---
title: "Probate fees estimator"
description: "Estate value to 2026 court fee (£526 over £5,000) plus a simple IHT allowance sketch. Not a tax return."
url: "https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/probate-fees-estimator/"
author: "Marcus Kaiser"
date_modified: "2026-08-12"
---

# Probate fees estimator

Enter the estate value to see the 2026 probate court fee (£526 for estates over £5,000), the applicable tax-free allowance (£325,000 nil-rate band, plus £175,000 residence band if a home passes to children), and a simplified inheritance tax estimate at 40% above the allowance. Figures are indicative, not tax advice.

> SwiftWill provides legal information and software for England & Wales under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Figures are taken from gov.uk, legislation.gov.uk and HMCTS, checked 12 August 2026. We have not given you legal advice — this is general information.

## How do you estimate probate fees?

## How are the probate fee numbers built?

The court fee is simple: £526 once, if the estate exceeds £5,000. The tax side stacks two
 allowances — the **nil-rate band** (£325,000, frozen since 2009 and until at
 least 2030) and, where a home passes to direct descendants, the **residence nil-rate
 band** (£175,000, tapering away above £2m estates) — then charges 40% on the excess.
 Transfers to a spouse or civil partner are exempt outright.

## When is the probate fees estimator not enough?

If the result shows tax due, or the estate includes a business, farm, trusts or foreign
 assets, stop estimating and take advice — IHT400 estates are where professional fees pay for
 themselves. Everything else — the admin, the application, the accounts — is covered step by
 step in [probate costs](/probate/probate-costs/) and
 the [executor checklist](/executor-checklist/).

## Frequently asked questions

### How accurate is the inheritance tax estimate?

It's a deliberate simplification for planning purposes. It applies the £325,000 nil-rate band and the £175,000 residence band (tapered above £2m), but ignores transferable allowances from a predeceased spouse (which can double the allowance to £1m for couples), debts, lifetime gifts within 7 years, charity exemptions, and business/agricultural reliefs. For a real figure, complete the HMRC forms or take advice.

### Is the £526 court fee per estate or per asset?

Per estate, once — however many banks, properties and accounts are involved. It was raised from £300 on 13 July 2026. Estates of £5,000 or less pay no court fee at all. Extra sealed copies of the grant are £1.50 each.

### What isn't included in this estimate?

Professional fees (solicitor, accountant, valuers, conveyancing), statutory creditor notices (~£90–£110), death certificates (£12.50 each), and ongoing property costs while the estate is administered. A DIY straightforward estate typically totals £600–£800 beyond any tax owed.

### Why does ticking 'everything to my spouse' zero the tax?

Transfers between UK-domiciled spouses and civil partners are fully exempt from inheritance tax, regardless of amount. The nil-rate bands then typically pass unused to the survivor, whose estate can claim up to £1m of combined allowances on the second death.

### The estimate shows a big tax bill — what can I do?

Talk to an estate-planning solicitor or independent financial adviser before doing anything. Legitimate mitigations exist (lifetime gifting rules, trusts, charity giving at the 10%/36% rate, pensions) — but they need proper advice. Honest flag: this is exactly the situation our suitability check would send to a professional.

Canonical HTML: https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/probate-fees-estimator/
Markdown: https://swiftwill.co.uk/tools/probate-fees-estimator.md
Last modified: 2026-08-12
Author: Marcus Kaiser (https://swiftwill.co.uk/author/marcus-kaiser/)