by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
Being named as an executor is not an honour — it is a legal job. You are personally responsible for securing assets, valuing everything, paying debts and taxes, applying for probate (now £526), and distributing the estate exactly as the Will directs. The process takes...
by johnireland | Articles
Most people who are named as an executor in someone’s Will have no idea what the role actually involves. They assume it means signing a few forms and distributing some money. In reality, being an executor is a legal position with personal liability, fiduciary...
by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
On 13 July 2026, probate fees in England and Wales rose from £300 to £526 — a 75 per cent increase. The fee is only part of the cost. Processing delays, HMRC requirements, and incomplete applications can stretch the timeline from weeks to months. Current average...
by johnireland | Articles
A 75% Increase Overnight On 13 July 2026, the cost of applying for a grant of probate in England and Wales rose from £300 to £526 — a 75 per cent increase. For many families, the fee itself is manageable. But combined with processing delays, HMRC requirements, and the...
by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
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...