Confused about the cost of probate? Part of our estate administration series, this guide to probate fees (both official and from solicitors) will break all the expenses down for you. Questions? Call us on 0800 054 9896 for free advice.
When someone dies, finances are the last thing you want to think about. Which is why probate fees – the cost of the grant of probate, and solicitors’ fees for probate services – can feel overwhelming. Here we’ve put together a simple breakdown of both.
How much is a grant of probate?
A grant of probate is an official document that gives you the legal right to settle the estate of someone who has died. If there’s no will, you’ll need to apply for a letter of administration instead – but this doesn’t change the cost.
What does change the cost of probate paperwork is the ‘net estate’: the total value of everything owned solely by the person who’s died, once debts and funeral costs have been deducted. Currently, the cost is £155 (if using a professional probate service) or £215 if not.
How much does it cost to get probate document copies?
You’re likely to need a few copies of the grant of probate or letter of administration. These will cost £1.50 each.
All grant copies issued will also include a copy of the will, if there is one.
How much are solicitors’ fees for probate?
Settling an estate can be a long, complicated and stressful process. While it’s possible to do it yourself, many people ask a solicitor or a professional probate service to work on their behalf. They’re particularly useful when:
- The estate is worth more than the minimum inheritance tax threshold.
- There is no will, or the will is invalid or contested.
- The estate is or may be bankrupt.
- The estate will be complicated or difficult to settle, such as when trusts need to be created or assets or property are owned outside the UK.
Probate services’ and solicitors’ costs for probate will vary depending on the estate and the way they charge:
- A percentage of the estate. This is usually 1-5% of the estate. Based on this, you can expect to pay between £1,000 and £5,000 in solicitors’ fees per £100,000 value of the estate, plus VAT. This becomes an issue when the estate is large but relatively simple – you can pay thousands more for the same level of effort.
- An hourly rate. This is usually around £100-250 an hour. The bonus here is that you only pay for work they actually do – but unexpected complications can make the probate fees much higher than initially expected.
- A fixed fee. Some professional probate services will charge a fixed fee, usually calculated based on the size and complexity of the estate. This can start at as little as £695 for an estate worth less than £100,000, but varies depending on the situation.
All these fees will be taken in addition to the cost of getting the grant of probate.
Comparing probate fees? Remember:
- Check what’s included in each quote. While some probate services will take care of every step of the probate process (even rehoming pets), others just help you to apply for a grant of probate.
- If a solicitor or bank was involved in creating the will, they may try to insist on administering the estate, but you don’t have to use their services. If they are forceful about it, you can formally request they step down or petition a court to have them removed.
- Third party services – like conveyancing, if a property needs to be sold – might add to the cost to probate a will. Make sure your chosen probate provider gives you a detailed breakdown of these third party services as part of their quote.
How much is probate at Beyond?
We offer a range of fixed-fee probate services starting at £695. And with us, what you see in our initial quote is what we’ll charge, no matter what happens or how large the estate turns out to be. To get a quote today, click here or call us on 0800 054 9896.
Next in our probate series >> What Happens After Probate is Granted?