Probate Cost Breakdown
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HMCTS probate court fee | £273 | Estates over £5,000. Free for estates under £5,000. |
| Certified copies of Grant | £1.50 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 |
| Clear Legacy professional fee | From £195 | Fixed fee — no percentage of estate |
| 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. Clear Legacy charges a fixed fee from £195 — the same qualified professionals, far lower cost.
💡 Example saving: On a £350,000 estate, a solicitor charging 2% takes £7,000. Clear Legacy charges £195 fixed fee — a saving of £6,805.
Can I Do Probate Myself?
Yes — DIY probate costs only the £273 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, Clear Legacy’s fixed fee provides professional oversight at a fraction of solicitor costs.
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
Fixed Fee Probate from £195
No percentage. No hourly billing. No surprises. Expert case managers handle everything.
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