Probate Fees Calculator

Q: Do I need probate if the estate is small?

Probate is not always required. Banks often release funds without probate if the amount is below their threshold (typically £5,000-£50,000). Joint assets pass automatically to the surviving owner. Assets in trust or with nominated beneficiaries bypass probate. However, if the deceased owned property in their sole name, you will almost certainly need probate.

Q: Can I apply for probate without a solicitor?

Yes. You can apply for probate online at GOV.UK or by post. DIY probate works well for simple estates with a valid will, UK-only assets, and no IHT liability. For complex estates, the cost of a solicitor is usually justified by the protection against costly mistakes.

Q: What is the difference between probate and letters of administration?

Grant of probate is issued when the deceased left a valid will naming executors. Letters of administration are issued when there is no valid will (intestacy). The next of kin can apply to become the administrator and distributes the estate according to intestacy rules. The fees are the same for both.

Calculate the total cost of obtaining probate in England and Wales for 2025/26. HMCTS application fee £300, grant copies £16 each, plus solicitor estimates. Compare DIY vs solicitor and plan your timeline.

Calculate the total cost of obtaining probate

Estate value

Total value of all assets (property, savings, investments, possessions)

Using a solicitor?

Toggle on to include estimated solicitor fees

Number of grant copies

One copy per bank/insurer/asset holder. Most estates need 5-10.

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How to Use This Calculator

Probate Costs tab

Enter the total estate value (property, savings, investments, and possessions). Toggle whether you plan to use a solicitor, and select how many sealed copies of the grant you need. The calculator shows the HMCTS application fee, copy costs, estimated solicitor fees if applicable, and the total cost as a percentage of the estate.

DIY vs Solicitor tab

Answer four yes/no questions about the estate: does it include property, is Inheritance Tax due, is there a valid will, and are there foreign assets? The calculator scores the complexity and recommends whether DIY probate is suitable or whether you should consider professional help. It also shows how much you could save by handling probate yourself.

Timeline & Checklist tab

Select the estate complexity (simple, moderate, or complex) to see an estimated timeline from application to distribution, plus a step-by-step checklist of everything the executor needs to do. Use this as a planning guide to stay on track.

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The Formula

Probate costs in England and Wales are calculated as follows:

Application Fee = £300 (if estate > £5,000) or £0 (if estate ≤ £5,000)

Copy Fees = Number of copies × £16 per sealed copy

Solicitor Fee = £2,000–£5,000 (simple) or 1–2% of estate (complex)

Total Cost = Application Fee + Copy Fees + Solicitor Fee (if used)

The application fee is set by HMCTS and has been £300 since 2019. Estates valued at £5,000 or below are exempt. The copy fee increased from £1.50 to £16 per copy in November 2025. You need one sealed copy for each organisation holding assets (banks, insurers, pension providers, Land Registry). Solicitor fees are not regulated and vary significantly — always get quotes from multiple firms.

Example

James — executor for his mother’s estate worth £350,000

James’s mother left a valid will naming him as sole executor. The estate includes a house worth £250,000, savings of £80,000, and personal possessions worth £20,000. There is no Inheritance Tax due because the estate is within the nil-rate band (£325,000) plus the residence nil-rate band (£175,000) as the house passes to James (a direct descendant).

Option A: DIY probate

Application fee£300

Grant copies (5 × £16)£80

Total cost£380

Cost as % of estate0.11%

Option B: Using a solicitor

Application fee£300

Grant copies (5 × £16)£80

Solicitor fee (estimate)£2,000–£5,000

Total cost£2,380–£5,380

Cost as % of estate0.68%–1.54%

James’s decision

The estate is relatively straightforward: a valid will, one property, no IHT, and all UK assets. James decides to apply for probate himself using the GOV.UK online service, saving £2,000–£5,000 in solicitor fees. The process takes about 4 months from application to distributing the estate.

FAQ

How much does probate cost in the UK? ▼

The HMCTS probate application fee is £300 for estates valued over £5,000 (free if £5,000 or below). Each sealed copy of the grant costs £16 (increased from £1.50 in November 2025). Most estates order 5-10 copies. If you use a solicitor, expect to pay £2,000–£5,000 for a simple estate or 1–2% of the estate value for complex cases. The total cost of probate therefore ranges from £380 (DIY with 5 copies) to several thousand pounds with professional help.

Do I need probate if the estate is small? ▼

Probate is not always required. Banks and building societies often release funds without probate if the amount is below their threshold (typically £5,000–£50,000, varying by institution). Joint assets pass automatically to the surviving owner. Assets held in trust or with nominated beneficiaries (such as pensions and life insurance) also bypass probate. However, if the deceased owned property or had significant assets in their sole name, you will almost certainly need a grant of probate (or letters of administration if there is no will).

How long does probate take? ▼

HMCTS aims to process straightforward probate applications within 8 weeks of receiving the complete application. However, the total time from death to distributing the estate is much longer. For a simple estate, expect 4–8 months. For moderate estates with property, 8–12 months. Complex estates involving IHT, trusts, or foreign assets can take 12–24 months. Delays can occur if forms are incomplete, if HMRC queries the IHT return, or if beneficiaries dispute the will.

Can I apply for probate without a solicitor? ▼

Yes. You can apply for probate online at GOV.UK or by post using form PA1P (with a will) or PA1A (without a will). The online application is straightforward and takes about an hour to complete. DIY probate works well for simple estates with a valid will, UK-only assets, and no IHT liability. The main risks of DIY are making errors on IHT forms (which can lead to penalties) and missing debts or beneficiaries. For complex estates, the cost of a solicitor is usually justified by the protection against costly mistakes.

What is the difference between probate and letters of administration? ▼

Grant of probate is issued when the deceased left a valid will naming executors. The executors apply for probate and carry out the wishes in the will. Letters of administration are issued when there is no valid will (intestacy). The next of kin (usually a spouse or civil partner, then children) can apply to become the administrator. The administrator distributes the estate according to the intestacy rules, not personal wishes. The application process and fees are the same for both — £300 for estates over £5,000. The key difference is who has the legal authority to act and how the estate is divided.

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