Ever found yourself staring at legal bills and wondering if you’re being taken for a ride? Trust me you’re not alone. When it comes to probate costs in the UK most people are left scratching their heads, especially during such a difficult time. As someone who’s navigated these murky waters, I’m here to shed some light on what you can expect to pay solicitors for probate services in 2025.
What Actually Is Probate and Why Might You Need It?
Before diving into the costs, let’s get our heads around what probate actually is. In simple terms, probate is the legal process of dealing with someone’s estate (their money, property, and possessions) after they’ve passed away. It involves getting the legal right to handle the deceased person’s assets, paying any outstanding debts, and distributing what’s left according to their will (or according to law if there isn’t one).
You’ll typically need probate if
- The estate is worth more than £5,000
- The deceased owned property in their sole name
- Certain financial institutions require it before releasing funds
Solicitors’ Probate Fees: The Different Charging Methods
When it comes to how much solicitors charge for probate in the UK, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Solicitors typically use one of these fee structures:
1. Fixed Fee Probate
Many solicitors now offer fixed fee packages for probate services. Now you know the exact amount you’ll pay, so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises later on.
Based on the most recent data from September 2025, fixed fees for obtaining just the Grant of Representation (without full estate administration) typically range from:
- £2,000 plus VAT for simpler estates (requiring IHT205 form)
- £2,500 plus VAT for more complex estates (requiring IHT400 form)
2. Hourly Rate Charging
Some solicitors charge by the hour, and these rates can vary significantly depending on:
- The solicitor’s experience
- The firm’s location
- The complexity of the estate
According to the latest 2025 figures, hourly rates typically fall within these ranges:
- Consultants/Specialist Partners: £450 + VAT
- Partners: £300 + VAT
- Senior Associates: £280 + VAT
- Associates: £270 + VAT
- Solicitors: £250 + VAT
- Paralegals and Trainees: £175 + VAT
3. Percentage of the Estate Value
Some lawyers, especially banks, charge a percentage of the total value of the estate. This method is often the most expensive approach.
Typical percentage fees in 2025:
- Banks: 4-5% plus VAT
- Solicitors: 1-5% plus VAT
- Probate specialists: 1.99% plus VAT
Let’s put this in perspective. For an estate worth £300,000:
- A bank charging 5% would cost around £18,000 including VAT
- A solicitor charging 3.5% would cost around £12,600 including VAT
- A probate specialist charging 1.99% would cost around £7,164 including VAT
Full Estate Administration Costs Based on Estate Value
For full estate administration (not just getting the grant), solicitors’ fees usually go up as the estate gets more valuable and complicated. Here’s what you might expect to pay in 2025:
| Estate Value | Fee Range (excl. VAT) | Total inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £50,000 (no property, up to 4 accounts) | £1,800 – £2,600 | £2,160 – £3,120 |
| £50,000 – £100,000 (no property, up to 6 accounts) | £2,600 – £4,200 | £3,120 – £5,040 |
| £100,000 – £325,000 (including property, up to 12 investments) | £4,200 – £7,800 | £5,040 – £9,360 |
| £325,000 – £650,000 (including property, up to 16 investments) | £5,200 – £9,900 | £6,240 – £11,880 |
| £650,000 – £2,000,000 (including property, up to 30 investments) | £7,300 – £32,000 | £8,760 – £38,400 |
These figures are based on the estimated time required, with more complex estates naturally taking longer to administer.
Additional Probate Costs to Consider
The solicitor’s fees ain’t the whole story. You’ll need to budget for these disbursements (third-party costs) too:
- Probate application fee: £273 for estates over £5,000 (free for estates under £5,000)
- Office copies of the grant: £1.50 per copy (usually one per asset)
- Land Registry search fee: £3
- Notices in newspapers: Varies (to advertise for unknown creditors)
- Valuation fees: For property, possessions, or investments
- Income tax or capital gains tax work: May require additional fees
Factors That Can Increase Probate Costs
Some estates are more complex than others. Your costs might go up if the estate includes:
- Missing paperwork or title deeds
- Beneficiaries who need to be traced
- Foreign assets
- Business interests or agricultural property
- Private company shares
- Inheritance tax liabilities
- Disputes between beneficiaries
- Unclear will terms
- Trusts
How Long Does Probate Take?
