The cost of probate will depend on the value and complexity of the estate, whether you deal with the application yourself and how much professional support you need.
There is a set probate application fee, but other costs can arise from valuations, legal advice, property matters and the wider administration of the estate.
How much is the probate application fee?
For estates valued at more than £5,000, the current probate application fee in England and Wales is £526 (As of August 2026).
There is no application fee where the estate is valued at £5,000 or less.
If you need additional copies of the probate document, these currently cost £2 each when ordered at the same time as the application. Copies requested after the application has been submitted cost £16 each.
Having several copies can be useful because different banks, investment providers and other organisations may need to see the grant while the estate is being administered.
Are there any other probate costs?
The application fee is only one potential cost of dealing with an estate.
Depending on the circumstances, additional expenses may include:
- Property valuations
- Professional valuations of valuable possessions
- Searches and notices
- Property insurance or maintenance
- Legal fees
- Tax advice
- Costs involved in selling or transferring property
- Fees connected with overseas or more complicated assets
A straightforward estate involving relatively few assets may therefore cost much less to administer than an estate containing property, numerous investments, business interests or assets abroad.
How much does a solicitor charge for probate?
Solicitors' fees vary depending on how much help you require and the complexity of the estate.
Some people only need a solicitor to obtain the Grant of Probate on their behalf. Others prefer their solicitor to deal with the entire administration, including collecting assets, settling liabilities and distributing the estate to beneficiaries.
At John Fowlers, we offer different levels of support depending on what you need.
We can agree a fixed fee for obtaining the Grant of Representation, with the amount discussed during an initial meeting based on the executors involved and the assets and liabilities within the estate.
For full estate administration, our fees can be calculated using an hourly rate or, where appropriate, as a fixed percentage of the gross value of the estate.
What affects the cost of probate?
No two estates are exactly the same, which means the amount of work required can vary considerably.
Factors that may increase the cost include:
- Several properties
- Numerous bank or investment accounts
- Business interests
- Overseas assets
- Inheritance Tax
- Trusts contained within a Will
- Difficulty locating assets or beneficiaries
- Disputes between beneficiaries
- Claims against the estate
- A missing or unclear Will
By comparison, an estate containing one property, a small number of accounts and a straightforward Will may require considerably less work.
This is why we will normally need some information about the estate before we can give you a meaningful indication of the likely costs involved.
Can I apply for probate myself to save money?
Yes. You do not have to instruct a solicitor to make a probate application.
If the estate is straightforward and you feel comfortable dealing with the responsibilities involved, applying personally can reduce professional costs.
However, probate itself is only one stage of administering an estate.
Executors and administrators also need to make sure assets are valued correctly, debts and tax matters are dealt with and the estate is distributed to the correct beneficiaries.
Using a solicitor may be particularly helpful where the estate is complicated, Inheritance Tax is involved or you are unsure about your responsibilities.
At John Fowlers, we can provide as much or as little support as you need. This can range from helping you obtain the grant through to dealing with the full estate administration on your behalf.
Is help available with the probate application fee?
In some circumstances, help may be available with the court fee if the person applying has a low income or receives certain benefits.
Eligibility relates to the person making the application rather than simply the value of the estate.
If you are unsure whether you may qualify for help with the application fee, this is worth checking before submitting the probate application.
Who pays probate costs?
Costs properly incurred while administering an estate will commonly need to be accounted for before the remaining estate is distributed to beneficiaries.
Executors should keep clear records of fees and expenses paid during the administration so these can be included within the estate accounts.
If we are helping you administer the estate, we will explain the likely fees and expenses involved and how these are expected to be dealt with before work progresses.
Is using a probate solicitor worth the cost?
Whether you need a solicitor will depend on the estate and how confident you feel handling the process yourself.
For a simple estate, you may only require limited assistance. For more complicated estates, professional support can help make sure legal, tax and administrative responsibilities are dealt with correctly.
You also do not have to choose between doing everything yourself and handing over the whole process.
At John Fowlers, we can help with individual stages of the probate process or manage the complete estate administration for you, depending on what works best for your circumstances.
For a broader explanation of probate, including when it may be required and how the process works, read our guide to what probate is.
Need help understanding the cost of probate?
Probate costs will depend on the estate and the level of support you require, so getting a clearer picture at the beginning can make the process easier to manage.
At John Fowlers, our Probate and Estate Administration team can discuss the estate with you, explain the options available and provide clear information about the likely costs involved.
Whether you need help obtaining the Grant of Probate or would prefer us to administer the estate on your behalf, we can tailor our support to your circumstances.
Contact us today to speak to a member of our team.