Introduction
Sorting out all the admin after someone dies can be difficult and emotionally draining, and it also comes with a financial cost. This article provides a clear, detailed breakdown of all the different probate costs in the UK. We also offer some suggestions of how to manage these expenses effectively.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process of sorting out all the property, money, possessions and debt of someone who’s died. Going through probate usually means applying for a Grant of Probate, selling property and possessions, and sharing out what’s left.
You usually need a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration when there isn’t a will) if the person who died:
owned property (unless owned as joint tenants with someone else)
held a certain amount of money in a bank account, though the specific amount varies depending on the financial institution
Read more about the probate process, or find out more about the different bank thresholds.
Key components of probate costs
Probate costs typically include legal fees, Probate Registry fees, and other additional expenses.
Legal fees: These cover the cost of a solicitor or probate professional (if you decide to use one) to help with the estate administration
Probate Registry fees: These are the fees paid to the Probate Registry for issuing the Grant of Probate
Additional expenses: These can include payments such as death certificates, valuation fees and other administrative expenses
Breaking down probate costs
Legal fees
You don’t have to use a professional to manage probate, but it can save a lot of time and worry. In general, the more complicated someone’s affairs are, the harder it is to manage everything yourself.
A complicated estate (where someone owned property and many assets) is going to take longer to sort out. Unfortunately, sometimes disputes and arguments can arise during the probate process, and this can also add to the time taken to sort out the estate, and the costs involved.
If you do use a professional, legal fees can make up a large part of probate expenses. The fees vary depending on the complexity, size, and specific needs of the estate. There’s more information below about choosing the right cost-effective probate service for you.
Probate Registry fees
The Probate Registry charges fees for processing and issuing a Grant of Probate. At the moment, the application fee is £300 for estates valued over £5,000.
There are some exemptions.
No fee is required for estates valued at £5,000 or less.
You may not have to pay if you have a low income, limited capital, or receive certain benefits. You can find out more, and fill in or print out the right forms at GOV.UK
Additional costs and disbursements
There are a number of additional costs over and above legal and Probate Registry fees. Common additional costs include the following.
Funeral costs: Costs related to arranging and carrying out the funeral
Valuation services: Fees for valuing assets such as property, personal belongings, or investments
Property clearance: Costs for clearing and removing items from a property
Locksmiths and renovations: Charges for securing a property or carrying out essential repairs or maintenance
Travel expenses: Travel costs incurred while dealing with estate matters, such as visiting properties or attending appointments
Property insurance: Insurance premiums to protect any unoccupied property during the probate process
Copies of legal documents: Fees for obtaining official documents such as the death certificate, or Land Registry records.
Statutory advertisements: You may have to pay to place certain notices in the London Gazette and local newspapers
Bankruptcy searches: Conducting bankruptcy searches for beneficiaries
Asset searches: Conducting search for assets and debts in the estate when these are not known
Genealogists: Fees for tracing missing beneficiaries
If you use a professional to help manage the estate, you might hear the term ‘disbursements’ used. Disbursements are costs paid by the professional to other companies, individuals and organisations on behalf of the estate of the person who died. These will then be added to the professional’s bill to be paid out of the estate. For example, the professional might pay the Probate Registry fees or the fees to get copies of legal documents from the Land Registry.
Who pays for probate costs?
Generally, the probate costs are paid from the estate of the person who died. This means that the money held within the estate is used to cover the various fees and expenses that need to be paid during the probate process.
The people actually making the payments will be the executors or administrators of the estate, or legal professionals acting on their behalf. Executors and administrators are the people (or sometimes, a company) who are dealing with the property, belongings, and money of the person who died. Sometimes, a special executor bank account is set up to help manage the process, and payments are made from that account.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of how probate costs are usually paid.
Legal fees: If you’re using a solicitor or probate professional to help with the probate process, their fees can be claimed back from the estate. Exactly how and when the fees are paid depends on the service you opt for. The two main types of service are full estate administration (where the professional handles the entire process, including applying for probate, paying off debts and distributing the inheritance) and Grant of Probate only (where the professional only prepares the probate forms, and applies to the Probate Registry on your behalf). These are explained in more detail below.
