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Everyday Life · 2025/26 fees

Probate Fees Calculator

Probate is the legal right to deal with someone’s estate after they die. Estates over £5,000 pay a flat £300 application fee — plus £1.50 for each extra sealed copy of the grant.

£

Total value of property, savings and possessions before debts.

copies

Total to pay

£304.5

Includes the £300 application fee plus copies.

Breakdown

  • Application fee
    Flat fee above £5,000
    £300
  • Sealed copies
    £1.50 each
    £5
  • Total payable
    £305

How we calculated your result

Estates worth £5,000 or less pay nothing. Above £5,000 it’s a flat £300, regardless of estate size. Extra sealed copies of the grant cost £1.50 each — useful for sending to banks, registrars and pension providers in parallel.

Official UK rules in simple English

  • Same £300 fee whether you apply yourself (PA1P/PA1A) or through a solicitor.
  • Solicitor’s own fees are separate and not regulated.
  • Fee waivers are available if paying causes financial hardship (form EX160).
  • Excepted estates with no IHT due can be applied for online.

Common pitfalls to watch out for

  • ⚠ Order enough copies up-front

    Banks and pension providers usually want their own sealed copy. Getting more later means another application.

  • ⚠ Estate value ≠ IHT value

    The probate fee is based on the gross estate before debts. IHT uses a different (net) calculation.

  • ⚠ Joint assets bypass probate

    Anything held as joint tenants passes automatically and doesn’t count towards the probate threshold.

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need probate?
Not always — small estates or those held entirely in joint names may not need it. Banks set their own thresholds (usually £5,000–£50,000).
How long does probate take?
Around 16 weeks from a complete online application in 2025. Paper or complex estates can take 6+ months.
Can I pay the fee from the estate?
Yes — most banks release funds directly to the Probate Registry to cover the fee before the grant is issued.

Fees current as of April 2025. Check gov.uk/applying-for-probate for the latest figures before applying.

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