Robert Keyse, in our Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts team, highlights the recent probate fee increase announced by the Government.
The Government has announced that the cost of applying for probate in England and Wales is set to rise, with the standard application fee increasing from £300 to £526 from 13 July 2026. For families already dealing with the emotional and practical impact of a bereavement, this is an unwelcome additional cost at an already difficult time.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process that gives one or more individuals the authority to deal with a person’s estate after they have died. If there is a Will, this usually means the named executor(s) applying for a Grant of Probate. If there is no Will, the appropriate person may need to apply for Letters of Administration. Once granted, the document allows the estate’s representatives to collect in assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute what remains to the beneficiaries.
What do probate fees cover?
The probate application fee is a court fee paid to HM Courts and Tribunals Service when an application is submitted. It applies to estates worth more than £5,000. The Government says the increase is intended to recover the cost of running and improving the service, including investment in a more efficient and modern system. A separate reduced fee will also apply where copies of probate documents are requested at the same time as the application.
What is changing and when?
Subject to parliamentary approval, the probate application fee will increase from £300 to £526 from 13 July 2026, representing a more than 75% increase. At the same time, the cost of ordering copies of probate documents alongside the application will reduce to £2 per copy, rather than £16. However, for many estates, the headline application fee rise will still be the most noticeable change.
How is the increase being received?
The increase has been met with concern across parts of the legal and probate community. Practitioners have pointed out that probate is not optional where it is needed, and the fee is often paid at a point when families may not yet have access to estate funds. There is also frustration that previous fee increases have not always been matched by clear improvements in processing times or user experience.
For executors and families, it’s important to plan ahead where possible. If an estate is close to being ready for submission, it may be worth taking advice promptly on whether an application can be made before the new fee comes into force. As always, tailored legal advice can help ensure the estate administration process is handled properly and as efficiently as possible.
For further information or legal advice, please contact law@blandy.co.uk or call 0118 951 6800.
This article is intended for the use of clients and other interested parties. The information contained in it is believed to be correct at the date of publication, but it is necessarily of a brief and general nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional advice.
