How much does probate cost in the UK?
The only unavoidable cost is the probate application fee of £526 (for estates worth more than £5,000; smaller estates pay nothing). Extra official copies of the grant are £2 each when ordered with the application (£16 afterwards). Beyond that, costs are optional: a solicitor or probate specialist may charge a fixed fee or a percentage of the estate, but you can apply yourself and pay only the court fee.
What makes up the cost of probate
People often assume probate is expensive. In England and Wales the compulsory cost is small: a single court fee. Everything else depends on whether you do it yourself or pay someone to help.
1. The court application fee
The probate registry charges £526 to issue a grant of probate (or letters of administration) for any estate valued above £5,000. Estates of £5,000 or less pay no fee at all. You can also order extra sealed copies of the grant for £2 each when you order them with the application (£16 each afterwards) — useful because banks and registrars often each want to see one.
2. Professional fees (optional)
If you instruct a solicitor or probate specialist, you are paying for their time, not a government charge. Common models are a fixed fee (often a few hundred to a couple of thousand pounds for a straightforward estate), an hourly rate, or a percentage of the estate's value (typically 1–5%). A percentage fee on a large estate can run to many thousands of pounds, which is why comparing quotes matters.
3. Disbursements and incidentals
Smaller costs can include property valuations, share valuations, bankruptcy searches, statutory advertisements for creditors, and postage. These are usually modest but should be expected.
4. Inheritance tax is separate
Inheritance tax is not a probate fee — it is a tax on the estate, charged at 40% above the available nil-rate bands. Many estates pay no inheritance tax at all because of the £325,000 nil-rate band and the £175,000 residence nil-rate band.
Margaret's estate is worth £280,000, with a house, two bank accounts and some shares. Her son applies for probate himself. He pays the £526 court fee and orders four extra copies of the grant with his application at £2 each (£8) to send to the bank, the share registrar and the Land Registry. His total outlay is £590. Had he used a solicitor charging 2% of the estate, that would have added roughly £5,600 plus VAT.
- Complete the questionnaireA few guided questions about you, your family and your wishes.
- Structured reviewYour answers are checked automatically for completeness and consistency before your Will is produced.
- Receive your documentsYour will and supporting paperwork are produced, ready to print.
- Sign correctlyClear instructions on signing and witnessing so the Will is legally valid.
- Protect your familyYour wishes are recorded and your loved ones are spared the intestacy default.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Applying for probate (application fee £526; estates over £5,000)
- GOV.UK — Probate fees and additional copies (£2 per copy with the application, £16 later)
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service — probate timeliness statistics, 2025
- GOV.UK — Valuing the estate of someone who's died
- Reviewed by
- ClearLegacy editorial team
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Next review
- December 2026
- Jurisdiction
- England & Wales
Frequently asked questions
How much does probate cost in the UK?
The only unavoidable cost is the £526 court application fee for estates over £5,000 (nothing below that), plus £2 for each extra copy of the grant ordered with the application (£16 afterwards). Solicitor fees are optional and extra.
Is the £526 probate fee charged per person or per estate?
It is a single fee per estate, charged once when you apply for the grant — not per beneficiary or per asset.
Can probate fees be paid from the estate?
Yes. The fee is normally paid from the estate's funds and reimbursed to whoever pays it up front.
See your estate's risks in 3 minutes.
The free ClearLegacy Estate Risk Assessment flags the gaps that cause disputes, delays and tax.
Check my estate risk