The cost of applying for probate in England and Wales is expected to increase significantly from 13 July 2026. The probate application fee is set to rise from £300 to £526, increasing the upfront cost faced by executors and administrators responsible for dealing with a deceased person's estate. At the same time, the fee for ordering additional copies of a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration alongside the original application is expected to fall from £16 to £2 per copy. However, copies requested after the application has been completed are expected to remain considerably more expensive. These changes will make early planning particularly important. Personal representatives will need to consider not only how the increased application fee will be funded, but also how many official copies of the grant may be required to administer the estate efficiently. This guide explains what is changing, who will be affected and what executors and administrators should consider before submitting a probate application.
Probate is the legal authority needed to deal with certain assets belonging to someone who has died. Where there is a valid will, the executor usually applies for a Grant of Probate. Where there is no valid will, an eligible person may instead apply for Letters of Administration and act as the estate's administrator.
The Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration confirms that the personal representative has authority to collect estate assets, deal with property, settle liabilities and distribute the remaining estate to the correct beneficiaries.
A fee is generally payable when the application is submitted. The fee relates to the issuing of the grant and is separate from other estate administration costs, such as property valuations, inheritance tax, professional fees or expenses associated with selling a property.
The probate application fee is expected to increase to £526 from 13 July 2026. Until the change takes effect, the fee remains £300 for estates valued at more than £5,000, while no application fee is payable for estates valued at £5,000 or less.
The increase from £300 to £526 represents a rise of more than 75%. It also follows an earlier increase in May 2024, when the fee rose from £273 to £300. Taken together, these changes mean the cost of applying for probate will have almost doubled in just over two years.
The Ministry of Justice has said that the new fee is intended to recover the cost of delivering the probate service while accounting for inflation and investment in a more efficient and modern system.
However, the change will still represent a substantial additional cost for bereaved families and personal representatives, particularly where the estate has limited cash available at the beginning of the administration process.
The probate application is normally made by the executor named in the will or, where there is no will, by the administrator entitled to deal with the estate.
The application fee is an estate administration expense and can usually be reimbursed from the estate. However, estate funds may not be immediately accessible. Bank accounts held solely in the deceased person's name are often frozen after the death, and financial institutions may require the grant before releasing substantial funds.
This can create a short-term funding issue. An executor or administrator may need to pay the fee personally before recovering the money from the estate once assets become available.
The higher £526 fee may therefore place additional pressure on personal representatives dealing with estates that contain valuable assets but little accessible cash. A common example is an estate in which most of the value is tied up in the deceased's home.
Before applying, it is sensible to identify what liquid funds are available and whether any financial institution is prepared to release money towards probate, inheritance tax or other estate expenses.
Under the existing structure, no probate application fee is payable where the estate is valued at £5,000 or less. However, the value of an estate is not the only factor determining whether probate is required.
Some estates worth more than £5,000 can be administered without a grant because the assets are held jointly or fall below the individual release thresholds used by banks and other institutions. Conversely, a grant may be required to deal with a particular asset even where the overall estate is relatively modest.
Each financial institution sets its own requirements. Executors should therefore check with every bank, investment provider and asset holder before deciding whether probate is necessary.
Where the deceased owned property in their sole name, probate or Letters of Administration will usually be needed before the property can be sold or transferred.
The cost of additional official copies is also expected to change from 13 July 2026.
At present, additional copies ordered with a probate application cost £16 each. Under the new fee structure, copies requested at the same time as the original application are expected to cost £2 each.
This is a significant reduction and will make it less expensive to obtain several copies at the beginning of the process. However, timing is crucial. Additional copies requested after the probate application has been completed are expected to remain £16 each.
Executors and administrators should therefore consider how many organisations may require an official copy before submitting the application. Ordering enough copies at the outset could reduce both costs and delays later in the administration.
There is no standard number of copies that will be right for every estate. The amount required will depend on how many organisations hold the deceased person's assets and whether those organisations need to retain an official copy while processing instructions.
Banks, building societies, pension providers, insurance companies, share registrars and investment providers may ask to see the grant. It may also be required when dealing with National Savings and Investments, leasehold management companies, local authorities or a property owned solely by the deceased.
Having several copies can allow the personal representative to contact multiple organisations at the same time. Without enough copies, they may have to wait for one institution to return a document before sending it to another, potentially extending the administration process.
It is important not to order copies without first reviewing the estate. Executors should identify the relevant institutions, ask what documentation each requires and then order a sensible number when the application is submitted.
The most immediate effect will be the increased upfront cost of obtaining the grant. Although the fee can normally be treated as an estate expense, someone may still need to fund it before estate money becomes accessible.
The reduction in the cost of additional copies provides an opportunity to save money, but only where the personal representative plans ahead. A failure to order enough copies with the original application could result in higher costs later.
These changes make the early stages of estate administration increasingly important. Before applying, the personal representative should have a clear understanding of the estate's assets, liabilities, ownership arrangements and the organisations that will need to see the grant.
Submitting the application before the fee change may appear attractive, but it should not be rushed. The estate must still be valued correctly, the inheritance tax position considered and the right person identified to apply. An incomplete or inaccurate application may cause delays and create more serious problems than the fee increase itself.
The probate application fee is a court fee and does not include legal advice or assistance with administering the estate.
Applying for the grant is only one part of estate administration. Executors and administrators may also need to value assets, report the estate for inheritance tax purposes, settle debts, deal with income or capital gains tax, sell property, prepare estate accounts and distribute inheritance.
The increased court fee should therefore not be confused with the cost of professional probate support. Where a solicitor is instructed, their fees will depend on the work required and the complexity of the estate.
Some families only require assistance preparing and submitting the probate application. Others prefer a solicitor to manage the full estate administration process. The appropriate level of support will depend on the assets involved and the personal representative's confidence in carrying out the role.
Executors and administrators dealing with a recent death should first establish whether probate is required.
They should then locate the original will, identify who is entitled to apply and begin obtaining accurate values for all assets and liabilities.
The inheritance tax position must also be considered before the application is finalised. Where inheritance tax is payable, additional reporting and payment requirements may apply before the probate application can proceed.
If the application will be submitted on or after 13 July 2026, the estate should budget for the expected £526 fee.
The personal representative should also identify how many official copies are likely to be needed and request them at the application stage to benefit from the expected £2 fee.
Careful preparation remains the best way to reduce avoidable costs and delays. The probate application should only be submitted once the necessary information is complete and accurate.
The proposed probate fee changes represent a significant increase in the cost of obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. From 13 July 2026, the main application fee is expected to rise from £300 to £526, subject to parliamentary approval.
Although the cost of additional copies requested alongside the application is expected to fall to £2 each, copies ordered later are expected to remain at £16. Executors and administrators will therefore need to assess the estate carefully and decide how many copies are required before submitting the application.
The higher fee may create short-term cash flow pressure where estate funds cannot yet be accessed. However, it remains an expense of administering the estate and can normally be recovered once funds are released.
Probate involves more than paying an application fee. Personal representatives carry legal responsibility for valuing the estate, dealing with tax and debts, protecting assets and distributing inheritance correctly. Understanding the changes and preparing early can help families manage the process more efficiently.
Premier Solicitors provides clear, practical guidance to executors and administrators dealing with probate and estate administration.
Our probate team can advise on whether a grant is required, prepare the application, address inheritance tax reporting and help determine how many copies may be needed. We also provide full estate administration support where families would prefer the legal, financial and practical work to be managed on their behalf.
With probate fees and application requirements changing, early advice can help ensure that the correct process is followed and unnecessary costs or delays are avoided.
Read more blog posts which Emma has written for this website.
