DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does probate cost in the UK?
Probate is the process of dealing with someone's estate after they die, and the cost ranges from very little to a lot depending on who does the work. Executors can often apply themselves for close to the court fee alone, while a solicitor charges a good deal more, sometimes as a percentage of the estate rather than for the hours actually spent. The real prices below show what people have actually paid, not a list price or an estimate from a website. This is general information, not legal advice.
The quick version
- Probate can be done yourself for little more than the court application fee, or handed to a solicitor for a much larger fee.
- Solicitors price probate in different ways, a percentage of the estate, a fixed fee, or an hourly rate, and the percentage method can be by far the most expensive for the same amount of work.
- The court's probate application fee is a separate charge from anything a solicitor bills, so ask for the two figures separately before you agree anything.
- A simple estate with a clear will is often manageable by the executors, while inheritance tax, a property sale, or a family dispute make professional help more worthwhile.
- Where there is no will, the estate follows the intestacy rules, which usually makes the process longer and dearer because of the extra work in establishing who inherits.
- Getting more than one quote matters here, because two firms can quote very different sums for the same estate depending on how they bill.
What people actually paid
Where these 10 prices come from — 5 named sources
Each is a published price list, an official survey, or a receipt/quote a reader shared. The full per-price list with year and area is on the probate page.
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 13% less than the advertised list price for probate.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £20,000“We paid £20k on my Aunts £125k estate”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The main lever is how the solicitor bills. A percentage of the estate can cost thousands on a valuable estate even when the work is simple, because the charge tracks the size of the assets rather than the hours spent, whereas a fixed fee tracks the actual job. Who you use also matters. A high street solicitor, a national probate firm and a bank's probate service can all quote differently for the same estate, and larger firms with more overheads tend to price at the higher end. Location plays a part too, with firms in more expensive areas generally charging more than those elsewhere. Beyond pricing structure, the complexity of the estate drives everything: inheritance tax to calculate, a property to sell, a business, foreign assets or a family dispute all add hours and cost. An estate with a clear will and a handful of bank accounts is straightforward, while dying without a will means working out who inherits under the intestacy rules, which takes longer and adds cost. Whether the executors take some of the work on themselves, such as gathering paperwork or valuing assets, also changes the final bill.
How to pay less
- Ask whether the executors can apply for probate themselves, since a straightforward estate may only need the court application fee and none of the solicitor's charge.
- If you use a solicitor, ask for a fixed fee rather than a percentage of the estate. A percentage fee can cost far more for the same job on a valuable estate.
- Get the billing method in writing before work starts, and for an hourly rate ask for an estimate of the total hours and what happens if it runs over.
- Compare a few firms rather than going with the first one you speak to, since probate charges vary widely for the same job.
- Keep clear records of the estate's assets, debts and paperwork from the start, because organised information cuts the hours a solicitor needs to bill.
- Ask directly whether any of the fee is a percentage of the estate value, since some firms only mention this once you push for it.
Common questions
Do I have to use a solicitor for probate?
No. Executors can apply for the grant of probate themselves and administer the estate, paying only the court application fee. Many people do this for a simple estate with a clear will and a handful of accounts. A solicitor is worth considering when there is inheritance tax to work out, property to sell, a business, foreign assets or any dispute. This is general information, not legal advice.
Why is percentage-based probate so expensive?
Some firms charge a percentage of the estate's value rather than for the work actually done. On a valuable estate that can run into thousands even when the administration is straightforward, because the fee tracks the assets, not the effort involved. Asking for a fixed fee instead often saves a large amount, so it is worth comparing before you commit to a firm.
What happens if there is no will?
The estate is shared out under the intestacy rules, which set a fixed order of who inherits. Working out who is entitled and getting the right person appointed to administer the estate usually takes longer and costs more than when there is a clear will. It is one of the reasons people write a will in the first place.
Is the court application fee the same everywhere?
The court fee for the grant of probate is a fixed charge separate from anything a solicitor bills you. It does not change depending on which firm you use or how they price their own work, so when comparing quotes make sure you are comparing the solicitor's fee alone, not a total that bundles the two together.
How do I know if my estate needs professional help?
A simple estate, meaning a clear will, no inheritance tax to pay, and assets that are mostly cash in bank accounts, is often manageable by executors on their own. Property to sell, a business, assets abroad, or any disagreement between beneficiaries all make the process harder and are the point where a solicitor's fee tends to be worth paying.
Can I switch solicitors partway through if the fee feels too high?
Yes, though it is far better to agree the billing method and get an estimate in writing before instructing a firm. If you already feel a percentage-based fee is running away from you, ask the firm to put the remaining work on a fixed fee or move to another provider, but expect to pay for the work already done before you leave.