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How much does a solicitor charge for probate (and to be an executor)?

· By London Solicitors Guide
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The court fee for probate is fixed, but solicitors set their own charges, so those vary. For help with the application alone, solicitors typically charge about £750 to £1,200. Full administration costs more. Executors are not paid unless the will says so, and a professional executor adds costs that the estate pays.

The short answer

The court fee is the official part of the bill. GOV.UK sets the probate application fee at £526 if the estate is over £5,000, and nothing if it is £5,000 or less. Solicitors’ charges sit on top of that fee, and they differ from firm to firm.

So, how much does a solicitor charge for probate? It depends on the work. Help with only the application costs less than full administration, and an estate with a property costs more to administer than a simple one. Because firms also price in different ways, ask each one how it charges before you compare figures.

The official court fee

GOV.UK says the probate application fee is £526 if the estate is over £5,000. If the estate is £5,000 or less, there is no fee. This is the only court fee this page quotes, so treat any older figure you meet with caution and check the current amount on GOV.UK.

You may want copies of the probate document, for example when several organisations each ask to see one. Extra copies cost £2 each if you order them with the application. However, ordering them later costs £16 each, so it pays to think ahead about how many you will need.

GOV.UK also lists a fee of £22 for a second application after probate has been granted. As a result, it applies only to an application made after the grant. These fees go to the court, not to a solicitor. A solicitor’s own charge is separate.

What solicitors typically charge

Solicitors’ charges depend on how much of the work you hand over. For help with only the application for a grant of probate, solicitors typically charge about £750 to £1,200. However, that range covers only the application, not help with other parts of the estate.

For full administration of an estate, the figures are higher. Solicitors typically charge about £1,500 to £2,500 for a simple estate. Where there is a property, they typically charge about £3,000 to £4,000. As a result, a property in the estate can add noticeably to the cost.

Some firms do not use a fixed fee at all. Instead, they charge 1 to 4 per cent of the gross estate, or £150 to £300 an hour. A percentage charge applies to the gross estate, so it rises with the size of the estate. An hourly charge rises with the time the work takes.

VAT treatment differs between firms, so ask whether a quote includes VAT. Otherwise, two quotes that look close may differ once VAT is added. These ranges are typical figures, not promises, and your own quote may fall outside them.

Do executors get paid?

HMRC’s trusts and estates manual says executors are not entitled to payment unless the will specifically provides for it. If you are a family member named as executor, the same rule applies to you. Therefore, the will itself is the place to check for any provision for payment. However, keep a record of what you spend as you go.

The picture changes with a professional executor. HMRC says payment to a professional executor is an expense of administration, so the estate pays it. GOV.UK says using a professional executor involves additional costs charged to the estate. It also warns that you may be charged fees you did not expect, and that some may charge a fee for stepping aside.

Naming a professional executor is not a legal requirement. Therefore, if you are making a will, you can weigh that choice against the extra cost. Our guide to the cost of a will in the UK covers the earlier step, and the wills and probate page explains the wider area of law.

How to ask for a clear quote

A clear quote begins with a clear description of the job. First, tell the firm whether you want help with only the application for a grant of probate, or full administration of the estate. Those two jobs sit in different price ranges, so the answer changes the quote.

Next, ask whether the firm charges a fixed fee, a percentage of the gross estate or an hourly rate. A fixed fee tells you the cost in advance. However, an hourly rate or a percentage can grow with the work or the estate, so ask for an estimate of the total and what could change it.

Also ask whether the quote includes VAT, and which costs sit outside it, such as the court fee and any extra copies. Because costs differ between firms, ask for the answers in writing. If you are unsure whether you need a solicitor at all, read do I need a solicitor for probate first.

Finally, check who you are dealing with. The check-a-solicitor page shows how to confirm that a solicitor is regulated.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a solicitor charge for probate?
It depends on the work. For help with only the application for a grant of probate, solicitors typically charge about £750 to £1,200. For full administration, they typically charge about £1,500 to £2,500 for a simple estate and about £3,000 to £4,000 where there is a property. VAT treatment differs, so ask whether a quote includes it.
What is the probate application fee?
GOV.UK sets the fee at £526 if the estate is over £5,000. If the estate is £5,000 or less, you pay no fee. Extra copies of the probate document cost £2 each with the application and £16 each if you order them later. A solicitor's charge is separate from this court fee.
Can an executor charge for their work?
Not unless the will says so. HMRC's trusts and estates manual says executors have no entitlement to payment unless the will specifically provides for it. Payment to a professional executor is different, because it counts as an expense of administration. Check the will before you assume anyone will be paid.

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