What is the probate application fee in 2026?

£526 for estates valued over £5,000, following the increase from £300 on 13 July 2026 (Court and Tribunal Fees Order 2026). Estates of £5,000 or less pay no application fee. Extra sealed copies of the grant cost £1.50 each — order several, as each bank and the Land Registry want one.

How much does a solicitor charge for probate?

Commonly £1,500–£5,000+ for a straightforward estate, or 1–5% of the estate's value for full administration — on a £400,000 estate a percentage fee can reach £8,000–£20,000. Always ask for a fixed-fee quote and whether VAT and disbursements are included.

What does DIY probate cost in total?

Realistically £600–£800 for a straightforward estate: the £526 fee, a handful of £1.50 grant copies, statutory creditor notices (~£90–£110), and valuation costs if you pay for a professional property valuation. Plus any inheritance tax owed, which is a liability of the estate, not a fee.

Who pays probate costs — me or the estate?

The estate, ultimately — but the applicant pays upfront and claims reimbursement from estate funds once the grant arrives and accounts are unfrozen. Keep every receipt. Executors can recover all reasonable expenses.

Are online probate services worth it?

Fixed-fee online probate services (£1,000–£2,500 typical) sit between DIY and solicitors. For a straightforward estate, DIY with our guide is usually enough; for anything taxable or contested, pay for proper advice — mistakes in IHT accounts are the expensive kind.

Probate Costs UK 2026: DIY vs Solicitor Compared

Probate costs in 2026: every fee, honestly compared

Quick answer

The court fee for probate is £526 for estates over £5,000 (since 13 July 2026), plus £1.50 per grant copy. DIY probate of a straightforward estate typically costs £600–£800 all-in. Solicitors charge £1,500–£5,000+ or 1–5% of the estate. Probate costs are paid by the estate, though the applicant fronts them and is reimbursed.

The unavoidable costs

Court application fee: £526 — estates over £5,000 (raised from £300 on 13 July 2026). No fee at £5,000 or under.
Sealed grant copies: £1.50 each — order 4–6; every bank, platform and the Land Registry wants an official copy.
Death certificates: £12.50 each — see registering a death.
Statutory creditor notices: ~£90–£110 — the s.27 Trustee Act 1925 advertisements in The Gazette and a local paper that protect executors from unknown debts.

DIY vs professional: honest numbers

DIY (straightforward estate): £600–£800 all-in, plus your time — expect 20–60 hours spread over months. Online probate services: roughly £1,000–£2,500 fixed fee. Solicitors: £1,500–£5,000+ for straightforward work, or 1–5% of estate value for full administration — always demand a fixed-fee quote and check whether VAT, disbursements and conveyancing are extra.

Estimate your own position with the probate fees estimator.

The costs people forget

Inheritance tax — not a fee, but often the largest single payment; some IHT must usually be paid before the grant issues (the Direct Payment Scheme lets banks pay HMRC directly from the deceased's accounts).
Property costs — insurance on an empty property, utilities, maintenance and council tax while it sits unsold.
Valuations — professional valuations for property, businesses or collections; HMRC can challenge amateur figures.
Conveyancing — selling or transferring the property is a separate legal job with its own fee.
Accountancy — estate income tax returns if assets earn income during administration.

Keeping costs down legitimately

Do the admin yourself and buy expertise only for the hard parts: many executors handle the application personally, then pay a solicitor for the IHT400 or an accountant for the estate return. Read the full process in the probate guide and the working order in the executor checklist.