How Much Does Probate Cost?

Doing probate yourself is cheap. The bill that frightens people is almost always the solicitor's, not the court's. Handled by the executor, a straightforward estate costs little more than the £526 court fee — so before you sign anything, it is worth knowing exactly what each part costs and where the money actually goes.

The court fee (Probate Registry)

The application fee charged by the Probate Registry is straightforward:¹

• Estates worth £5,000 or less: No court fee
• All other estates: £526

The fee is the same whether the estate is worth £6,000 or £6 million — it is a flat charge, not a percentage.¹ You will also want extra sealed copies of the grant, because most banks, investment platforms and HM Land Registry each ask for an original. Here is the bit that trips people up: copies cost £2 each when you order them with the application, but £16 each if you ask for them afterwards.¹ Order five to ten upfront — it is the single easiest way to keep costs and delays down. Always confirm the current fees on GOV.UK before you apply.¹

Estimated out-of-pocket cost, DIY probate on a £400,000 estate

Probate Registry application fee1	£526
7 extra sealed copies of the grant, ordered with the application (£2 each)1	£14
Additional death certificates from the register office (£12.50 each)	£25
RICS probate property valuation3	£250
Typical total	£815

Swap the formal valuation for a free estate-agent appraisal where the estate is nowhere near the Inheritance Tax threshold, and the same estate comes in around £565. The same estate handed to a solicitor charging 2% would cost roughly £8,000 plus VAT on top of these disbursements — which is why so many executors do the routine work themselves.

Valuation costs

Before probate can be applied for, the estate must be valued. Some valuations cost nothing (banks provide date-of-death balances free of charge), while others incur fees:

• Property valuation: A formal RICS-qualified probate valuation typically costs £150–£400. This is separate from an estate agent's market appraisal (which is usually free but not suitable for HMRC purposes). Some estate agents offer formal probate valuations - check whether they have a qualified valuer or just an estimate.
• Investment and share valuations: Most investment platforms and share registrars provide date-of-death valuations free of charge or for a small administration fee of £10–£50.
• Contents valuation: For ordinary household contents, a self-assessment using reasonable estimates is usually acceptable for HMRC purposes. For estates containing significant antiques, art, jewellery, or other valuables, a professional valuation from a specialist auctioneer (such as Bonhams or Christie's) may be appropriate. Costs vary widely.

Solicitor fees

If you instruct a solicitor, costs depend on how much work they do. There are three common fee structures:

Percentage of the estate

Many traditional solicitors charge a percentage of the gross estate value - typically 1–4%. For a £300,000 estate, this could mean fees of £3,000–£12,000 plus VAT. The Law Society previously set a scale, but this is no longer used and solicitors are free to charge what they wish. Always ask for a written estimate before instructing anyone.

Fixed fee

Many solicitors and specialist probate services now offer fixed fees for specific tasks or the full process. Fixed fees for a straightforward estate might range from £1,500 to £3,500 plus VAT and disbursements. This is often better value than a percentage fee and makes costs predictable.

Hourly rate

Some solicitors charge by the hour for probate work. Rates vary from around £150 to £400 per hour depending on the firm and the seniority of the person doing the work. For a complex estate this can add up quickly.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs that the solicitor or executor pays to third parties on behalf of the estate. These are charged in addition to any professional fees:

• Death certificates (from the register office): typically £12.50 per copy
• Probate court fee: £526 (for estates over £5,000)¹
• Extra sealed copies of the grant: £2 each with the application, £16 each afterwards¹
• Gazette and local newspaper statutory notices: £100–£200
• Land Registry fees (for property transfer or sale): £20–£455 depending on value
• Bankruptcy searches on beneficiaries: around £2 each (commonly required by solicitors)
• Office copy entries from HM Land Registry: £3–£7 each

Inheritance tax

Inheritance Tax is not a cost of probate itself, but it is a significant liability for larger estates. The standard rate is 40% on the value above the nil-rate band of £325,000 per person.⁴ A residence nil-rate band of up to £175,000 can apply when a home passes to children or grandchildren, and a widow or widower can inherit their late spouse's unused bands — so the effective tax-free threshold is often £500,000 or even £1 million for a couple.⁴ See our guide to Inheritance Tax for executors for the full detail.

DIY probate vs using a solicitor

For a straightforward estate - clear will, no disputes, no complex assets, estate below the nil-rate band - many executors handle probate themselves without any trouble. The government's online application is designed for exactly this situation. See our full comparison at DIY probate vs solicitor.

When DIY makes sense:

• The will is clear and unambiguous
• There are no disputes between beneficiaries
• There is no inheritance tax to pay or report
• Assets are straightforward (bank accounts, ISAs, possibly a property)
• The executor has time to devote to correspondence with institutions

When a solicitor is worth it:

• The estate involves overseas assets, trusts, or business interests
• Inheritance tax is due and the position is complicated
• There are disputes between family members or challenges to the will
• The executor is also a beneficiary and there are concerns about conflicts of interest
• The executor simply does not have the time or confidence to handle a lengthy process

If you decide to use a solicitor, you do not have to hand over everything. You can handle the straightforward parts yourself - gathering balances, notifying institutions - and pay a solicitor only for the parts where you want help, such as property transfers or inheritance tax calculations. This can significantly reduce the overall bill. For more on doing parts yourself, see our guide to probate without a solicitor.

When to get professional advice

Costs escalate quickly in complex estates. Get professional advice - and a fixed-fee quote before committing - if:

• The estate is above the inheritance tax threshold and the IHT position is not straightforward
• There is a property sale involved and you want the conveyancing handled professionally
• Beneficiaries are asking questions about the administration that you cannot comfortably answer
• A creditor or potential claimant has indicated they may make a claim against the estate

Always get a written estimate before instructing any professional, and ask clearly whether VAT is included and what disbursements are not covered.

Frequently asked questions

How much does probate cost if I do it myself?

For most estates, just the £526 court fee¹ plus £2 for each extra sealed copy of the grant ordered with the application. Add a property valuation and a few death certificates and a typical DIY estate comes in around £550–£650 all in.

Is there really no fee for small estates?

Correct. Estates worth £5,000 or less pay no application fee at all.¹ Many estates that small do not need probate in the first place — banks often release modest balances on sight of the death certificate and a short form.

Why do solicitors charge so much more?

Because they price the risk and the hours, not just the court fee. A percentage fee of 1–4% on a £400,000 estate is £4,000–£16,000 plus VAT — for administrative work you can largely do yourself if the estate is straightforward. A fixed fee is almost always better value than a percentage.

Can I pay the court fee from the estate?

Yes. Probate costs — the court fee, valuations, statutory notices — are legitimate estate expenses and are reimbursed from estate funds before anything is distributed to beneficiaries. If accounts are frozen, some banks will pay the probate fee and funeral bill directly to the provider.

How many sealed copies of the grant should I order?

Count the banks, investment platforms, pension providers and the Land Registry you will need to deal with, then order that many with your application at £2 each.¹ Five to ten covers most estates. Running out and re-ordering later at £16 each is the expensive way to do it.

Does Inheritance Tax come out of the probate fee?

No — they are entirely separate. The £526 is a court charge for the grant. Inheritance Tax, where due, is 40% above the £325,000 nil-rate band⁴ and is paid to HMRC, usually before the grant is issued. See paying Inheritance Tax before probate.