How to Reduce Probate Costs – And Avoid Paying More Than You Need To

 

A practical guide to probate fees, hidden charges, professional executors and saving money when administering an estate.Dealing with someone’s estate after their death can be a difficult and unfamiliar responsibility. The last thing most families need is an unnecessarily large bill for probate services.

Yet probate fees can vary enormously, even between firms dealing with similar estates.

Some charge a fixed fee. Others charge by the hour. Some base their charges partly on the value of the estate, and a few combine several methods.

The difference can amount to thousands of pounds.

The good news is that there are perfectly sensible ways to reduce probate costs without putting the estate or its beneficiaries at unnecessary risk.

But first, an important question.

Do You Actually Need Probate?

Not every estate requires a Grant of Probate.

Depending on how assets are owned and the requirements of individual banks and financial institutions, some estates can be administered without obtaining a grant.

For example:

• Jointly owned assets may pass directly to the surviving owner.
• Banks and building societies may release relatively modest balances without requiring probate.
• Some estates contain no property or investments for which a grant is required.

There is no single amount below which probate is automatically unnecessary. Different institutions apply different requirements.

The first way to save on probate fees is to establish whether a grant is required at all.

Even where no grant is needed, the estate must still be properly administered, debts addressed and beneficiaries paid correctly. And in some cases Inheritance Tax could still be due – a very expensive error for an executor to make! (Think Lifetime gifts, gifts where the deceased retained a benefit, pension funds – and more.)

How Much Does Probate Cost?

It helps to separate three different types of expense.

1. The Government Probate Application Fee

As at October 2026, the application fee in England and Wales is:

Estate value	Application fee
£5,000 or less	No fee
Over £5,000	£526

The fee is the same whether the estate is worth £6,000 or £6 million. Which is grossl unfair as it is equivalent to over 10% on a £5001 estate and near enough nothing on the £6m one – much less than 1%.

That doesn’t mean the estate necessarily needs probate. The £5,000 figure relates to the government application fee, not whether a grant is legally required.

Additional charges may apply for copies and other court services.

2. Professional Fees

Solicitors and probate practitioners may charge for obtaining the grant, administering the estate, or both.

The amount depends on the work required and the firm’s charging arrangements.

3. Other Estate Administration Expenses

These can include property insurance, valuations, searches, statutory notices, maintenance, conveyancing and specialist tax advice.

Many are legitimate expenses, even where the executors undertake the work themselves.

The aim should be to avoid unnecessary expenditure, not to avoid essential protection.

Seven Ways to Reduce Probate Costs

1. Don’t Automatically Hand Everything to a Solicitor

You do not normally need a solicitor to apply for probate.

Many executors are perfectly capable of gathering information, valuing straightforward assets, contacting banks and preparing estate paperwork.

Others may prefer professional assistance because they lack the time, confidence or administrative experience.

The important thing is recognising that you have a choice.

You can often undertake some of the work yourself and pay a professional only for the parts where help is genuinely necessary.

2. Check Whether You Need Full Estate Administration

There is a substantial difference between obtaining a Grant of Probate and dealing with the entire estate.

A grant-only service generally involves preparing and submitting the application based on information supplied by the executors.

Full estate administration can involve collecting assets, paying debts, corresponding with beneficiaries, dealing with property, preparing accounts and distributing the estate.

The latter involves considerably more work.

Why pay somebody to undertake the whole administration if you only need assistance obtaining the grant?

Conversely, don’t underestimate the work involved in administering a complicated estate.

Choose the level of help appropriate to the circumstances.

3. Compare Fixed Fees, Hourly Charges and Percentage Fees

The way a professional calculates their fees can make a considerable difference.

Fixed fees

A fixed fee can provide welcome certainty, particularly where the estate is straightforward and its circumstances are known.

However, check precisely what the fee includes and how fixed it is when new issues come out of the woodwork – like Bitcoin!

Some fixed-fee arrangements cover only the grant application, while others include full administration.

Hourly charges

Paying for the actual work undertaken can be fair, particularly where the amount of work is uncertain.

But you need to know who will undertake the work, their hourly rates and how time is recorded.  And get agreement on how often they will report progress or you can add thousands by pestering them or allowing beneficiaries to.  YOU, the executor should be the only source of information.

Percentage-based charges

Some firms charge according to the value of the estate, either instead of or in addition to hourly fees.

A £500,000 estate charged at 2% would generate a fee of £10,000, before any additional costs or VAT that may apply.

An estate worth £500,000 is not necessarily twice as complicated to administer as one worth £250,000.

The value of the estate and the amount of work involved are not always closely related.

That is why percentage charges deserve particularly careful scrutiny.

Hidden Probate Charges – What to Watch Out For

The following three charging practices are worth understanding before appointing a professional.

