Probate Fees Increase: What Does This Mean for Bereaved Families?

The process of dealing with a loved one's estate following their death can be both emotionally and financially challenging. Recent changes to probate applications fees mean that families and executors now face higher costs when applying for probate.

The probate application fee in England and Wales has increased from £300 to £526 for estates valued at more than £5,000. Where appropriate, this fee is generally paid from the estate's assets. This means the increase may slightly reduce the funds ultimately available for distribution to beneficiaries.

The Government has explained that the latest increase in the application fee is intended to help reflect the cost of operating and improving the probate service. The previous fee is said to have no longer adequately reflected the cost of providing the service and the additional funding attained from increased fees should support a more efficient processing of applications. The fee for additional copies of probate documents ordered alongside the original documents, however, has fallen from £16 to £2 per copy.

The increase in probate applications fees is a reminder that administering an estate can involve a range of costs, some of which may not be immediately obvious. Despite this increase, there are steps you can take to manage the overall cost of administering an estate. For those who are eligible, the Government's Help with Fees scheme may provide assistance with court fees. Further information can be found on the gov.uk website via this link https://www.gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees.