs are paid from the estate before it is distributed to beneficiaries.
Inheritance tax: a separate cost entirely
Inheritance tax is not a probate fee – it is a separate tax on the estate, calculated independently of the court application. But it affects probate because you must either pay it (or begin paying it by instalments) before the grant is issued.
The rate: 40% on the value of the estate above the threshold (gov.uk – Inheritance Tax).
The standard threshold (nil-rate band): £325,000 – the portion of the estate below this figure is not taxed.
The residence nil-rate band: If the deceased’s home is left to direct descendants (children, grandchildren, stepchildren), the threshold can increase by up to £175,000 – giving a total potential threshold of £500,000 per person, or up to £1,000,000 for a married couple (gov.uk – Inheritance Tax). See our guide to the nil-rate band for a full explanation.
Example: An estate worth £600,000, with no residence nil-rate band applicable, would owe IHT of 40% × (£600,000 − £325,000) = £110,000.
The IHT and probate chicken-and-egg problem
This creates a practical difficulty: you need to pay inheritance tax before you can get the grant of probate, but you often need the grant before you can access the estate’s assets to pay the tax.
The main solution is the Direct Payment Scheme. Banks and building societies that participate in the scheme can transfer funds directly from the deceased’s accounts to HMRC before probate is granted. You submit form IHT423 to each participating bank alongside form IHT400 (gov.uk – IHT423).
If the estate doesn’t have enough liquid assets to cover the IHT bill (for example, if most of the value is in property), executors can arrange a short-term loan to cover the tax while the property is sold. Interest on unpaid IHT accrues from six months after the date of death.
IHT and probate costs
The costs of administering the estate – including the court application fee, solicitor fees for obtaining the grant, and professional valuation fees – are deductible from the estate for IHT purposes. They reduce the net value on which IHT is calculated (gov.uk – HMRC Inheritance Tax Manual). This is worth keeping in mind: for a taxable estate, a £3,000 solicitor fee effectively costs the beneficiaries only £1,800 after the tax saving.
For a full breakdown of how IHT works, see our guide to inheritance tax and probate.
When probate isn’t needed
Not every estate requires a grant of probate. Understanding when you can skip it can save significant time and cost.
Small estates: Most banks and building societies will release funds up to their internal threshold without requiring a grant. Thresholds vary by institution – typically £5,000–£50,000 – and you’ll need to contact each one to confirm what they’ll accept. There is no single universal rule.
Jointly held assets: Property held as joint tenants, and joint bank accounts, pass automatically to the surviving owner by the right of survivorship. No grant is needed for these assets.
Assets with named beneficiaries: Life insurance written in trust, and pensions with nominated beneficiaries, fall outside the estate entirely. They pass directly to the named person without probate.
Very small estates: If the total value of all sole-name assets across every institution is under £5,000, the court fee is nil and many institutions will accept a statutory declaration without requiring a grant.
For a full breakdown of what does and doesn’t require probate, see our guide to do I need probate?.
How to reduce probate costs
Consider doing it yourself. For a straightforward estate, the £300 court fee is the only unavoidable cost. DIY probate via the government’s online service is designed for personal applicants and is how most estates in England and Wales are now processed.
Get three written quotes before instructing a solicitor. Probate fees are not regulated – the variation between firms is significant. A quote from one firm tells you nothing about what others charge.
Avoid percentage-based fees where possible. A 2% fee on a £400,000 estate is £8,000 plus VAT. A fixed fee for the same estate from a specialist firm might be £3,500. Ask any solicitor you’re considering whether they offer fixed-fee options.
Use a specialist probate solicitor, not a general high-street firm. Firms that do probate all day tend to be faster and more cost-efficient than general practitioners handling it occasionally. Probate-specialist firms also tend to compete more aggressively on price.
Check whether assets can pass outside probate. Jointly held assets, pensions with nominated beneficiaries, and life insurance written in trust all pass outside the estate without needing a grant. Identifying these early can reduce the estate that needs probating – and can sometimes remove the need for probate altogether.
Order the right number of grant copies upfront. Extra copies at application cost £16 each; applying for additional copies later costs more. Order slightly more than you think you need – the time saved by writing to all institutions simultaneously is worth far more than a few extra copies.
Check fee remission eligibility. If you’re on a low income or receiving means-tested benefits, you may pay nothing for the court application fee via the Help with Fees scheme (form EX160).
Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales
This guide covers England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems with different processes and fee structures.
Scotland: Confirmation
In Scotland, the equivalent of probate is called Confirmation. You apply to the Sheriff Court (not the Probate Registry), and the document issued is a Certificate of Confirmation rather than a grant of probate.
Key differences:
- The court fee in Scotland is £200 for estates over £5,000 (compared to £300 in England and Wales) (The Gazette – Confirmation vs probate)
- Additional copies of the Certificate of Confirmation cost £5 each (compared to £16 in England and Wales)
- Estates under £36,000 can use a simplified small estate process through the Sheriff Clerk’s office, without needing a solicitor
- The executor is called an “executor-nominate” (with a will) or “executor-dative” (without one)
- Scotland has legal rights (known as “Prior Rights” and “Legal Rights”) giving a spouse and children an automatic entitlement to a portion of moveable property, regardless of what the will says
For Scottish estates, consult a Scottish solicitor – the law is materially different and English guides do not apply.
Northern Ireland: Grant of Probate
Northern Ireland has its own Probate Office (part of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service). The process is similar to England and Wales – you apply for a grant of probate or letters of administration – but uses Northern Ireland-specific forms and procedures.
