England and Wales
How much do solicitors charge for probate?
The court fee to apply for probate in England and Wales is £526, and there is no fee if the estate is £5,000 or less (gov.uk, checked August 2026). Doing it yourself costs nothing beyond that. If you would rather have help, a fixed-fee service that obtains the grant for you typically costs £500–£1,500, and full estate administration is commonly charged at 1–2.5% of the estate's value (typical 2026 quotes). There is no rush and no wrong choice; if you'd like quotes, tell us a little about the estate and probate specialists will set out their fees plainly.
The process
- Tell us a little about the estate and the help you want. Two minutes, and a rough idea is fine.
- We pass your details to relevant probate specialists, and to no one else.
- They contact you directly, explain their fees plainly, and you decide in your own time. Compare, choose, or handle it yourself after all.
Probate Costs is an independent information and introduction service operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd, covering England and Wales. We are not a law firm and are not affiliated with HM Courts and Tribunals Service or HMRC; nothing on this site is legal or tax advice. Court fees were checked against gov.uk in August 2026 and can change; professional fee figures are typical 2026 quotes that vary by firm and estate. We pass your details to relevant probate specialists who contact you directly; we may receive a fee from those firms, and you pay nothing.
What probate costs in England and Wales, 2026
Last updated
Every cost involved in getting probate, from doing it yourself to full professional administration. Court fees are the official gov.uk figures, checked August 2026; professional fees are typical quote ranges observed across the market in 2026 and vary by firm and estate.
Court fees are taken from gov.uk (applying for probate: fees), checked August 2026. Professional fee ranges are typical 2026 quotes for probate work in England and Wales; firms charge fixed fees, hourly rates or a percentage of the estate, and complexity moves quotes beyond these ranges. The percentage example applies the common 1–2.5% rate to a £300,000 estate. Inheritance tax is a separate matter from probate costs and depends on the estate; thresholds are on gov.uk.
| Item | Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Probate application fee, estate over £5,000 | £526 | Official court fee, gov.uk, checked August 2026 |
| Probate application fee, estate £5,000 or less | £0 | No fee at all for small estates |
| Extra copies of the grant | £2 each with the application | £16 each if ordered later, so order copies up front |
| Doing probate yourself | £526 plus copies | There is no other required cost; the application is on gov.uk |
| Fixed-fee grant-only service | £500–£1,500 typical 2026 quotes | A professional obtains the grant; you handle the estate yourself |
| Full estate administration | Commonly 1–2.5% of the estate, or hourly | On a £300,000 estate that is £3,000–£7,500, usually plus VAT and the court fee |
- The probate application fee in England and Wales is £526 for estates over £5,000, and £0 for estates of £5,000 or less (gov.uk, checked August 2026).
- Doing probate yourself costs nothing beyond the £526 application fee and £2 per extra copy of the grant.
- Full estate administration by a professional is commonly charged at 1–2.5% of the estate's value in 2026 quotes, so £3,000–£7,500 on a £300,000 estate, usually plus VAT.
Cite this page
“What probate costs in England and Wales, 2026”, Probate Costs, https://probatecosts.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14). Court fees are taken from gov.uk (applying for probate: fees), checked August 2026. Professional fee ranges are typical 2026 quotes for probate work in England and Wales; firms charge fixed fees, hourly rates or a percentage of the estate, and complexity moves quotes beyond these ranges. The percentage example applies the common 1–2.5% rate to a £300,000 estate. Inheritance tax is a separate matter from probate costs and depends on the estate; thresholds are on gov.uk.
Go deeper
Each one cites where its numbers come from.
- Probate solicitor fees: how much solicitors charge in 2026
Probate solicitors charge fixed fees (£500–£1,500 grant-only), hourly rates, or 1–2.5% of the estate for full administration. What each covers and who pays.
- Probate application fee: £526, and when there's no fee at all
The probate application fee in England and Wales is £526 for estates over £5,000 and £0 under that. Extra copies £2 each. What DIY probate really costs.
- Fixed fee probate: what £500–£1,500 grant-only services include
Fixed-fee probate services obtain the grant for £500–£1,500 (typical 2026 quotes) while you handle the estate. What's included, what isn't, and when it suits.
The questions we get
How much does probate cost?
In England and Wales: a £526 court application fee (nothing if the estate is £5,000 or less), which is the whole cost if you apply yourself. Professional help typically adds £500–£1,500 for a fixed-fee grant-only service, or commonly 1–2.5% of the estate for full administration (typical 2026 quotes, usually plus VAT).
Do I have to use a solicitor for probate?
No. Anyone entitled to apply can do so themselves on gov.uk, and the only required cost is the £526 application fee. Solicitors and probate specialists are a choice, most valuable where there is inheritance tax to report, no will, property abroad, a business, or disagreement in the family.
Is inheritance tax part of probate costs?
No, it is a separate matter. Inheritance tax only arises if the estate exceeds the tax-free thresholds: the £325,000 nil-rate band, plus up to £175,000 residence nil-rate band where a home passes to direct descendants, both currently frozen (gov.uk/inheritance-tax). Many estates pay none, but the reporting forms part of the probate application either way.
How long does probate take?
Getting the grant commonly takes a few months from starting the paperwork, including the gathering of valuations beforehand and the court's processing time, which varies; check current HMCTS timescales when you apply. Administering the whole estate afterwards, especially selling a house, often takes several months more. There is usually no legal deadline to apply for probate itself.
Does this site cover Scotland?
No. This site covers England and Wales. Scotland has a different process called confirmation, with its own forms, fees and terminology, and Northern Ireland has its own probate system too. The gov.uk guidance links to the right process for each nation.
Is this quote service really free?
Yes, free to you, with no obligation to instruct anyone. We pass your details only to relevant probate specialists, who contact you directly and explain their fees; we may receive a fee from those firms, which is how the service is funded. Taking your time costs nothing.