1. Responsibility Allowances

Some professional firms calculate their fees partly on the value of the estate. These charges may be described as a responsibility allowance or value element.

They can sometimes be added to normal hourly charges.

For example, a 1.5% charge on an estate worth £800,000 amounts to £12,000.

If the firm also charges £5,000 for the hours worked, the combined professional fee would be £17,000 before VAT, where applicable.

The responsibility allowance is not necessarily an improper charge. A professional taking responsibility for a substantial estate may carry significant obligations and risks.

Nevertheless, you should understand exactly what the additional charge pays for and whether it represents reasonable value.

Ask whether the firm charges on the gross value of the estate, its net value or some other basis.

For clarity, the gross value of an estate generally means the value of relevant assets before deducting liabilities. Different figures may be required for probate and inheritance tax purposes.

2. Six-Minute Billing Units

Many solicitors record time in six-minute units, meaning ten units make one hour.

There is nothing inherently improper about this standard practice, but it can affect the final bill.

Suppose a solicitor charges £300 per hour.

One six-minute unit costs £30.

If a brief telephone call lasting two minutes is charged as a full unit, the charge is £30 rather than £10.

Similarly, a task lasting seven minutes might be recorded as two six-minute units, costing £60.

Over a lengthy administration involving numerous calls, letters and emails, these differences can accumulate.

Ask how time is recorded, whether short activities are rounded up and whether different staff members have different rates.

3. Who Is Actually Doing the Work?

A firm may quote a senior solicitor’s hourly rate, but that does not necessarily mean the solicitor personally undertakes every task.

Much probate administration involves correspondence, obtaining information and organising records.

These tasks may be delegated to junior staff, paralegals or administrative assistants.

That can be perfectly sensible and economical — provided the charges reflect the work and the level of expertise required.

Ask whether administrative work is charged at a lower rate and how the matter is supervised.

You should not be paying specialist legal rates for routine administration without a good reason.

Professional Executors – A Decision Worth Reviewing While You Are Alive

This is an issue I have raised for many years.

Some Wills appoint a solicitor, bank or other professional organisation as executor.

There can be good reasons for doing so, particularly where an estate is complex, the family cannot act or disputes are likely.

But appointing a professional executor can also restrict the family’s freedom to choose who administers the estate and at what cost.

Once the person making the Will has died, the appointed executor has an important legal role. Replacing a professional executor may be difficult, particularly once they have started acting.

Professional executors do not have an unrestricted right to charge whatever they please; their entitlement to remuneration depends on the Will, applicable law and other arrangements.

Nevertheless, a professional appointment may result in fees that the family would not otherwise have chosen had they been free to negotiate.

Should You Appoint Family Executors Instead?

For many straightforward estates, appointing suitable family members or trusted friends can provide greater flexibility.

They can then decide whether to undertake the administration themselves, appoint a solicitor or obtain help with particular tasks.

Of course, not everybody has suitable family members willing to accept the responsibility.

And professional executors can be invaluable where independence or specialist expertise is needed.

The important thing is making a conscious, informed decision rather than automatically appointing the firm that prepared the Will.

If you are making or reviewing your Will, check who your executors are and whether any professional charging provisions are included.

It may be much easier to change an arrangement during your lifetime than for your family to resolve the consequences afterwards.

DIY Probate – Is It Worth Doing Yourself?

For a straightforward estate, applying for probate yourself can save professional fees.

The government’s online service provides guidance on the application process.

However, obtaining the grant is not the same as completing the administration.

Executors remain responsible for identifying assets and debts, dealing with tax obligations, protecting estate property and distributing the estate correctly.

They may be personally liable if they make certain mistakes.

DIY probate is often most suitable where:

• The Will is straightforward, and the executors are clearly identified.
• The estate’s assets and liabilities are reasonably easy to establish.
• There are no significant tax or trust complications.
• The beneficiaries are known, and there are no disputes.
• The executors have sufficient time and administrative ability.

Be cautious about undertaking unfamiliar work simply to save fees.

A mistake involving inheritance tax, an overlooked creditor or an incorrectly distributed estate could cost considerably more than the professional advice that might have prevented it.

Assisted Probate – A Sensible Middle Ground

There is another option that deserves more attention.

Rather than paying a professional to administer everything, the executors undertake the straightforward work and obtain specialist assistance where it is needed.

This might involve the executors gathering financial information, contacting institutions and organising documents, while a probate practitioner deals with the application, tax questions or other more demanding matters.

Some professionals offer limited-scope or grant-only services.

The potential advantages are straightforward:

• Lower professional fees because the executors undertake some of the work.
• Access to expertise for difficult questions.
• Greater involvement and control for family executors.
• Flexibility to obtain further help if complications arise.

However, make sure the division of responsibilities is clear.

A professional who prepares an application using information supplied by the executors may not be responsible for independently checking every asset, liability or valuation.

Understand exactly what has and has not been agreed.

