Reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic
Founder, WebCalculator
Court fees per gov.uk/applying-for-probate. Solicitor fees and disbursements are typical ranges — always get a written quote. Not legal advice.
This probate cost calculator estimates the total expense of obtaining a grant of probate in England and Wales, including the court application fee, solicitor charges and common disbursements. Enter the estate value and how you plan to handle the application to get a clear breakdown of likely costs.
Court fee + solicitor + disbursements
Probate is the legal process of proving a will and getting the authority to deal with a deceased person's estate. Even for straightforward estates, there are three main cost components: the court application fee, any solicitor or professional fees, and disbursements (third-party charges like valuations and statutory notices).
All probate costs are paid from the estate itself, not from the executor's personal funds (though executors often need to advance the court fee before estate funds are released). The costs are deducted before inheritance tax is calculated on the net estate and before assets are distributed to beneficiaries.
The probate court (now part of HM Courts and Tribunals Service) charges a flat fee regardless of estate complexity:
| Estate value | Court fee |
|---|---|
| £5,000 or less | £0 |
| Over £5,000 | £300 |
Each extra sealed copy of the grant costs £1.50. You typically need 3 to 6 copies — one for each bank, insurer, the Land Registry, and one to keep. Source: gov.uk/applying-for-probate.
Solicitors typically charge for probate in one of three ways:
Fixed fee: A set price for the entire probate process. Common range: £1,500 to £5,000 plus VAT for a standard estate. Best for straightforward estates with no disputes or complex assets.
Percentage of estate: Usually 1% to 2% of the gross estate value plus VAT. On a £500,000 estate at 1.5%, that is £7,500 plus £1,500 VAT = £9,000. This method can be expensive for high-value but simple estates.
Hourly rate: Typically £150 to £350 per hour. Harder to predict total cost, but can be cheaper for simple estates or more expensive for complex ones. Always ask for a time estimate in writing.
| Disbursement | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Statutory notices (The Gazette + local paper) | £150 – £300 |
| Land Registry searches | £3 – £6 per title |
| Bankruptcy searches | £2 per beneficiary |
| Property valuation (RICS) | £250 – £500 |
| Asset tracing (if needed) | £100+ |
Total disbursements for a typical estate with one property run to about £300 to £500.
Court fee: £300 (estate over £5,000)
Extra copies: 4 × £1.50 = £6
Solicitor fee: £2,500 (fixed quote)
VAT on solicitor: £2,500 × 20% = £500
Disbursements: ~£350 (notices + searches)
Total: £3,656 — about 1.04% of the estate.
Doing the application yourself would reduce the cost to £300 + £6 + ~£200 in notices and searches = roughly £506.
You can apply for probate yourself online at gov.uk. The process involves filling in the probate application form (PA1P with a will, PA1A without), submitting the original will, and paying the court fee. For estates with no IHT liability, no disputes, and no complex assets (trusts, overseas property, business interests), DIY probate is entirely feasible and saves hundreds or thousands of pounds.
Consider instructing a solicitor if the estate includes inheritance tax to pay, a property in negative equity, business assets requiring valuation, multiple beneficiaries who disagree, or assets held in trust.
Use the inheritance tax calculator to estimate IHT on the estate before deducting probate costs. The inheritance tax gift calculator shows how lifetime gifts affect the estate. For property-related costs after death, the stamp duty calculator covers any new purchases by beneficiaries.
The court application fee for a grant of probate is £300 for estates valued over £5,000, or £0 for estates under £5,000. Extra sealed copies cost £1.50 each. Solicitor fees vary widely, typically from £1,500 to £5,000 or more for complex estates. Some solicitors charge a percentage of the estate value, commonly 1% to 2% plus VAT.
You are not legally required to use a solicitor. Many executors apply for probate themselves using the gov.uk online service and pay only the court fee. However, a solicitor may be worthwhile for complex estates involving property, trusts, inheritance tax or disputes between beneficiaries.
A straightforward application typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from submission to receiving the grant. If the estate is subject to inheritance tax, HMRC processing can add several more weeks. Disputed estates or those requiring corrective accounts can take 6 to 12 months or longer.
If the total estate value is £5,000 or less, the court application fee is £0. Many financial institutions also release small sums without requiring a formal grant of probate, using their own small estates thresholds which typically range from £5,000 to £50,000.
Probate (a grant of probate) is issued when the deceased left a valid will and named executors. Letters of administration are issued when there is no will or no appointed executor. The court application fee and process are the same for both.
Yes. All reasonable probate costs, including the court fee, solicitor fees, valuation fees, and disbursements, are legitimate estate administration expenses. They are paid from the estate before assets are distributed to beneficiaries and before inheritance tax is calculated on the net estate.
Yes. You almost always need a grant of probate or letters of administration before you can sell a property owned by the deceased. The Land Registry requires the grant before it will register a change of ownership. Some conveyancers will begin marketing before the grant arrives, but completion cannot take place without it.
Disbursements are third-party costs the solicitor pays on your behalf during the probate process. Common disbursements include Land Registry searches, statutory advertisement notices in The Gazette and local newspapers to protect against unknown creditors, bankruptcy searches, and property valuations. These typically add £200 to £500 to the total bill.