The court fee in Northern Ireland and the application process differ from England and Wales. If you’re dealing with a Northern Ireland estate, contact the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service for current fee information.
Wales
Wales uses the same probate system as England – there is no separate Welsh probate process. The court fee, forms, and procedures are identical to England.
What happens to probate costs if there’s no will?
The process and costs are broadly the same if the deceased died without a will (intestate). You apply for letters of administration rather than a grant of probate, using form PA1A or the online service. The court fee is the same: £300 for estates over £5,000.
The main difference is complexity: without a will, you have no instructions to follow, and the distribution of the estate is governed by the intestacy rules set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925. Family disputes are more common in intestacy cases, which can increase the risk of costly contested proceedings. See our guide to letters of administration for a full breakdown of the process.
Frequently asked questions
Is probate free?
It depends on the estate’s value. If total assets are £5,000 or less, the court application fee is free. Above £5,000, the fee is £300 regardless of estate size. If you do probate yourself, the £300 (plus £16 per copy of the grant) is the only cost. There is no charge for the probate process itself beyond these fees – solicitor fees are optional and only arise if you choose to use one (gov.uk – Applying for probate: fees).
How much do solicitors charge for probate?
This varies widely. For a simple estate where you just want a solicitor to obtain the grant of probate (and you do the rest yourself), expect to pay £950–£1,500 plus VAT. For full estate administration – where the solicitor handles everything from grant application to final distribution – fees typically range from £2,000 to £10,000 plus VAT for moderate estates, and can exceed £20,000 for complex ones. Solicitor fees are not regulated, so always get at least three written quotes before instructing anyone.
Can I do probate myself?
Yes, for most straightforward estates. The government’s online service at gov.uk/applying-for-probate is designed for personal applicants, and the majority of applications are now made this way. If the estate is straightforward – clear will, no IHT, assets in England and Wales only – DIY probate is entirely manageable. Where the estate is complex (IHT payable, contested will, overseas assets), professional help is advisable.
What are the probate court fees in 2026?
The court application fee is £300 for estates worth more than £5,000. There is no fee for estates worth £5,000 or less. Additional certified copies of the grant cost £16 each. A second application (if probate has already been granted and a further application is needed) costs £21. These figures are published on gov.uk – Applying for probate: fees and were last verified June 2026.
Do I have to pay probate fees upfront?
The court fee must be paid when you submit the application – before the grant is issued. If the estate’s funds are tied up in accounts that require the grant to release them, you may need to pay from personal funds temporarily and reclaim from the estate once you have the grant. Some banks will release a limited amount to cover probate expenses before the grant is issued – it’s worth asking the deceased’s main bank what they can do. If using a solicitor, some firms will advance the court fee on your behalf and deduct it from their invoice.
What is included in solicitor probate fees?
This depends on the level of service. “Grant only” fees typically cover: completing the application forms (PA1P or equivalent), preparing the IHT205 or basic IHT return, submitting the application, and sending you the grant. “Full administration” fees typically cover: the above, plus contacting all financial institutions, collecting in assets, paying debts and taxes, preparing estate accounts, and distributing to beneficiaries. Always ask what is included – and what is not – before instructing a solicitor. Disbursements (the court fee, valuation costs, Land Registry fees) are usually charged on top.
Are solicitor probate fees subject to VAT?
Yes. Solicitor fees for probate are subject to VAT at 20%. When comparing quotes, check whether the figure quoted includes or excludes VAT. A quote of “£3,000 plus VAT” is effectively £3,600. Always ask for the total cost inclusive of VAT and all disbursements.
How to get quotes and compare solicitors
Getting multiple quotes is the single most effective way to reduce probate costs when using a solicitor. Here is how to do it efficiently:
- Contact three firms – include at least one online or specialist probate service alongside local firms
- Give them the same information: estimated estate value, number of beneficiaries, whether property is involved, whether IHT is likely, whether there is a valid will
- Ask for a written quote specifying the fee model (fixed, percentage, or hourly), what’s included, VAT treatment, and any disbursements to be added
- Ask how quickly they can start – probate timelines can be long; a slow firm costs you time as well as money
- Check their SRA registration at solicitors.sra.org.uk before instructing
Online probate services such as Farewill and Beyond typically offer competitive fixed fees and are well-suited to straightforward estates. For complex estates with significant IHT or contested elements, a specialist firm with relevant experience is likely worth the premium.
Sources
- gov.uk – Applying for probate: fees – court application fee, additional copies fee, second application fee (last verified June 2026)
- gov.uk – Applying for probate – application process, DIY option, processing times (last verified June 2026)
- gov.uk – Inheritance Tax – rate, thresholds, residence nil-rate band (last verified June 2026)
- gov.uk – Direct Payment Scheme (IHT423) – paying IHT from deceased’s bank accounts before probate (last verified June 2026)
- gov.uk – Valuing the estate of someone who died – valuation requirements and RICS surveyor guidance (last verified June 2026)
- gov.uk – Get help with court fees – fee remission for low-income applicants (last verified June 2026)
- gov.uk – Probate: dealing with the estate – estate administration after the grant (last verified June 2026)
- gov.uk – HM Land Registry fees – property transfer fees (last verified June 2026)
- gov.uk – HMRC Inheritance Tax Manual – deductibility of administration costs for IHT (last verified June 2026)
- The Gazette – Confirmation vs probate – Scotland vs England/Wales differences (last verified June 2026)
- The Gazette – Wills and probate notices – section 27 creditors’ notice pricing (last verified June 2026)
- Solicitors Regulation Authority – Legal costs – transparency requirements for solicitor fee quotes (last verified June 2026)