The Minister of Justice has announced that the cost of applying for probate in England and Wales will rise. From 13 July, the standard application fee will increase from £300 to £526. The increase amounts to over a 75% rise within just two years, building on the previous increase in 2024.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. This includes their property, money, and personal possessions. If the deceased left a valid will, their estate is administered according to their wishes. If they did not leave a valid will, their estate is distributed according to the laws of intestacy.
What does the probate fees cover?
The probate application fee is a mandatory fee paid to HM Courts and Tribunals Service when an application for probate is submitted. This covers checking the application, confirming the applicant’s legal entitlement, and issuing a Grant of Probate (where there is a valid will) or Letters of Administration (where there is no valid will).
The fee only applies for estates valued above £5,000. As the probate application fee is a flat fee regardless of the value of the estate, any increase in administrative costs has a heavier impact on smaller estates. The probate application fee does not cover the other costs of administering an estate. For example, obtaining certified copies of the death certificate, valuing the estate or legal fees.
Why are probate fees increasing?
The increase follows a wider review of court and tribunal fees, which raised more than 170 fees managed by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The Ministry of Justice states that the increase is intended to reflect inflation and support ongoing investment in the probate service.
Obtaining copies of probate grants, wills and letters of administration risen from £1.50 to £16 per copy in late 2025. The government faced criticism over the 967% increase. However, the Ministry of Justice has introduced that copies requested at the same time as a probate application will cost £2 each rather than £16.
How does the increase affect families?
While a £526 probate fee may seem like a small payment during a time of loss. However, additional legal fees, inheritance tax and valuation costs can create a heavy financial burden for families. Estate administration has grown increasingly complex in recent years. Particularly when it comes to tracing executors or identifying next of kin.
Final thoughts
As probate fees continue to rise, increasing pressure is being placed on both probate professionals and families. Probate is often a lengthy process, with delays often caused by identifying missing heirs, locating assets, and notifying organisations. These challenges can extend the administration of an estate, with some cases taking many months to resolve.
Blanchards specialises in identifying and locating next of kin in intestacy cases. There is no cost to make an enquiry. Once we begin researching a case, the cost of these services is taken from the estate, meaning there are no unexpected upfront costs for beneficiaries. Contact us today.
