Probate Fees Are Increasing

Probate Fees Are Increasing in the UK – What Does This Mean for Families?

From 13 July 2026 (subject to parliamentary approval), the cost of applying for probate in England and Wales is set to increase significantly, with the application fee rising from £300 to £526 for estates valued over £5,000.

This represents an increase of more than 75%, making it one of the largest rises to probate fees in recent years.

For families already dealing with the emotional and practical challenges of losing a loved one, this additional cost may come as an unwelcome surprise.

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of administering someone's estate after they have passed away. If the deceased owned property, held significant assets or had accounts in their sole name, the executor or administrator will often need a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no will) before they can deal with the estate.

Obtaining this grant is a key step in collecting assets, paying debts and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries. What Is Changing? The current probate application fee is £300 for estates worth more than £5,000.

Under the proposed changes, this will increase to £526 from 13 July 2026. Estates valued at £5,000 or below will continue to be exempt from the fee. There is one positive change alongside the increase. The cost of requesting copies of probate documents at the time of application is expected to reduce from £16 to £2, making it more affordable to obtain additional copies where needed.

Why Are Fees Increasing?

The Ministry of Justice has stated that the increase is intended to recover the cost of running the probate service, taking into account inflation and continued investment in improving and modernising the system.

However, the announcement has prompted concern from many legal professionals, who question whether such a substantial increase is justified while some families and practitioners still experience delays, particularly in more complex probate applications.

What Does This Mean for Executors?

The probate application fee is paid by the estate rather than the executor personally. However, in some situations, estate funds may not be immediately accessible because bank accounts are frozen until probate has been granted. This can mean executors need to pay the application fee upfront before reimbursing themselves once estate funds become available. With the fee increasing to £526, this could place additional financial pressure on some families. Can You Avoid the Increased Fee? If an estate is already ready for probate, it may be worth speaking with your solicitor or probate specialist as soon as possible to see whether an application can be submitted before the new fee comes into effect.

Every estate is different, so it's important not to rush the process if key information is still outstanding. Professional advice can help ensure the application is completed accurately while considering any relevant deadlines.

We're Here to Help

Administering an estate can feel overwhelming, particularly when you're coping with bereavement. Changes like these only add another layer of complexity. At Harrisons Private Client Solutions, we work alongside solicitors, executors and families to provide practical support throughout the estate administration process.

Whether you need assistance with locating assets, genealogy, property management, property inspections or preparing a property for sale, our team is here to help reduce the administrative burden at what can already be a difficult time. If you would like to find out more about how we can support you or your clients, please get in touch with our team.