When Saving on Professional Fees Could Be a Costly Mistake

There are circumstances where expert assistance may save much more than it costs.

These include:

Inheritance tax complications

Large estates, lifetime gifts, reliefs, exemptions, trusts and business or agricultural assets can create difficult questions.

Incorrect treatment may lead to unnecessary tax, penalties or further enquiries.

Overseas assets

Foreign property, investments and questions of residence or cross-border taxation can introduce additional legal and administrative complications.

Disagreements between beneficiaries

Family disputes can quickly consume time and money. Independent professional advice may help avoid escalation.

Unusual trusts or complicated Wills

Executors should not distribute assets until they understand their obligations.

Missing beneficiaries or unknown debts

Executors may need appropriate searches, notices or insurance to protect themselves.

Business interests

A business may require urgent decisions to preserve value and maintain operations.

In these circumstances, choosing the cheapest service may be false economy.

Choose someone with relevant experience rather than assuming every professional deals with the same range of work.

How to Compare Probate Quotations Properly

Obtaining two or three quotations can be worthwhile, but only when you compare like with like.

A useful written quotation should explain:

1. Whether the service covers the grant only or full estate administration.
2. The proposed professional fee and whether VAT is included.
3. Whether hourly rates, percentages or responsibility allowances apply.
4. What third-party costs and disbursements are expected.
5. Whether dealing with property, tax returns and estate accounts is included.
6. Who will undertake the work and their experience.
7. What circumstances could increase the fee.
8. The likely timescale and what happens if the matter becomes complicated.

Ask for clarification if the scope is unclear.

Solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority are generally required to publish price and service information for uncontested probate work involving UK assets.

That makes it easier to compare firms before contacting them.

An advertised fixed fee does not necessarily cover every eventuality, but it should make clear what is included and what may cost extra.

Can Executors Be Paid for Their Work?

Executors can generally recover reasonable, properly incurred expenses from the estate.

These may include postage, travel connected with estate business and other necessary administration expenses.

However, acting as an executor does not ordinarily entitle a family member to charge the estate for their time.

There are exceptions, including valid charging provisions and certain arrangements allowing remuneration.

Keep proper records and receipts.

Do not confuse legitimate reimbursement with an automatic right to payment for acting as executor.

Don’t Forget the Other Costs of Estate Administration

Probate fees are only one part of the financial picture.

An estate may incur legitimate expenses for:

• Insurance of an empty property
• Essential repairs, security and maintenance
• Property or specialist asset valuations
• Searching for missing assets or liabilities
• Notices to creditors
• Tracing beneficiaries
• Conveyancing and property sales
• Professional tax advice

It is important to distinguish necessary expenditure from optional expenditure.

For example, insuring an unoccupied property may be essential, while an unnecessarily expensive property management arrangement may not be.

Similarly, appropriate statutory notices and searches may help protect executors from liabilities that could otherwise become a personal problem.

Cutting corners is not always saving money.

Before You Pay Anything – A Short Checklist

Before committing the estate to substantial professional fees:

• Find the original Will and identify the executors.

• Establish whether a Grant of Probate is needed.

• Identify the estate’s main assets and liabilities.

• Check for inheritance tax complications.

• Decide what the executors can realistically undertake.

• Consider grant-only or limited professional assistance.

• Obtain written and comparable quotations.

• Check for percentage charges and additional allowances.

• Confirm what happens if the work becomes more complicated.

• Keep records of all decisions, payments and expenses.

Finding Professional Help

If you need assistance, look for a suitably qualified and experienced practitioner whose expertise matches the estate.

A relatively straightforward grant application may not require the same expertise as an estate involving substantial inheritance tax, trusts, overseas property or disputed inheritance.

The Probate Department provides independent practical information, together with local directories to help visitors identify professional services in their area.

Businesses appearing in a directory should be assessed on their own merits. A listing or advertisement is not a guarantee of suitability.

You can also use the official government guidance to apply for probate yourself.

Official probate application: https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate

Local information and services: https://www.theprobatedepartment.co.uk/local

Finally – The Cheapest Probate Is Not Always the Best Probate

Over the years, I have encountered numerous examples of estates where professional charges were substantially greater than the work appeared to justify.

I have also seen circumstances where proper specialist advice was essential.

My view is simple.

Executors should pay a fair price for the work genuinely needed, understand what they are paying for and remain in control of costs wherever possible.

There is nothing wrong with paying professionals well for valuable expertise.

There is equally nothing wrong with asking difficult questions about their fees.

A little research before committing the estate to an expensive arrangement may save thousands of pounds — money that can remain available for the beneficiaries rather than being consumed by avoidable administration costs.

The Probate Department provides independent consumer information for England and Wales. We do not arrange probate quotations or operate a probate-broking service. This guide is general information and not individual legal or tax advice.