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, when doing it yourself makes sense, and how inheritance tax fits into the picture. It covers England and Wales only. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the application itself, 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 (full administration) | £2,000–£10,000+ | If you use a solicitor for the whole process |
| Solicitor fees (grant only) | £950–£1,500 | If a solicitor just obtains the grant |
| IHT (if applicable) | 40% above £325,000 | On the portion of the estate above the threshold |
| Property or asset valuations | £150–£500+ | For complex estates or where HMRC queries arise |
Court fees verified against gov.uk — Applying for probate: fees, March 2026. Solicitor fee ranges are market estimates — last verified March 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 March 2026. There was a proposal in 2019 to introduce a sliding-scale fee structure based on estate value — this was withdrawn by the government.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). 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. The cost is trivial compared to the time saved.
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).
Solicitor fees for probate
Solicitor fees are where the costs can vary enormously — from a few hundred pounds for a limited service to tens of thousands for a complex estate.
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 for straightforward estates and provide cost certainty. For a simple estate — one property, a handful of accounts, no inheritance tax — a fixed fee of £2,000–£5,000 plus VAT is typical.
Percentage of the estate: Some firms charge a percentage of the gross estate value, typically 1%–4% for solicitors, or 4%–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 being challenged by fixed-fee competitors.
Hourly rate: Work is charged at an hourly rate, typically £150–£400 per hour depending on the firm and seniority of the fee earner. This can be difficult to predict in advance, particularly for complex estates.
What you can expect to pay
| 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 March 2026. Always get at least three written quotes before instructing anyone.
An important point: 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 is real money that goes to beneficiaries if you choose more 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.
When a solicitor 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 genuinely worth considering when:
- Inheritance tax is payable — the IHT400 form is complex, 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 detailed rules and conditions
- 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
Can I do probate myself?
Yes, 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
- Any valuation fees or other out-of-pocket expenses
That’s it. 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 a 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) for questions during the process.
When to get professional help
- Disputed will or challenge under the Inheritance Act
- Multiple properties, especially with complex ownership structures
- Overseas assets requiring foreign grants
- Inheritance tax payable and IHT400 required
- Insolvent estate
For a full breakdown of the application steps, see our step-by-step guide to applying for probate.
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 to up to £500,000 total (gov.uk — Inheritance Tax).
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 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 (available from gov.uk) to each participating bank alongside form IHT400. You need a separate IHT423 for each account you’re drawing from.
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 (gov.uk — Inheritance Tax).
Other costs to budget for
Beyond the court fee and any solicitor fees, several other costs commonly arise during estate administration:
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–£400) may be needed if the estate is complex or HMRC is likely to query the figure (gov.uk — Valuing the estate).
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.
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.
Creditors’ notice: Placing a section 27 notice in The Gazette costs around £120 (as at March 2026 — see The Gazette’s wills and probate page for current pricing). This is a protective step for executors, not a legal requirement, but it is strongly recommended for most estates. It starts a two-month window after which the executor is protected from unknown creditor claims.
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.
All of these costs are paid from the estate before it is distributed to beneficiaries.
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. Comparing three is the minimum.
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.
Avoid percentage-based fees where possible. A 2% fee on a £400,000 estate is £8,000. A fixed fee for the same estate might be £3,500. Ask any solicitor you’re considering whether they offer fixed-fee options.
Check whether assets can pass outside probate. Jointly held assets (bank accounts, property held as joint tenants), pensions with nominated beneficiaries, and life insurance written in trust all pass outside the estate without needing a grant. See our guide to do I need probate? for a full breakdown of what requires probate and what doesn’t.
Check whether the estate is under £5,000. If total sole-name assets across all institutions are £5,000 or less, there is no court fee and banks may release funds without a grant at all.
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 sending to multiple institutions simultaneously is worth far more.
Common questions
Who pays probate fees?
The court application fee and all costs of estate administration are paid from the estate’s funds — not personally by the executor. The executor acts as the estate’s administrator and is authorised to pay proper expenses from estate assets. Beneficiaries receive what remains after all fees and debts have been settled (gov.uk — Probate: dealing with the estate).
Are probate fees tax deductible?
Reasonable costs of estate administration — including the court application fee and professional fees for obtaining the grant — are deductible from the estate for inheritance tax purposes. They reduce the net value on which IHT is calculated. This includes solicitor fees, valuation costs, and executor expenses. Costs incurred after the grant is issued (such as estate agent fees for selling property) are treated differently — check with your solicitor or HMRC if the estate is large enough for IHT to apply (gov.uk — IHT deductions).
How long does the probate process take?
Processing times vary significantly. Online applications for straightforward estates are typically processed within 4–8 weeks; HMCTS quotes 16 weeks as the maximum. Estate administration after the grant takes longer — 6–18 months for most estates. For a full breakdown of the timeline at each stage, see our guide to how long probate takes.
Can probate fees be paid in advance from the estate?
The court fee must be paid when you submit the application, before the grant is issued. This means you may need to use personal funds temporarily and reclaim from the estate once you receive the grant — or, if the estate holds accessible accounts, some banks may release a limited amount to cover probate application fees without requiring the grant first. Ask the deceased’s main bank what they can do before the grant.
Is there VAT on probate solicitor fees?
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 (out-of-pocket costs the solicitor will pass on, such as the court fee).
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. Disputes between family members are more common in intestacy cases, which can increase the risk of costly contested proceedings.
Sources
- gov.uk — Applying for probate: fees — court application fee, additional copies fee (last verified March 2026)
- gov.uk — Applying for probate — application process, DIY option, processing times (last verified March 2026)
- gov.uk — Inheritance Tax — rate, thresholds, residence nil-rate band (last verified March 2026)
- gov.uk — Direct Payment Scheme (IHT423) — paying IHT from deceased’s bank accounts before probate (last verified March 2026)
- gov.uk — Valuing the estate of someone who died — valuation requirements and RICS surveyor guidance (last verified March 2026)
- gov.uk — Get help with court fees — fee remission for low-income applicants (last verified March 2026)
- gov.uk — Probate: dealing with the estate — estate administration after the grant (last verified March 2026)
- gov.uk — HM Land Registry fees — property transfer fees (last verified March 2026)
- The Gazette — Wills and probate notices — section 27 creditors’ notice pricing (last verified March 2026)