Time is money, as they say. The longer probate takes, the more it might cost if your solicitor charges by the hour.
Based on 2025 data, typical timeframes are:
- Obtaining the Grant of Probate: Up to 3 months
- Full estate administration: 3-12 months
- Complex estates with IHT issues: Up to 2 years
DIY Probate vs Using a Solicitor
“Can I just do this myself and save the cash?” I hear ya asking. The answer is yes, but proceed with caution.
DIY Probate Pros:
- Significantly cheaper
- You maintain full control
- Can be straightforward for simple estates
DIY Probate Cons:
- Personal liability if mistakes are made
- Time-consuming and potentially stressful
- Complex tax implications might be missed
- Potential for family disputes
The number of claims against executors for “getting it wrong” has more than tripled in recent years, possibly linked to the rise in DIY probate attempts.
Tips for Reducing Probate Costs
- Shop around: Get quotes from at least three different solicitors
- Be clear about what you need: Do you want full estate administration or just help obtaining the grant?
- Ask for a fixed fee: This gives you certainty from the outset
- Consider a probate specialist: Often cheaper than banks or solicitors
- Prepare well: The more organised the estate’s paperwork, the less time a solicitor will need to spend
- Consider DIY for simple estates: But only if you’re confident and the estate is uncomplicated
Legal Aid for Probate
Unfortunately, legal aid isn’t generally available for probate matters. However, some solicitors offer initial free consultations, and you might find support through legal aid organizations if your case involves disputes or is particularly complex.
Real World Example: The Cost Difference
Let me give you a real example. My neighbor John was executor for his father’s estate valued at £275,000, including a house and several bank accounts. He got three quotes:
- The bank his father used: £12,375 (4.5% + VAT)
- A local high street solicitor: £5,000 fixed fee
- A probate specialist: £3,400 fixed fee
By spending an hour getting different quotes, John saved nearly £9,000!
Should You Use a Solicitor for Probate?
While there’s no legal requirement to use a solicitor for probate, it’s often worth considering in these situations:
- The estate exceeds the inheritance tax threshold (currently £325,000)
- There are complex family arrangements
- The will is contested or unclear
- The deceased owned business assets
- There are foreign assets
- You simply don’t have the time or emotional energy
Final Thoughts – Is It Worth the Cost?
From personal experience, I can tell you that probate is one of those things where the value isn’t just about the money. During a time of grief, having someone handle the legal complexities can be a huge relief.
That said, probate fees can be significant, so it’s worth taking the time to understand what you’re paying for and shopping around for the best value.
Remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best – look for a solicitor or probate specialist with good reviews, clear communication, and transparent pricing. And don’t be afraid to negotiate – many firms are willing to be flexible with their fees.
In 2025, with proper research and understanding of the options available, you can ensure you’re getting a fair deal on probate costs while also getting the support you need during a difficult time.
Have you had experience with probate costs? Was it more or less than you expected? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below.
This article was last updated in September 2025 and reflects the most current pricing information available.
Disbursements in addition to this estimate are as follows:
Probate application fee of £300 (current fee rate of the Probate Registry)
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£7.20 per beneficiary)
£110.80 plus VAT (£22.16) advertisement in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
£140.00 plus VAT (£28.00) post in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
If the person doesn’t leave a will or their estate includes stocks and bonds, there may be extra costs that vary a lot depending on the size of the estate and how it is to be handled. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 (1 per asset usually).
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included. We will be pleased to provide a separate quote for our work selling or transferring a property.
Who will work on my matter?
Our team are all qualified solicitors, the head of the team being a Partner in the firm, supported by trainees and experienced staff. For more details on the qualified staff, please visit the “meet the team” page.
We think it will take between 3 and 5 days to settle a fairly simple estate with two or three bank accounts or investments and a house. 5 and 7 hours of time for the work up to obtaining a Grant of Representation. Lawyers at the firm make between £165 (plus VAT of £33) and £305 (plus VAT of £61) an hour, depending on how much experience they have. The work that needs to be done to get a Grant of Representation will usually cost between £950 (plus VAT of £190) and £2,000 (plus VAT of £400).
