What costs may be involved?

When you are grieving, money can be the last thing you want to think about. But knowing what costs may come up can help you plan and avoid surprises. In most cases, these costs are paid from the estate rather than by you personally.

The probate application fee

At the time of writing (October 2026), GOV.UK states:

• the application fee is £526 if the estate is worth more than £5,000
• there is no fee if the estate is worth £5,000 or less
• extra official copies of the grant cost £2 each if ordered with your application
• extra copies ordered later cost £16 each

Extra copies can be useful, because several banks or organisations may want to see the grant at the same time.

Help with fees

If you have a low income or receive certain benefits, you may be able to get help with the application fee. GOV.UK says that if you apply online, you pay the full fee first and get a refund later if your help with fees application succeeds. Help is not available for the cost of extra copies.

Professional fees

If you ask a solicitor or other professional to help, they will charge for their work. Fees vary widely. They depend on how complex the estate is and how much work you want them to do. Common ways of charging include:

• a fixed fee for a set piece of work, such as a grant-only service
• hourly rates
• a percentage of the estate's value
• a mix of these

Always ask for a written estimate and what it includes. Ask what could make the cost go up. Our article on grant-only and full administration services explains how the level of help affects the work involved.

Other costs that may arise

• Valuation fees. For example, a surveyor's valuation of a property, or valuing jewellery or antiques.
• Property costs. Insurance for an empty home, council tax, utility bills, maintenance and estate agent and conveyancing fees if the home is sold.
• Notices to creditors. Executors often place a notice in The Gazette and sometimes a local paper, to protect themselves against unknown debts.
• Searches and tracing. For example, searching for lost assets or tracing missing beneficiaries.
• Funeral costs. Usually paid from the estate. Some banks will release money directly to pay a funeral bill.

Inheritance Tax

Inheritance Tax is not a probate fee, but it may affect the estate. At the time of writing, the standard rate is 40% on the part of an estate above the £325,000 threshold. GOV.UK notes that most estates are not taxed, because of the threshold and exemptions such as gifts to a spouse, civil partner or charity.

Where tax is due, GOV.UK says it must be paid by the end of the sixth month after the death to avoid interest. Some tax often needs to be paid before the grant is issued. Our guide to Inheritance Tax explains more.

A practical example

Asha is executor for her mother, whose estate is a home and some savings worth well over £5,000. She pays the probate fee and orders four extra copies of the grant with the application. She also pays for a property valuation and insurance while the house is empty. All of these are reimbursed from the estate before the beneficiaries are paid.

Keeping track

Keep receipts for everything you pay on behalf of the estate. Executors can usually be repaid reasonable expenses from the estate, but they should be recorded in the estate accounts.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

This article covers England and Wales. In Scotland, the equivalent of probate is called "confirmation" and it works differently. Northern Ireland has its own probate office and rules. See the mygov.scot bereavement pages or nidirect's guide to applying for probate. At present we cannot reliably route enquiries from Scotland or Northern Ireland.

When to get professional help

A professional may be helpful if Inheritance Tax is due, if the estate is complex, or if you are worried about personal liability. Before instructing anyone, ask how they charge, check their regulation and insurance, and make sure you understand what is included. If you need to collect paperwork first, see our probate documents checklist.

Next steps

We do not charge you for an introduction, and any professional must explain their own fees before you agree to anything.

You can read more on our Probate page, or answer a few short questions in our probate questionnaire and we will aim to introduce you to up to three appropriately qualified firms.

WillHarbour is an independent introduction service, not a law firm, and we do not give legal, tax or financial advice. With your permission, we share your enquiry with up to three suitable firms, such as solicitors or other firms that help with estates. It is free to use and there is no obligation. The firms pay us a fee for each introduction, and they must tell you about this, and their own fees, before you instruct them.