How Much Does Probate Cost in the UK?

When someone dies and leaves assets behind, probate is the legal process that gives you the authority to deal with their estate. Whether that means selling a property, closing bank accounts or distributing savings, you cannot usually do any of it without a grant of probate or letters of administration. And that process comes with costs that many families are caught off guard by.

This guide breaks down every charge you are likely to face in 2026, from the court application fee to solicitor percentages, valuation costs and the hidden extras that often surface mid-process. We cover both the DIY route and the fully managed solicitor route so you can decide which makes sense for your situation.

What Is Probate and When Do You Need It?

Probate (called confirmation in Scotland and grant of administration in Northern Ireland) is the court-granted legal authority to administer a deceased person's estate. Banks, mortgage lenders, HMRC and the Land Registry all typically require sight of the grant before they will release assets or update titles.

You do not always need probate. If the estate is small (most banks have their own thresholds, often between £5,000 and £50,000), or if assets were held jointly and pass automatically to the surviving owner, you may be able to sidestep the process entirely. A quick call to each institution the deceased held accounts with will confirm whether probate is needed.

• Sole-ownership property: Almost always requires probate before the Land Registry will transfer title.
• Large bank or investment accounts: Most providers require the grant once balances exceed £25,000 to £50,000.
• Shares and ISAs: Registrars and investment platforms usually need the grant regardless of value.
• Joint assets: These typically pass by survivorship and do not require probate.
• Intestacy (no will): Letters of administration are needed instead of a grant of probate, but the fee structure is the same.

The Court Probate Fee (England and Wales)

The Probate Registry fee is the unavoidable baseline cost. As of 2026 it is set as follows for applications made in England and Wales.

You will typically need between five and fifteen official copies of the grant to send to banks, building societies, the Land Registry and other institutions simultaneously. Budget around £15 to £25 for copies on a standard estate.

Scotland uses a separate confirmation process administered by the Sheriff Court. Fees are calculated on a sliding scale based on estate value: estates under £50,000 attract very low fees (often £22 to £264), while larger estates pay a fixed fee capped at £264. Northern Ireland applications are made to the Probate Office in Belfast and follow a broadly similar structure to England and Wales.

DIY Probate: What It Actually Costs

Applying for probate yourself (sometimes called a personal application) is entirely legal and can save significant money on smaller, straightforward estates. The process involves completing PA1P (if there is a will) or PA1A (no will), submitting an inheritance tax return to HMRC, and posting the application to the Probate Registry.

All in, a competent DIY application on a straightforward estate typically costs £400 to £800 in hard cash. The investment is your time: expect to spend 15 to 40 hours across several months dealing with paperwork, chasing institutions and filing accounts.

DIY probate works best when the will is clear and uncontested, the estate contains a small number of straightforward assets, there is no inheritance tax liability or only a simple IHT return is needed, and all beneficiaries agree and are easily contactable.

Solicitor Probate Fees: Fixed, Percentage or Hourly?

Most solicitors offer probate services under one of three pricing models, and it is worth asking upfront which applies before you instruct anyone.

• Percentage of estate: The most common model, typically 1% to 3% of the gross estate value (before debts), plus VAT. On a £400,000 estate that is £4,000 to £12,000 in solicitor fees alone.
• Fixed fee: Some firms quote a set price for a defined scope of work, often £1,500 to £5,000 for a straightforward estate with a property. Sensible if the estate is uncomplicated.
• Hourly rate: Solicitors charge £150 to £350 per hour depending on the firm's location and the seniority of the fee earner. Specialist London firms can charge £350 to £500 per hour.

VAT at 20% is charged on solicitor fees and must be budgeted for separately. A £3,000 solicitor fee becomes £3,600 once VAT is added.

Inheritance Tax: The Biggest Cost Attached to Probate

Inheritance tax (IHT) is not a probate fee as such, but you cannot obtain the grant until HMRC has been notified and any IHT due has been arranged. It can dwarf every other cost combined, so it belongs in any honest probate cost guide.

The standard IHT threshold (nil-rate band) is £325,000 per person. The residential nil-rate band adds up to £175,000 where a main residence passes to direct descendants, giving a potential combined threshold of £500,000 for a single person and up to £1 million for a married couple using transferred allowances. Estates above these thresholds pay 40% on the excess.

• Example estate of £600,000 (single person, residential property): Taxable amount is £100,000 (£600,000 minus £500,000 threshold). IHT due: £40,000.
• Example estate of £900,000 (no residential relief claimed): Taxable amount £575,000. IHT due: £230,000.
• Charitable giving: Leaving 10% or more to charity reduces the IHT rate to 36% on the remainder.

IHT must generally be paid before probate is granted, which can create a cash flow problem. HMRC allows payment in instalments on certain assets, including property, over ten years. Banks sometimes release funds directly to HMRC before the grant is issued under a scheme called a direct payment.

Valuation Costs Within Probate

Before you can submit the IHT return, every asset in the estate must be valued at the date of death. Some valuations are free (banks provide balances in writing at no charge) but others cost money.

• Residential property: An RICS-qualified valuer will charge £150 to £400 for a probate valuation on a standard property. HMRC can challenge online estimates, so a formal report is strongly advisable.
• Commercial property: £500 to £2,000 or more depending on complexity.
• Antiques, jewellery and art: Auction house valuations are sometimes free if items may be sold; specialist valuers charge £75 to £300 per hour.
• Business interests: An accountant's business valuation typically costs £750 to £3,000 depending on the business size.
• Pensions: Most pension providers supply a death benefit value in writing at no charge.

Hidden and Unexpected Probate Costs

Several costs catch families off guard during the process. Being aware of them in advance prevents nasty surprises later.

• Trustee Act notices: Publishing a statutory notice in the London Gazette (and optionally a local newspaper) protects executors from future creditor claims. Cost: £200 to £350 total.
• Missing beneficiary searches: If a beneficiary cannot be located, a genealogist or tracing agency charges £200 to £1,500 depending on how complex the search is.
• Indemnity insurance: Where a will cannot be found or there is a title defect, insurers charge £150 to £500 for a one-off policy.
• Accountant fees for estate tax returns: If the deceased had rental income or self-employment, a final self-assessment tax return is needed. An accountant typically charges £300 to £800 for this.
• Property maintenance during probate: Executors are responsible for insuring and maintaining property while the estate is being administered. Probate property insurance costs roughly £150 to £400 per year.
• Storage and clearance: House clearance for a standard three-bedroom property costs £400 to £900.

How to Keep Probate Costs Down

There are genuine ways to reduce the overall bill without cutting corners or creating problems for beneficiaries.

• Apply personally where the estate is simple: The Probate Registry's guidance is clearer than it used to be and the online application portal works reasonably well for straightforward cases.
• Get three quotes from solicitors: Fees vary enormously. A local firm may charge half what a city centre practice does for identical work.
• Ask for a fixed fee rather than a percentage: On anything above a £200,000 estate, a fixed fee almost always works out cheaper than a percentage model.
• Separate the IHT advice from the probate work: Some tax advisers specialise in IHT planning and may secure reliefs (business property relief, agricultural property relief) that save far more than their fee.
• Use a will written with clarity: Ambiguous wills generate disputes and extra solicitor time. If you are planning your own estate, a well-drafted will (£150 to £400 from a solicitor) can save your executors thousands.