What Is Changing
From 13 July 2026, the probate application fee in England and Wales rises from £300 to £526 — an increase of more than 75 per cent. The cost of additional copies of the grant falls from £16 to £2 each, but the headline increase is significant.
Who Is Affected
Anyone applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration after 13 July. The fee is payable by the estate, but executors often need to fund it upfront from their own pocket — before any estate assets are released.
Estates valued at £5,000 or less remain exempt.
Why It Matters
The fee increase is part of a wider programme of court fee rises across HMCTS. Combined with solicitor fees, valuations, and any inheritance tax due, the cost of administering an estate continues to climb.
For executors, timing matters. If an application is ready to go before 13 July, filing promptly saves £226. But rushing an incomplete application is not advisable — rejection costs more than the saving.
What You Can Do
- Keep an asset register — make your executors’ job easier and cheaper
- Choose executors carefully — they will need to fund the fee upfront
- Structure assets to reduce probate exposure — joint ownership, trusts, and pension nominations can help
- Review your will — an up-to-date will makes probate faster and less expensive
Probate fees are rising, and the trend shows no sign of reversing. Planning ahead is the most effective way to reduce the cost and stress for your family.
Get in touch with The Legacy Wills Company to discuss how to prepare your estate.