Probate Cost Calculator
Probate costs range from a few hundred pounds if you handle it yourself to several thousand for a full solicitor service. This calculator gives an itemised low-high estimate based on the estate value, complexity and route you choose.
Probate Cost Calculator
Probate costs range from a few hundred pounds if you handle it yourself to several thousand for a full solicitor service. This calculator gives an itemised low-high estimate based on the estate value, complexity and route you choose.
Costs vary by provider and region. Figures exclude any costs of selling property, tracing missing beneficiaries, or resolving disputes, which are charged separately.
Confirm your figure with a probate specialist
Estimates get you close. A specialist confirms your exact inheritance tax position, what reliefs and nil-rate bands apply, and the quickest route to grant of probate. No obligation, and we reply within one working day.
What probate actually costs, by route
The court itself charges a single probate application fee, £526 from 13 July 2026 (previously £300), for estates worth more than £5,000, plus a small charge per extra sealed copy of the grant that you will usually want for banks, pension providers and the Land Registry. On top of this, most estates that include a property need a formal or informal valuation, typically £150 to £800 depending on whether that is an estate agent appraisal or a RICS valuation.
Beyond the court fee, the biggest cost variable is who does the work. Handling probate yourself keeps costs to the court fee and valuations, but takes real time and carries the risk of errors on the IHT forms. A fixed-fee probate service typically charges £1,500 to £3,000 for a simple estate and £3,000 to £6,000 or more where a full IHT400 or foreign assets are involved, with the price agreed upfront.
Solicitors charging by the hour typically bill £200 to £300 an hour and the total depends heavily on how many hours the estate actually takes, while percentage-based fees, commonly 1% to 5% of the estate, scale with estate value regardless of how much work is actually involved, and can end up considerably more expensive than a fixed fee on a large, straightforward estate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay the probate fee upfront?
Yes, the £526 application fee is normally paid when you submit the application, usually from the estate's own funds via a bank arrangement for probate, or reimbursed to the person paying it once the grant is issued and accounts are accessible.
Is DIY probate a false economy?
For a simple estate, one bank account, one beneficiary, no property, DIY probate can work well and save several thousand pounds. For anything with a property, multiple beneficiaries, or an IHT400 requirement, the time and error risk usually make a fixed-fee service worthwhile.
Why do percentage fees vary so much between firms?
There's no regulated cap on solicitor probate fees, so percentage rates on the estate value (commonly 1% to 5%, sometimes plus VAT) differ by firm and region. On a £600,000 estate, a 4% fee is £24,000, several times a typical fixed fee, which is why comparing quotes matters.
Are these costs on top of inheritance tax?
Yes. Probate fees and professional fees are entirely separate from any inheritance tax due on the estate, and neither reduces the other, though professional fees for the estate administration are sometimes deductible when working out the estate's own tax position in limited circumstances.
What extra costs might come up later?
Selling a property, tracing a missing beneficiary, obtaining a foreign grant, or resolving a dispute between beneficiaries are all charged on top of standard probate fees and can add significantly to the total.
Want to be sure of your position?
A calculator gives you the shape of the answer. We confirm your exact figure and the reliefs that apply to you. Tell us about your situation for a no-obligation review.