How much does probate cost with a solicitor?
Costs range from £499 for probate application only to £10,000+ for full estate administration. Some solicitors offer fixed fee, some offer a fee based on a percentage value of the estate and some an hourly rate so costs vary considerable. The only way to find out what you’ll actually pay is to request quotes. Via The Probate Network, one form gets you three personalised quotes from three SRA regulated solicitors.
An Impartial Overview of Solicitors Costs
As an independent probate comparison site we can impartially explain the various probate charging structures that solicitors use, provide calculators to illustrate those charges, give tips on how to keep legal fees to a minimum and offer an easy way to quickly obtain personalised quotes from three SRA regulated solicitors.
Content Overview
How much do solicitors charge for probate in the UK?
The answer varies depending on the complexity of the estate, the pricing model used by the solicitor, and the level of work involved.
In England and Wales, probate solicitors typically charge using one of three structures:
- Fixed fee probate services
- Hourly rates
- A percentage of the estate value
Understanding how probate fees are calculated can help executors decide whether professional assistance is necessary and ensure that estate administration costs remain proportionate.
What Influences the Cost of Probate Solicitors?
Several factors influence how much a solicitor will charge for probate:
- Estate value: Larger estates usually require more time and administration.
- Complexity: Multiple properties, business interests, or overseas assets increase the workload.
- The existence of a valid Will: Missing or unclear Wills can add legal complications.
- Number of beneficiaries: The more beneficiaries there are, the more time-consuming the process becomes.
- Type of service required: Some Executors ask a solicitor to handle everything, while others only need help obtaining the Grant of Probate.
- Fee structure: Solicitors may charge a fixed fee, hourly rate, or a percentage of the estate’s value.
- Services included: Are they managing the probate application, full estate administration or both.
Grant of Probate Application V’s Full Estate Administration
Solicitors’ charges for probate are often divided into two distinct stages, and executors can request a quote for either stage separately or for both together as a full service.
Applying for Probate
The first stage is applying for the Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no will). This stage typically includes identifying and valuing the estate assets, preparing the inheritance tax forms, submitting the probate application to the Probate Registry, and obtaining the official grant that gives the executor authority to deal with the estate.
Full Estate Administration
The second stage is full estate administration, which covers the practical work of collecting in the assets, closing bank and investment accounts, selling or transferring property, paying debts and taxes, preparing estate accounts, and distributing the remaining funds to beneficiaries.
Some executors choose to instruct a solicitor only for the grant application, handling the rest of the administration themselves, while others prefer a solicitor to manage the entire probate process from start to finish.
The Structure of Probate Solicitors Fees
Fixed Fee Probate, Percentage Fees or Hourly Rate
One of the biggest differences between probate solicitors is how they structure their pricing.
Fixed Fee Probate
Many firms offer fixed fee probate services especially for smaller or straightforward estates. This is where the executor pays a set price for handling the administration of the estate.
Advantages include:
- predictable costs
- transparency
- easier budgeting for the estate
A fixed fee gives certainty, making it easier to budget. Fees typically start from around £1,000 for a simple estate (such as one property and a few bank accounts) and can rise to £5,000 or more for complex estates with multiple assets or inheritance tax considerations. For very complex or large estates fixed fees may not be offered with percentage based or hourly rate fees being the only option.
Percentage-Based Probate Fees
Some solicitors charge a percentage of the estate value, often between:
1% and 5% of the total estate. This can produce much higher fees on large estates.
For example, if a solicitor charges 2% on a £500,000 estate, the legal fee would be: £10,000 plus VAT. For a complex estate that maybe proportionate to the work involved but if it’s a relatively straight forward estate, for example that has a few bank accounts a property and a couple of named beneficiaries £10,000 would be an excessive fee. In this case find a solicitor that offers fixed fees or hourly rate.
You can try our Probate Fees Calculator to see the difference the percentage rate when applied to estate value can make to the overall cost of a probate solicitor.
Percentage Based Probate Fee Calculator
The Hourly Rate
Some solicitors charge by the hour. Rates usually depend on the solicitor’s experience and the location of the firm.
Typical hourly rates range between £250 and £450 plus VAT.
This option is more suitable for complicated or disputed estates where the amount of work required is uncertain. That said, it’s always sensible to try and ascertain how many hours the work is likely to take and it’s not unreasonable to request that you are kept informed on the level of fees. For example, you can request to be informed when a specified number of hours has been completed or you can ask for interim bills as the work progresses. This ensures that the cost of probate doesn’t become disproportionate to the value of the estate. Some probate solicitors (not all) may also offer a capped hourly rate which means they will agree a maximum fee that they will charge, regardless of the number of hours.
How to Compare Probate Quotes – Free Download
Whatever fee structure is on offer it’s important to understand exactly what is covered in the fee. For example, if there is a property to be sold does the percentage cover conveyancing fees. More often than not, conveyancing fees are a separate legal fee.
To help Executors to understand and compare probate solicitors’ costs we have prepared a handy guide which outlines all the questions you need to ask the solicitor to ensure you fully understand what’s included the probate solicitor’s fees.
