How much does probate cost in the UK?
Links marked * are commercial or go to our partner sites, which share our operator. Third-party companies may pay us commission. How we make money.
In short. In England and Wales the probate application fee is £526 if the estate is worth more than £5,000, and nothing for smaller estates. Extra copies of the grant cost £2 each when you apply or £16 later. Solicitors' fees are set by each firm, and solicitors must publish their probate prices.
Probate cost depends on whether you apply yourself or use a solicitor or probate specialist. Applying yourself costs the court fee plus your time; complex estates (businesses, foreign assets, Inheritance Tax) often justify professional help. Scotland uses confirmation, with its own court fees.
Content updated:
Typical breakdown
| Item | Typical range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Probate application fee (England & Wales, estate over £5,000) | £526 | |
| Probate application fee (estate of £5,000 or less) | £0 | |
| Extra copies of the grant | £2 each with the application; £16 each later | |
| Inheritance Tax (IHT) — Nil-Rate Band | £325,000 (frozen to April 2031) | |
| Residence Nil-Rate Band | Up to £175,000 (on home passing to direct descendants) | |
| IHT rate above thresholds | 40% (36% if 10%+ to charity) | |
| Solicitor or probate specialist | Set by the firm | Solicitors must publish probate prices under the SRA Transparency Rules |
What changes the cost
- Estate value and complexity (foreign assets, businesses, multiple properties)
- Whether IHT is payable
- Number of beneficiaries and any disputes
- Whether the will is straightforward
Worth knowing
- Solicitors must publish price information for uncontested probate, so compare firms' published prices before you ask for quotes
- Banks and building societies set their own limits for releasing money without a grant — ask each one what it needs
- Inheritance Tax on land or qualifying business assets can be paid in up to 10 annual instalments under HMRC rules
FAQ
- When isn't probate needed?
- Often when the estate is small, when property and money were owned jointly and pass to the surviving owner, or when each bank agrees to release money without a grant. Each organisation sets its own limit.
- Who pays the probate fee?
- It's paid from the estate, usually by the executor. The executor can be reimbursed if they advance it. Help with Fees (EX160) may reduce the fee on low income.
- Is it cheaper to use a solicitor on a percentage fee?
- It depends on the estate. Ask each firm for a written estimate on the same basis — fixed, hourly or percentage — so you can compare like with like.