Probate fee increase

In order to obtain a Grant of Representation from the Probate Registry (which includes a Grant of Probate), an application fee must be paid. The application fee is currently a flat fee of £155 if a Solicitor makes the application or £215 if the application is not made through a Solicitor. If the estate is under £5,000, there is no fee.

From April 2019, the fee system will change and there will be a sliding scale linked to the value of the estate. Estates under £50,000 will be exempt from paying the fee with estates over £2,000,000 having to fork out a staggering £6,000. The fee increase has been widely opposed  and has been dubbed a “stealth tax”. It is thought that the fee is disproportionate to the Probate Registry’s actual costs which regardless of the size of the estate, are the same.  

The probate fee is not the only fee subject to an increase. The General Register Office has increased the fee to obtain a death certificate online from £4 to £11 and this has been criticised by the Law Society President, Christina Blacklaws, who in light of the probate fee increase has said, “it seems unfair to raise the cost of death certificates as well”.

Obtaining death certificates and applying for a Grant of Representation (“Probate”) are just two aspects of administering an estate. At Emery Johnson Astills, we can assist you with the administration of an estate from start to finish.

If you would like information about our Probate Pricing, click visit our Probate Pricing page. 

If you would like more information about Probate or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Emery Johnson Astills on 0116 2554855 (Leicester) or 01509 610 312 (Loughborough) and a Solicitor in our Wills and Probate Team will be happy to assist you.