Download the Guide. Probate Quotes The Questions To Ask
Other Costs Associated with Probate
It’s important to be aware of all likely costs involved probate in addition to legal fees. Valuation costs, probate house insurance costs, estate agent fees to name a few. We summarise below but cover this in more detail in our article Probate Costs. However it’s important to mention additional probate costs here because many of these additional costs will not be covered in the cost of a probate solicitor.
In addition to solicitors costs, Executors should also budget for third-party costs. These may include:
- Probate application fee (£526 for estates over £5,000, increased from £300 on 13 July 2026)
- Bankruptcy searches for each beneficiary
- Chattels Valuations for property, jewellery, or investments
- Estate agent or auction fees if selling probate property
- Maintenance, insurance, and utility costs for any property in the estate
If the estate doesn’t have immediate cash available, a probate loan can help cover these short-term expenses until assets are released.
How Executors Can Keep Probate Legal Fees to a Minimum
Acting as an executor carries legal responsibilities, but there are several practical ways to keep probate costs proportionate to the size and complexity of the estate.
Consider Whether You Need a Solicitor for the Entire Process
Many solicitors offer two levels of service:
- Grant-only probate service – the solicitor helps obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
- Full estate administration – the solicitor manages the entire probate process.
If the estate is relatively straightforward, some executors choose to instruct a solicitor only to obtain the grant and then carry out the remaining administration themselves. This can significantly reduce legal fees.
- Compare Probate Quotes
Obtaining two or three probate quotes before instructing a solicitor can help ensure the estate receives value for money. We make this easy with our probate cost comparison service.
- Organise the Estate Information Early
Legal costs often increase when solicitors must spend time locating documents or identifying assets. Executors can reduce professional fees by preparing key information in advance, including:
- bank and investment account details
- property information and valuations
- insurance policies
- pension documentation
- outstanding debts or liabilities
Providing a clear asset schedule can save significant professional time.
- Use a Grant-Only Service Where Appropriate
A grant-only probate service is often the most cost-effective way to obtain legal support.
The solicitor prepares the inheritance tax forms and probate application, but the executor deals with:
- collecting assets
- closing accounts
- paying debts
- distributing the estate
This hybrid approach provides professional support for the most technical stage of probate while keeping overall costs lower.
- Avoid Percentage-Based Probate Fees Where Possible
Some solicitors charge a percentage of the estate value, often between 1% and 5%.
On larger estates this can lead to substantial fees that may not reflect the actual work involved. Executors may wish to consider firms offering fixed fees or hourly rates (possibly capped) instead.
- Check Whether Probate Is Actually Required
Probate may not be necessary in some situations, such as where:
- assets were jointly owned
- the estate is small
- financial institutions agree to release funds without probate
If probate is not required, legal costs can often be avoided entirely.
- Seek Professional Advice Where the Estate Is Complex
While keeping costs down is important, executors must also ensure the estate is administered correctly.
Professional advice can be particularly valuable where the estate includes:
- inheritance tax issues
- overseas assets
- business interests
- disputes between beneficiaries
Although the estate will be payable to pay solicitors costs for probate advice, in these situations, obtaining legal guidance can prevent costly mistakes.
Compare Probate Quotes
Now you understand how solicitors charge for probate, it’s time to request probate quotes to compare. Via The Probate Network you can complete one simple form to receive three quotes from three different SRA regulated solicitors firms.
Probate Solicitors Costs – Frequently Asked Questions
Probate costs are usually paid from the deceased person’s estate. Executors may sometimes pay costs upfront in practice, but they are generally reimbursed from estate funds before the estate is distributed.
The cheapest way to obtain probate is usually to apply directly through the government probate service without using a solicitor. This approach may be suitable for simple estates where the assets are straightforward and there are no inheritance tax issues or disputes.
A probate solicitor helps executors deal with the legal and practical work involved in administering an estate. This can include valuing assets, preparing inheritance tax forms, applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, collecting in estate funds, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries
No, probate is not always required. It may not be needed if assets were held jointly, the estate is small, or banks and other institutions are willing to release funds without a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
The probate application fee is £300 for estates worth more than £5,000 in England and Wales. There is no fee for estates worth £5,000 or less, and extra official copies of the probate document cost £16 each
You will usually get the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration within 12 weeks of submitting the application. However, the full estate administration process often takes several months longer depending on the complexity of the estate, the assets involved, and whether property needs to be sold
You do not always need a solicitor for probate. Executors can often deal with probate themselves where the estate is straightforward, but many people choose legal help where there is property, inheritance tax, multiple assets, or any uncertainty about the process
Yes, probate fees are usually paid from the estate. This normally includes the probate application fee, solicitor fees, valuation costs, and other reasonable administration expenses before the remaining estate is distributed to beneficiaries.”
Yes, you can apply for probate yourself. GOV.UK says you can apply online or by post, which can be cheaper than paying a probate practitioner, although this is usually most suitable for simpler estates with clear assets and no major complications. If upfront costs such as Inheritance Tax or estate expenses are a concern, there are specialist loans for probate that can help cover these before estate assets are released.
