Last Updated: 24 August 2026 I Reading Time: 6 minutes
Summary
The cost of applying for probate has increased significantly. Since 13 July 2026, the probate application fee has risen from £300 to £526 for estates valued at more than £5,000 – a 75% increase. Estates worth £5,000 or less remain exempt from the application fee.
The Ministry of Justice says the increase reflects inflation and investment in improving and modernising the probate service. However, the rise has prompted concerns about whether families will see sufficient improvements in the service to justify the additional cost.
For executors already dealing with the practical and emotional challenges of administering an estate, understanding the new fee, and the wider probate process, is important.
Quick answer
The probate application fee increased from £300 to £526 on 13 July 2026 for estates worth more than £5,000. Estates valued at £5,000 or less do not pay the application fee. The increase means families may now face higher upfront costs when applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Executors may also be able to apply for help with court fees if they meet the relevant financial criteria.
In this article
- What has changed with probate fees?
- How much does probate cost in 2026?
- Why have probate fees increased?
- Who has to pay the new fee?
- What if the estate cannot afford the fee?
- What other probate costs should families consider?
- How can executors avoid unnecessary delays?
- How GLP Solicitors can help
Key takeaways
- The probate application fee increased from £300 to £526 on 13 July 2026.
- The increase represents a 75% rise in the application fee.
- Estates worth £5,000 or less remain exempt from the probate application fee.
- The new £526 fee is a flat application fee, rather than a percentage of the estate’s value.
- The fee applies when applying for a Grant of Probate and relevant applications for Letters of Administration.
- Extra copies of probate documents requested at the same time as the application now cost £2 each, down from £16.
- People on a low income or certain benefits may be able to get help with court fees.
- The probate application fee is only one part of the potential cost of administering an estate.
What has changed with probate fees in 2026?
From 13 July 2026, the probate application fee increased from £300 to £526 for estates valued at more than £5,000.
That represents a 75% increase in the cost of making the application. The change forms part of wider changes to HM Courts & Tribunals Service fees introduced in July 2026.
The Government says the new fee is intended to reflect the cost of providing and improving the probate service, including investment in a more efficient and modern service.
For families dealing with a bereavement, however, an additional £226 can be another expense at an already difficult time.
How much is probate now?
The current application fees are:
| Estate value | Probate application fee |
|---|---|
| £5,000 or less | £0 |
| More than £5,000 | £526 |
The £526 charge is a flat fee, meaning the amount does not increase simply because the estate is worth more.
For example, an estate worth £100,000 and an estate worth £1 million would both attract the same £526 application fee, assuming the relevant probate application is required.
Why have probate fees increased?
The Ministry of Justice says the increase is intended to:
- account for inflation;
- recover the cost of providing the probate service; and
- support investment in an efficient and modernised service.
The Law Society has acknowledged the need to fund improvements to the probate service but has questioned the increase and called for clear and sustained improvements to justify the higher fee.
This matters because the cost of probate is not just about the application fee. Families can also face professional fees, Inheritance Tax, property-related costs and other expenses while an estate is being administered.
Does everyone have to pay the £526 probate fee?
No.
If the estate is valued at £5,000 or less, there is currently no probate application fee.
For estates worth more than £5,000, the application fee is £526.
There are also circumstances where an individual may be able to receive help with court fees because of their financial circumstances.
Can you get help paying the probate fee?
If you have a low income or receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for help with court fees through the Government’s Help with Fees scheme.
The application can be made online or using form EX160 before applying for probate. Eligibility depends on your financial circumstances.
This can be particularly important where an executor is dealing with an estate that does not have readily available cash.
What if there isn’t enough money in the estate to pay the fee?
This can be a practical problem for executors.
An estate may contain valuable assets such as a house or investments but have very little money immediately available in a bank account.
The executor may therefore need to consider how the probate application and other estate administration expenses will be funded before assets can be accessed or sold.
The right approach will depend on the circumstances of the estate. Where there are complications, getting advice early can help an executor understand what options may be available.
What other costs can arise when dealing with probate?
The £526 application fee is not the total cost of administering an estate.
Depending on the circumstances, an estate may also involve:
- Inheritance Tax;
- professional legal or accountancy fees;
- property valuation and sale costs;
- investment or financial advice;
- funeral expenses;
- debts owed by the deceased;
- property maintenance and insurance;
- Land Registry or other administrative costs; and
- additional probate applications or documents.
The overall cost can therefore vary considerably from one estate to another.
Copies of probate documents are now cheaper when ordered with the application
There is one change that reduces a cost.
If additional copies of probate documents are ordered at the same time as the probate application, they now cost £2 each, rather than £16.
This can be useful where banks, insurers, investment providers or other organisations each require evidence of the grant.
