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. The real prices below show what people have actually paid. 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 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.
- The court's probate application fee is a separate charge from anything a solicitor bills.
- A simple estate with a clear will is often manageable by the executors, while inheritance tax, property or disputes make professional help more worthwhile.
- Where there is no will, the estate follows the intestacy rules, which usually makes things longer and dearer.
What people actually paid
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, because a percentage of the estate can cost thousands on a valuable estate even when the work is simple, whereas a fixed fee tracks the actual job. Beyond that, 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 sorting out who inherits under the intestacy rules, which takes longer. Whether the executors take some of the work on themselves 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.
- If you use a solicitor, ask for a fixed fee rather than a percentage of the estate, which can cost far more for the same work.
- Get the billing method in writing, and for an hourly rate ask for an estimate of the total hours.
- Compare a few firms, as probate charges vary widely for the same job.
- Keep clear records of the estate's assets and debts, because organised paperwork cuts the hours a solicitor needs to bill.
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. 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. Asking for a fixed fee instead often saves a large amount, so it is worth comparing before you commit.
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 it 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.