Probate Cost Breakdown
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HMCTS probate court fee | £526 | Estates over £5,000. Free for estates under £5,000. |
| Certified copies of Grant | £2 each | Need 4–6 typically (one per institution) |
| Bankruptcy search (per beneficiary) | £2 | Recommended before distributing |
| Section 27 Trustee Act notice | £150–£300 | Protects executors from unknown creditors |
| Solicitor professional fee | 1–4% of gross estate | £5,000–£20,000 on a £500k estate |
📈 Try our interactive probate cost calculator — enter your estate value and see exactly what you could save.
The Percentage Problem With Solicitors
Most high street solicitors charge between 1% and 4% of the gross estate value for probate administration. On a typical estate worth £400,000, that is £4,000 to £16,000 in professional fees alone — before the court fee and disbursements.
There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor and no regulation that justifies percentage-based fees for straightforward probate work.
💡 Example saving: On a £350,000 estate, a solicitor charging 2% takes £7,000.
Can I Do Probate Myself?
Yes — DIY probate costs only the £526 court fee. The application is made directly via gov.uk. However, HMRC IHT forms are complex, errors attract penalties, and mistakes can cause months of delay. For straightforward estates, ClearLegacy’s fixed fee provides structured document support at a fraction of solicitor costs — you remain the applicant.
What Affects Probate Complexity?
- Property — especially if being sold, with a mortgage, or disputed
- IHT liability — complex HMRC submissions required
- Many assets or institutions to deal with
- Business interests, overseas assets, or pension death benefits
- Beneficiary disputes
Sources & references
- GOV.UK — Applying for probate
- GOV.UK — Wills, probate and inheritance
- Citizens Advice — Dealing with the financial affairs of someone who has died
Authoritative UK government, HMRC, statute and Citizens Advice sources. Last reviewed: 31 May 2026.
Make sure your own affairs are in order
ClearLegacy writes Wills only; we do not handle probate. A clear, valid Will is the single thing that makes probate simpler for the people you leave behind.
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