If we are instructed to administer a fairly straight-forward estate once the Grant of Representation has been obtained, then our fees for administering the estate will depend upon the amount of time spent at the hourly rates quoted above. The time spent can typically be between 2 hours and 10 hours, including collecting funds from organisations, settling liabilities and preparing Estate Accounts and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Our fees for administering a fairly straight-forward estate can therefore be within a range of £950 (+ VAT of £190) to £3,150 (+ VAT of £630).
Therefore, the range of costs involved in obtaining the Grant of Representation and administering a fairly straight-forward estate are likely to be in the region of £1,700 (+ VAT of £340) to £4,700 (+ VAT of £940).
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter and in some circumstances the fees may be lower or higher than these guidelines. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end. We can provide you with a more tailored quote by contacting us directly.
We will handle the full process for you. The figures provided above are for estates where:
- There is a valid will
- There is no more than one property
- Your bank or building society account number is 4.
- There are no other intangible assets
- There are 1 to 3 beneficiaries
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If there are disagreements, the costs are likely to go up.
- People who are in charge of the estate don’t have to pay inheritance tax or give HMRC a full account.
- There are no claims made against the estate
What is the cost of probate
FAQ
How much does probate cost through a solicitor in the UK?
Solicitors usually charge between 1% and 5% of the estate’s value (plus VAT), though a fixed fee or hourly rate may apply for smaller or simpler estates. We know probate comes at a difficult time. That’s why our guide is simple, clear, and written with care.
Is it worth using a solicitor for probate?
A solicitor can help you apply for probate by making the process easier and making sure you do not get penalties if you submit the wrong information. When someone dies, applying for probate gives you the legal right to handle their estate, which is their property, money, and things.
Is it quicker to use a solicitor for probate?
However, if the estate is large or complex, with multiple assets and beneficiaries, the process is likely to be a lot smoother and quicker with the help of a probate solicitor, who will ensure that everything is handled correctly.
How much does a solicitor charge to carry out probate?
Many are not aware of their legal obligations and fearful of being sued in these litigious times. Most prefer to leave the hassle to the professionals however the probate solicitors’ fees that are usually charged are quite high. These are often as much as 1% to 2% of the value of the assets.
How much does probate cost in the UK?
TL;DR: Probate fees in the UK typically include a government court fee of £273 (as of 2025) plus optional solicitor fees, which vary widely. If you are dealing with the estate of a loved one, you should definitely hire a solicitor. They can save you time, stress, and legal risk, especially if the estate is big or there is a lot of disagreement.
How much does a probate solicitor cost?
The fees that your probate lawyer charges will depend on your situation, how complicated the estate is, and the types of assets that are involved. This is common among probate solicitors and is usually between 1% and 2. 5% of the value of the estate, plus VAT. The exact fee depends on the estate’s complexity and your solicitor’s rate.
How much does a solicitor charge for an estate?
Estates under this threshold do not incur any application fees. Basic administrative fees charged by solicitors typically start at around £1,500 plus VAT for estates valued at £325,000 or less. As the estate value increases, so do the fees, potentially reaching 1.75% for estates exceeding £1.5 million.
How much does TM solicitors probate cost?
TM Solicitors probate costs Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets We anticipate this will take between 10 and 25 hours work at £300 per hour plus VAT charged at 20%. Total costs estimated at £3,000-£7,500 (+VAT charged at 20%). The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter.
How much does a solicitor cost to administer a will?
The cost of hiring a solicitor to administer a will can also vary. The Law Society estimates that on average, solicitor fees for administering a will range from £2,000 – £10,000 plus VAT. The fees vary depending on the complexity of the estate. However, it is important to note that this is simply an average.
How do probate Solicitor charges work?
Our probate solicitor charges are based entirely on time spent working on the matter which is charged at the hourly rate of the fee earner/s working on the file. We do not charge a percentage of the value of the estate in addition to our standard charges.