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How Much Does Probate Cost?

A clear breakdown of probate costs in the UK — government fees, solicitor fees, and what affects the total cost of administering an estate.

Get a Fixed-Fee Quote Our Probate Fees

£300

Probate Registry Fee

Fixed government fee (estates over £5,000)

£900 – £1,500

Solicitor Fees (Grant Only)

Plus VAT. Fixed fee at PDA Law

From 1% of estate

Full Administration

Or fixed fee depending on complexity

Full Probate Cost Breakdown

Probate involves several different types of cost. Some are mandatory; others depend on the circumstances of the estate.

Cost Item	Typical Cost	Notes	Mandatory?
Probate Registry Application Fee	£300	Fixed government fee for estates over £5,000. Free for estates under £5,000. Additional sealed copies cost £1.50 each.	Yes
Solicitor Fees — Grant Only	£900 – £1,500 + VAT	Preparing and submitting the probate application, including the IHT return. Fixed fee at PDA Law — confirmed in writing before work begins.	Depends
Solicitor Fees — Full Estate Administration	1% – 3% of estate value	Or a fixed fee depending on complexity. Includes collecting assets, paying debts, dealing with property, HMRC clearance, and distributing to beneficiaries.	Depends
Inheritance Tax (IHT)	40% on amount above nil-rate band	Applies to estates over £325,000 (or up to £1m with residence nil-rate band and spousal transfer). IHT must be paid before probate is granted.	Depends
Property Valuation (RICS)	£150 – £500	Required for any property in the estate. Cost varies by property type and location. Some estate agents provide free valuations for probate purposes.	Depends
Bankruptcy Search	£2 per beneficiary	Recommended before distributing to beneficiaries to protect the executor from personal liability.	Depends
Statutory Advertisements (Trustee Act)	£150 – £300	Placing notices in the London Gazette and local press to protect executors from unknown creditor claims. Recommended for most estates.	Depends
Conveyancing (if property sold)	£800 – £2,000 + VAT	If a property in the estate is sold, standard conveyancing fees apply in addition to probate fees.	Depends

Our Probate Services & Fees

At PDA Law, we offer fixed fees confirmed in writing before any work begins. No hourly rates, no surprises.

Grant of Probate Only

Most common starting point

£900 – £1,500 + VAT

We prepare and submit the probate application on your behalf. You then administer the estate yourself.

Reviewing the will and advising on its validity
Preparing the probate application
Completing the HMRC inheritance tax return
Submitting to the Probate Registry
Forwarding the grant of probate to you

Full Estate Administration

Recommended for complex estates

From 1% of estate value

We manage the entire process from instruction to final distribution — you do not need to deal with banks, HMRC or beneficiaries.

Everything in the Grant Only service
Collecting all assets and closing accounts
Paying debts, liabilities and estate expenses
Dealing with property sales or transfers
Obtaining HMRC clearance
Preparing estate accounts
Distributing to beneficiaries

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does probate cost in the UK?

The total cost of probate depends on the size and complexity of the estate. The Probate Registry charges a fixed fee of £300. Solicitor fees for a grant-only service typically range from £900 to £1,500 plus VAT. Full estate administration is usually charged as 1–3% of the estate value, or a fixed fee. Inheritance tax (if applicable) is charged at 40% on the amount above the nil-rate band.

What is the Probate Registry fee?

The Probate Registry charges £300 to process a probate application for estates over £5,000. There is no fee for estates under £5,000. Additional sealed copies of the grant cost £1.50 each — you will typically need 5–10 copies to send to banks and other institutions.

Do I have to use a solicitor for probate?

No — you can apply for probate yourself. However, errors in the application or the inheritance tax return can cause significant delays and may result in penalties from HMRC. For complex estates, or where inheritance tax is involved, using a solicitor is strongly recommended. The cost of getting it wrong is usually far greater than the solicitor's fee.

How are probate solicitor fees calculated?

Solicitor fees are calculated in different ways depending on the firm. Some charge by the hour, some charge a percentage of the estate value, and some (like PDA Law) offer fixed fees confirmed in writing before work begins. For full estate administration, a percentage of 1–3% of the estate value is common. Always ask for a written fee estimate before instructing.

Can probate costs be paid from the estate?

Yes — probate costs (including solicitor fees) are an expense of the estate and are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. This means the executor does not need to fund the costs personally. However, inheritance tax must usually be paid before the grant is issued, which can create a cash flow challenge if the estate's assets are illiquid.

What is the cheapest way to do probate?

The cheapest option is to apply for probate yourself using the government's online service. The only mandatory cost is the £300 Probate Registry fee. However, this approach carries risk — particularly if the estate is complex, includes property, or is liable for inheritance tax. A solicitor's fixed-fee grant-only service (typically £900–£1,500 + VAT) provides professional oversight at a predictable cost.

How much does probate cost for a small estate?

For small estates (under £5,000), there is no Probate Registry fee and probate may not be required at all — many banks will release small balances without a grant. For estates between £5,000 and £50,000, the Probate Registry fee is £300 and solicitor fees for a grant-only service typically range from £900 to £1,200 plus VAT.

Are there any hidden costs in probate?

The main costs to be aware of beyond solicitor fees are: the Probate Registry fee (£300), property valuation fees (£150–£500), statutory advertisement costs (£150–£300), bankruptcy search fees (£2 per beneficiary), and conveyancing fees if a property is sold. A good solicitor will set out all likely costs in writing at the outset.

How long does probate take and how does that affect costs?

A straightforward probate application takes 3–6 months from instruction to grant. Full estate administration typically takes 9–12 months. Complexity — such as inheritance tax, property sales, or disputes — extends the timeline and increases costs. If you instruct a solicitor on a fixed-fee basis, the timeline does not affect the fee.

What happens if the estate cannot pay the inheritance tax before probate?

HMRC requires inheritance tax to be paid (or arrangements made) before the Probate Registry will issue a grant. If the estate's assets are illiquid (for example, tied up in property), HMRC offers an instalment option for certain assets. Banks may also release funds directly to HMRC under the Direct Payment Scheme without requiring a grant. A solicitor can advise on the best approach.

Our Probate Team

Speak to a Member of Our Team

Probate & Estate Administration

Nikolina Vukovic

Legal Executive — Wills, Trusts & Estates

Nikolina specialises in probate, wills, trusts and estate administration. She supports clients through what is often one of the most difficult periods of their lives — from straightforward administrations to complex estates involving property, inheritance tax and sensitive family circumstances.

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IHT Planning & Probate

Darren Steele

Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member

Darren has worked in the legal sector since 1998 and has been a STEP member since 2011. He specialises in wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney and probate — with particular expertise in inheritance tax planning and complex estate structuring.

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Wills & Probate Solicitor

Laura Kirton

Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified

Laura is a qualified solicitor with ten years' post-qualification experience, specialising in wills, probate, and lasting powers of attorney. Known for her calm, methodical approach, she brings both legal expertise and genuine insight to every matter — particularly in emotionally complex family situations.

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Client Enquiries & Probate

David Stahler

Wills, Trusts & Estates Executive

David is our first point of contact for clients enquiring about probate and estate planning. He brings a warm, personable approach to what can be a sensitive subject — and clients consistently remark on how at ease he makes them feel. Discreet, approachable, and thorough.

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