The HMCTS probate registry fee
GOV.UK lists the probate application fee in England and Wales as £526 for an estate worth more than £5,000. There is no application fee for an estate worth £5,000 or less. These are government application charges, not probate solicitor fees.
Extra copies of the probate document cost £2 each when ordered with the application. Additional copies ordered afterwards cost £16 each. A second application after probate has already been granted costs £22, including for an estate worth £5,000 or less. Check the linked GOV.UK fee page before applying, as charges can change.
Solicitor and probate specialist fees
There is no single government-set price for a probate solicitor. Professional fees depend on the work agreed, the estate and the firm's charging method. A grant-only application is a different service from full estate administration, which can include collecting assets, paying debts and distributing the estate.
Ask whether the firm offers a fixed fee, hourly rate or estate-value-based charge, and request an itemised written quote. Confirm whether VAT and disbursements are included, which tasks are covered, and what could increase the final bill. Property, business interests, overseas assets and disputes may affect the scope. Probate Find's matching service is free; the solicitor's professional work is not.
DIY probate: the costs of doing it yourself
You can apply for probate yourself if you are entitled to apply. The government application fee is still payable for an estate worth more than £5,000, but you will not pay a solicitor for work you do yourself. Valuations, extra copies and other estate expenses may still be needed.
The right approach depends on the estate and your confidence in dealing with it. Complex assets, inheritance tax, disputes or uncertainty about the will may make professional advice useful. You can ask a solicitor about limited help as well as a full administration service.
Inheritance tax — the biggest cost for larger estates
Inheritance tax is separate from probate solicitor fees and is not due on every estate. GOV.UK states that the normal tax-free threshold is £325,000 and the standard rate is 40% on the taxable amount above the available threshold. Qualifying home transfers to children or grandchildren can increase the threshold to £500,000. Spouse, civil partner and charity exemptions, transferable allowances and other reliefs depend on the circumstances.
Inheritance tax is normally due by the end of the sixth month after the person died. Some assets qualify for instalment payments. Use the linked GOV.UK guidance and seek advice if you are unsure; do not assume the maximum allowance or a particular relief applies to every estate.
Other costs to budget for
Beyond solicitor fees and IHT, executors should budget for several other costs:
- Statutory notices in The Gazette and a local newspaper, where appropriate
- Professional property or asset valuations, where needed
- Accountant fees for business interests or complex investments
- House clearance and storage for physical belongings in the estate
- Property maintenance and insurance during the administration period
- Land Registry fees for transferring or selling property