Huge probate fee increase now in force – what you need to know
The cost of applying for probate – the legal right to administer a deceased person’s estate – has just soared by 75% from £300 to £526.
This significant change came into force on 13 July 2026 for estates valued at more than £5,000.
Although the government argues that the increase – part of a wider rise in court and tribunal fees – ‘recovers the cost of an ever-improving service’, specialist lawyers say the probate service backlog is actually growing, delays remain an issue and the service level for complex matters is worsening.
Partner Tom Scoffham, head of Wards Solicitors’ Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity team, says: “It is incredibly frustrating to see the further increase in court fees whilst many families still wait many months for a grant to issue. Unless the system improves, it is hard to justify to clients this further increase in costs.”
What do you need to know about the probate fee changes?
The increase in court fees applies to Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration applications for estates valued at more than £5,000.
Executors will now need to find an extra £226 upfront to start the probate process at a time when they are not only grieving the loss of a loved one but also having to pay other early costs like funeral expenses and valuation fees.
There is some good news – there is now a reduced fee, down from £16 to £2, if you request copies of probate documents at the same time as your application for probate.
What does applying for probate involve?
Applying for probate can be complex.
You need to find out the estimated value of the estate to work out whether Inheritance Tax (IHT) is due. This will involve contacting financial institutions and completing and sending off paperwork.
You also need to consider any gifts the deceased made, like cash or items of value, in the seven years before they died and the value of any trusts where they held a beneficial interest.
The picture can be further complicated by foreign assets, businesses, multiple properties and pensions.
Why should I use a solicitor for probate?
There are a number of reasons why using a solicitor is beneficial and cost effective:
- They will ensure the correct figures are submitted in the probate application.
- They can take the burden off grieving executors, who may be feeling pressure from beneficiaries of the Will, by calculating things like IHT and other fees which are important to get right.
- They are regulated and insured against errors, unlike an executor working alone.
- They can advise on whether tax savings can be made.
- They keep accurate records, vital for claiming certain allowances on the death of a second spouse for example, and if the Will is contested.
In certain situations, you must get legal advice.
These include when the terms of the Will are not clear, someone is likely to dispute the Will, part of the estate is likely to pass to someone under 18 or if the person who died left money or property in a trust.
The legal fees can be paid from the estate.
Get in touch
Wards Solicitors’ Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate team wins high praise in the 2026 edition of the independent Legal 500 guide of outstanding legal professionals for its ‘incredibly sensitive and caring team’.
All our solicitors are highly experienced. Many are members of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Both organisations require the highest standards from its members with proven qualifications and experience.
For more information, please contact any member of our Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity team.