When someone dies and leaves property, money and possessions in their Will, it’s up to the executor of the Will to distribute the assets between the beneficiaries according to the details of the Will.
The executor needs to obtain the necessary legal permission to do this – which is known as a ‘Grant of Probate’.
Currently, the Probate Court charges a flat rate Probate Fee of £215 (or £155 if obtained by a solicitor or authorised Probate Practitioner). This fee is paid at the point of application for probate on estates (typically) over £5,000.
However, this court fee is set to change in April 2019.
(The exact date is yet to be announced.)
New probate fees
The current flat-fee basis is due to change to a sliding-scale fee based on the total value of the estate.
|
Value of Estate |
Court Fee for Grant of Probate (£) |
|
£0 to £50,000 |
0 |
|
£50,000 to £300,000 |
250 |
|
£300,001 to £500,000 |
750 |
|
£500,001 to £1m |
2,500 |
|
£1m to £1.6m |
4,000 |
|
£1.6m to £2m |
5,000 |
|
Over £2m |
6,000 |
This is good news for those estates that are under £50,000 as they (typically) won’t need to get probate. (A Grant of Probate may still be required by a bank or building society due to their own procedural policies.)
However, for everyone else this is an extra expense at an already very difficult and costly time.
We think this proposed increase is unfair. We believe that the cost of the Grant of Probate should be the same, irrespective of the value of the estate – as there is no additional work that has to be done for a Grant of Probate on a larger estate.
Our costs remain on fixed-fee basis
If these new Probate fees do come into effect, our costs for helping clients obtain the Grant of Probate will be on a fixed-rate basis (plus the cost of the Probate fee from the Court).
Where there is no Inheritance Tax payable, our fee will be £200 plus the Court fees.
Where there is Inheritance Tax payable, our fee will be £350 plus the Court fees.
Get Probate help
If you need help with any probate-related matter, just get in touch with the team at Get Probate (0161 907 4044).
Our team of authorised non-contentious probate practitioners, provide a quick, easy and low-cost service throughout England and Wales.
Whether you need help just to get a Grant of Probate or you’d like someone to deal with the entire Probate process for you, we can help.