Probate Registry fees: The £300 application fee (for estates over £5,000) can be paid online or by cheque when applying. This fee is charged to the estate as an expense, regardless of whether the executor pays it directly or the solicitor or probate professional pays it on their behalf.
Additional expenses: Reasonable expenses that the executor or administrator needs to pay, such as valuation services, property clearance costs, and legal fees for property sales, are also paid from the estate. Sometimes, the executor or administrator may have to pay up front using their own money, and claim the money back later. It’s important to keep a record of all expenses for the estate accounts. If you’re using a solicitor or probate professional, they will provide you with a breakdown of all additional costs and disbursements.
Inheritance tax
Another significant payment that may need to be made after someone dies is inheritance tax (IHT). Inheritance tax is a tax on the value of someone’s estate when they die. The tax must be calculated and paid (if due) before you can apply for probate and carry out the other tasks needed before sharing out any inheritance. Read more about inheritance tax including some example calculations.
Inheritance tax rates and thresholds
Inheritance tax is generally charged at 40% on estates above a specific threshold (the nil-rate band)
The nil-rate band is currently £325,000. This means you don’t pay anything up to this amount
Transfers to surviving husbands, wives and civil partners are usually exempt from inheritance tax
There is an additional allowance called the ‘residence nil rate band’. This applies if the person who died left their main residence (house or flat) to direct descendants, like their children or grandchildren
Managing inheritance tax can be complicated. It’s a good idea to look for professional advice with estate planning. A professional (such as a financial adviser) can help develop a tax-efficient strategy.
Estimating probate costs: Examples
Several factors can influence the final cost, such as the value of the estate, how complicated it is, and where the assets are held. Here are a few examples.
Small estate (Under £325,000)
For an estate with a property and a few bank accounts.
Grant only: £500 - £2,500 + VAT
Full estate administration: £2,500 - £6,500 + VAT.
Medium estate (£325,000 - £1 million)
For an estate with a property, some bank accounts, life policies and/or investments. No IHT to pay but may require submitting IHT forms.
Grant only: £1,500 - £3,500 + VAT
Full estate administration: £3,500 - £15,000 + VAT.
Large estate (Over £1 million)
For an estate with a property, several bank accounts, life policies, businesses, investments, private pensions. Estate typically subject to IHT.
Grant only: £2,500 - £5,000 + VAT
Full estate administration: Generally more than £15,000 + VAT
If challenges and disputes come up during the estate administration this can add to the legal costs or lead to delays and penalties.
Reducing probate costs: What are the options?
There are few possible ways to reduce probate costs.
Good estate planning
Managing probate yourself
Choosing a probate service that fits your needs
Good estate planning
Good planning before someone dies can help make a big difference to the costs afterwards. Things like writing a will and having a list of all assets and debts will make it easier for executors, and might help make it possible for them to manage the process themselves.
Planning can also make sure that any inheritance is passed on to the next generation in the most efficient way. Consulting a professional in these cases, although it might cost more up front, can be a worthwhile investment.
Managing probate yourself
It is possible to handle probate without professional help, and this can save on legal fees. If you go down this route, the executor or administrator is responsible for all paperwork and legal requirements.
In general, this option can be suitable if the estate is straightforward. But any mistakes on the probate or inheritance forms can lead to significant delays.
You should also be aware that executors and administrators take on personal financial and legal liability. If they make mistakes — such as miscalculating taxes, sharing out inheritance incorrectly, or failing to settle debts — they can be held personally responsible for any losses, even if this was unintentional.
Choosing a probate service that fits your needs
Another option to save costs is to use a Grant of Probate only service offered at a fixed cost. This is a more affordable option as the legal professional will just prepare the probate forms and submit on your behalf.
If you need a full estate administration service, use a reasonably priced firm and consider one which charges a fixed fee rather than an hourly rate or percentage of the estate.
With all probate services you should make sure you understand what the fee includes to avoid unexpected charges. The different types of probate service and what they offer is explained below.
