Cost · 7 min read
How much does probate cost in the UK?
Probate costs fall into three separate buckets: the court fee, the cost of whoever prepares the application, and the incidental costs of administering the estate. Mixing them up is why quotes look so different.
1. The court fee (fixed, paid to HMCTS)
The application fee is set by the government and is the same whether a solicitor applies or you apply yourself. It does not vary with the size of the estate above the exemption threshold.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate application, estate above £5,000 | £526 |
| Estate of £5,000 or less | No fee |
| Extra copy of the grant, ordered with the application | £2 |
| Extra copy ordered later | £16 |
Order more copies than you think you need. Each bank, pension provider and share registrar will want to see a sealed copy, and ordering them with the application is far cheaper than ordering them afterwards.
2. The cost of preparing the application
This is where the money is, and where the range is enormous. There are broadly four routes.
| Route | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Fully DIY on GOV.UK | £0 | The forms, no guidance, no checking |
| Guided self-help platform | £349 fixed | Structured questions, valuation tools, letters, checklists |
| Fixed-fee probate firm | £1,000 – £3,000 | A firm completes the application for you |
| High-street solicitor, full administration | 2% – 5% of the estate, often plus hourly fees | The firm administers the whole estate |
The percentage model is the one to watch
A charge of 2%–5% on a £400,000 estate is £8,000–£20,000, for work that is largely identical to the work on a £150,000 estate. Percentage fees track the size of the estate, not the amount of effort involved. Always ask for the estimate in pounds, not percent.3. The incidental costs of administering the estate
These apply on every route, DIY or not. Budget for them separately.
- Death certificate copies, usually around £12 each — order several
- Property valuation: free estate-agent appraisals are common, but a RICS valuation (typically £250–£600) is safer where Inheritance Tax is in play
- Statutory notices in The Gazette and a local paper, roughly £250–£350, which protect you from unknown creditors
- Bankruptcy searches against beneficiaries, a few pounds each
- Property insurance and maintenance while a house sits empty
- Postage and certified copies
Does the estate pay, or do you?
Properly incurred costs of administering the estate are paid from the estate, not from your own pocket. In practice executors often pay up front and reimburse themselves from the estate account once funds are released. Keep every receipt: these figures appear in the estate accounts you give the beneficiaries.
Can the bank release money to pay the court fee?
Often yes. Most banks will pay funeral costs and Inheritance Tax directly to the supplier or HMRC from the deceased's account before a grant is issued. Ask the bank's bereavement team what they will release and what evidence they need.
Working out your own number
- Start with the court fee and the number of sealed copies you need — one per institution holding an asset.
- Add the preparation route you choose.
- Add the incidental costs above that apply to this estate.
- Compare that total against any solicitor quote expressed in pounds, for the same scope of work.
Fees change
Court fees are reviewed periodically. Figures on this page were last checked 6 August 2026. Confirm the current amount on GOV.UK before you apply.Not sure whether this estate is straightforward?
The free suitability checker asks about jurisdiction, disputes and complexity, and tells you in a few minutes whether a self-help route is sensible — or whether you should speak to a solicitor. No account needed.
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All guidesGeneral information only, not legal or tax advice. Last checked 2026-08-13.