Does the probate fee depend on the size of the estate?
No.
For estates above £5,000, the current probate application fee is £526 regardless of the value of the estate.
So an estate worth £50,000 and an estate worth £500,000 would generally face the same application fee.
This is different from some other estate-related taxes and costs, which can depend on the value or nature of the assets involved.
What is probate and when is it needed?
Probate is the legal process of dealing with a person’s estate after they die.
Where someone left a valid Will, the executors named in it may need to apply for a Grant of Probate. The grant gives them the legal authority to deal with certain assets belonging to the deceased.
Where someone dies without a Will, the process is generally different and the person dealing with the estate may need to apply for Letters of Administration.
Whether a grant is required depends on the assets involved and how they are held.
For example, some assets may be able to pass without a grant, while others may require the personal representatives to obtain one before they can be dealt with.
Why getting the probate application right matters
A probate application is not simply a case of completing a form and paying the fee.
Executors may need to:
- Find the deceased’s Will.
- Identify the assets and liabilities.
- Establish the value of the estate.
- Determine whether Inheritance Tax is due.
- Provide the required information to HMRC where applicable.
- Apply for the appropriate grant.
- Deal with banks, pension providers and other organisations.
- Pay debts and liabilities.
- Deal with property and other assets.
- Distribute the estate to the beneficiaries.
Errors or missing information can cause applications to be stopped or delayed.
The Law Society continues to highlight the importance of avoiding common issues with probate applications and provides updates on HMCTS processing.
What should executors do if they are unsure?
If you have been named as an executor and are unsure what you need to do, you do not necessarily have to deal with everything alone.
Professional advice can help you understand:
- whether probate is required;
- what information you need to collect;
- whether Inheritance Tax may be relevant;
- what forms need to be completed;
- how to deal with estate assets and liabilities; and
- how the estate should ultimately be distributed.
This can be particularly valuable where the estate involves a property, significant investments, business interests, overseas assets or complicated family circumstances.
Are probate delays still a concern?
Probate service performance has improved from some of the significant delays experienced in previous years, but delays can still have practical consequences for families.
In a House of Lords written answer dated 30 July 2026, the Government stated that probate grants took approximately five weeks to be issued after an application was submitted during January to March 2026.
The same answer confirmed that the Government currently has no plans to extend the existing six-month deadline for paying Inheritance Tax before late-payment interest begins to accrue.
This is an important point for executors: probate and Inheritance Tax are connected, but they operate on different timescales.
Where Inheritance Tax is potentially payable, executors should not simply wait for the Grant of Probate before considering their tax obligations.
How GLP Solicitors can help
Dealing with an estate can be complicated, particularly when you are also dealing with the loss of someone close to you.
GLP Solicitors can provide practical legal advice on Wills and probate, helping executors understand their responsibilities and navigate the administration of an estate.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include assistance with:
- applying for probate;
- administering an estate;
- identifying and dealing with estate assets;
- dealing with debts and liabilities;
- distributing assets to beneficiaries; and
- addressing more complex issues that arise during estate administration.
Getting advice early can help you understand what needs to be done and avoid unnecessary complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
From 13 July 2026, the probate application fee is £526 for estates worth more than £5,000. Estates worth £5,000 or less do not currently have to pay the application fee. The fee is a flat charge rather than a percentage of the estate’s value.
The Ministry of Justice says the increase reflects inflation and the cost of maintaining and improving the probate service, including investment in a more efficient and modern service. The Law Society has called for clear and sustained improvements to the service to justify the increase.
The new probate application fee came into effect on 13 July 2026. Before that date, the application fee for estates above the relevant threshold was £300. From 13 July, it became £526.
No. There is currently no probate application fee where the estate is valued at £5,000 or less. If the estate is worth more than £5,000, the application fee is £526.
The probate application fee is normally paid when the application is made. In practice, an executor may need to consider how the fee and other administration costs will be funded where estate funds cannot yet be accessed. The circumstances can vary, so executors facing difficulties should consider obtaining advice.
Possibly. The Government’s Help with Fees scheme may assist people on a low income or receiving certain benefits. Eligibility depends on your financial circumstances, and an application can be made online or using form EX160.
Processing times can vary depending on the circumstances of the estate and whether the application is complete. Government figures cited in a House of Lords answer state that probate grants took approximately five weeks after application during January to March 2026. More complicated estates can take considerably longer overall because estate administration involves much more than obtaining the grant.
Not always. Some people can apply for probate themselves. However, professional advice may be useful where an estate is complicated, there are tax issues, property or business assets, disputes between beneficiaries, uncertainty about the Will, or other legal difficulties. A solicitor can also assist with the wider administration of the estate.
Related Services
If you are dealing with the estate of someone who has died, you may also find GLP Solicitors’ services relevant: