How Much Does Probate Cost in the UK? Every Fee Explained (2026)

What does probate cost in total in the UK?

Probate costs fall into two categories: government fees paid to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), which are fixed and published, and professional fees, which vary by firm, estate size, and complexity. The government fee is the only cost every applicant pays. Everything else depends on whether you apply yourself or instruct a solicitor, and whether the estate needs a formal valuation, inheritance tax reporting, or contested-claim proceedings.

Confusion around probate cost usually comes from mixing these two categories together. This guide separates them, sources every figure to a named primary source, and links out to the detailed breakdown for each component rather than repeating estimates that cannot be verified.

How much is the HMCTS probate application fee

The core government fee is a flat charge regardless of estate size once the estate exceeds £5,000. It does not scale with the value of the estate.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed the increase to £526 in its 19 June 2026 announcement of court and tribunal fee changes, alongside a new reduced copy fee of £2 for sealed copies ordered at the same time as the main application. This is separate from the existing £16 charge for copies requested after the grant has already been issued.

What if I apply for probate myself?

Doing your own probate application means you pay only the HMCTS fee plus copy charges, with no professional fee layered on top. Our full breakdown of probate without a solicitor covers the PA1P and PA1A forms, the online and paper routes, and when DIY is not appropriate.

How much do solicitors charge for probate?

Solicitors use one of three fee structures for probate work: fixed fee, hourly rate, or a percentage of the estate, and firms advertising probate services must publish this pricing information under SRA rules. See probate solicitor fees explained for the full breakdown of each model.

How much does a probate valuation cost?

Property, shares, and personal possessions all need to be valued for inheritance tax and probate purposes, and the valuation method affects both cost and HMRC scrutiny. Our guide to probate valuation costs sets out what must be valued and how.

What does it cost if probate is contested?

Contesting probate involves separate court fees, such as the caveat fee, plus the risk of paying the other side's legal costs if you lose. The full cost and cost-risk picture is in our guide to the cost of contesting probate.

Realistic total cost ranges by scenario

Rather than quoting a single average, which obscures how much any individual estate will actually cost, it is more useful to add up the sourced components that apply to your situation. A straightforward estate handled without a solicitor currently totals the £300 application fee plus a small number of £16 copies, since the estate exceeds £5,000. An estate using a solicitor adds that firm's published fixed fee, hourly rate, or percentage charge on top of the same government fee. An estate requiring a professional valuation adds the valuer's fee before probate can even be applied for. From 13 July 2026, the government-fee component of every one of these scenarios rises by £226, from £300 to £526, regardless of which route you take.

Because professional fees are set individually by each firm rather than by government, this guide does not quote an invented average solicitor cost. The SRA's transparency rules require firms that advertise probate services to publish their own pricing, which is the only source that reflects what a specific firm will actually charge for your estate.

Is probate free if the estate is small?

Yes. If the gross value of the estate is £5,000 or less, no HMCTS application fee is payable, whether you apply for a grant of probate or letters of administration. This threshold is unaffected by the July 2026 fee changes, which apply only to estates above it.

Why is the probate fee increasing in July 2026?

The Ministry of Justice states the increase to £526 reflects the cost of delivering the probate service and ongoing investment in the digital probate system, as part of a wider set of court and tribunal fee changes taking effect on 13 July 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.

Do I have to pay the fee before I get the grant?

Yes. HMCTS will not issue a grant of probate or letters of administration until the application fee has been paid in full, whether you apply online or by post using form PA1P or PA1A.

How many copies of the grant do I need?

Most executors need one sealed copy for each organisation holding the deceased's assets, such as banks, pension providers, and the Land Registry. Ordering copies at the same time as the application currently costs £16 each, dropping to £2 each under the 13 July 2026 fee change, whereas ordering copies later remains £16 each.

Can I get help paying the probate fee?

Executors on a low income or certain benefits may qualify for the Help with Fees scheme, applied for online or using form EX160. This can reduce or waive the HMCTS application fee, though it does not cover the cost of extra copies.