Choosing a probate service
There are two main types of probate service.
Full estate administration: This involves handling the entire probate process, from applying for the Grant of Probate to distributing the estate. The service includes:
Notifying banks and organisations
Gathering necessary information for HMRC and Probate Registry forms
Preparing and submitting the inheritance tax forms and arranging the inheritance tax payment (if required)
Preparing and submitting the probate application
Collecting and transferring assets
Paying any liabilities and debts
Preparing estate accounts
Sharing out the estate according to the will or (where there wasn’t a will) intestacy rules
Grant of Probate only: This is a more limited service. The professional prepares the probate forms, and applies to the Probate Registry on your behalf. You are responsible for collecting necessary information, notifying organisations, and dealing with the estate after the Grant of Probate has been issued.
How are the fees charged?
For full estate administration, solicitors typically charge their fees directly to the estate and executors don’t need to pay the fees out of their own pocket. For a Grant of Probate only service, executors are required to pay the solicitor themselves, but can then take the money back from the estate later.
Some providers offer fixed fees, while others charge hourly, or charge a percentage of the estate. At Trustestate, we charge a transparent fixed fee that is clear and understood from the very beginning of the process.
There are a few things you can do to manage professional fees effectively:
Get quotes: Ask for detailed quotes from probate legal service providers
Compare services: Look at different providers and the services they offer. Opt for firms that offer services that suit your needs (for example, having the flexibility to obtain just a Grant of Probate or instruct the legal professional to perform full estate administration)
Evaluate costs and value: Choose a service that provides the best value for the estate’s needs
Expertise: Look for regulated professionals with experience in estate administration
Transparency: Choose providers who offer transparent and fixed pricing
Breaking down the components of probate costs, recognising the impact of inheritance tax, and exploring options for reducing expenses, will help you deal with the probate process more confidently. Carefully evaluating your options, and looking for the right professional advice, will help make sure the probate process runs smoothly and cost-effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions about probate costs
What is the typical cost of probate in the UK?
Probate costs can vary widely based on the estate’s size and complexity. There are three main types of costs to consider. Legal fees range from £500 to £15,000 plus VAT, but can be even higher sometimes depending on the circumstances. The Probate Registry charges £300 for estates over £5,000. Lastly, additional costs for valuations and property clearance which typically range from £10 to £500.
Is it worth using a solicitor for probate?
It depends on your situation and the complexity of the estate. If things are at all complicated, using a professional can be cost-effective, save you a lot of time, and protect you from costly mistakes.
How do I avoid probate fees?
If probate is needed it will not be possible to avoid all fees (unless the estate is very small). But there are some things you can do to minimise the amount spent, including good estate planning beforehand, managing the process yourself, or choosing a Grant of Probate only service.
When is probate required?
You’ll probably need probate if the person who died owned property or they had more than £5,000 to £50,000 in a bank (the exact amount depends on the bank).
How should I choose a probate service
You should consider what kind of service you need, and make sure the professionals you choose have expertise in estate administration. Make sure they are clear and upfront about all the costs before you commit.
What is Trustestate’s approach to probate costs?
At Trustestate, we charge a transparent fixed fee that is clear and understood from the very beginning of the process. Our customer surveys have overwhelmingly shown us that clients prefer this. We use technology to streamline the probate process and pass on the cost savings to the customer, making us much more affordable than traditional services who may charge by the hour or percent of the estate.
How Trustestate can help
Dealing with the admin after someone dies can be a challenging and overwhelming process. Let Trustestate take out the hassle for a fixed transparent fee. We offer a simple, streamlined service with expert support at every stage. Book a free call with one of our experts to find out more.
What we offer
Use our Complete Probate service and we’ll manage every stage of the process – we’ll take over all the admin, apply to the court for probate, and share out the estate. Or if the estate is simple and you have time, you can use our Grant of Probate service, and we’ll apply for probate using information you provide.
Whichever service you choose, you’ll get dedicated advice every step of the way, and an online platform to keep track of everything.
