The cost of probate depends almost entirely on the route you take. Do everything yourself for free via GOV.UK, use a platform like ours for a fixed fee, or instruct a solicitor and potentially pay thousands. This guide breaks down every cost you might encounter and helps you decide which approach makes sense for your situation.
What are the unavoidable government fees?
Whatever route you choose, these costs are fixed and cannot be avoided.
The Probate Registry application fee
When you submit your probate application, HM Courts and Tribunals Service charges a fee of £526 if the value of the estate is £5,000 or over. There is no fee for estates valued under £5,000. This is a government fee paid directly to the Probate Registry and is the same regardless of whether you apply yourself or use a solicitor.
Additional official copies of the Grant
Once your Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration is issued, you will almost certainly need several official copies to send to banks, mortgage lenders, investment platforms, and other financial organisations simultaneously. Each official copy costs £2. Most estates need between three and ten copies, so it is worth ordering enough upfront rather than requesting more later at additional cost.
Death certificates
You will need multiple certified copies of the death certificate when you register the death. These cost £11 each. Ordering several at the outset saves time chasing them later.
Statutory advertisement in The Gazette
Placing a notice in The Gazette (and optionally a local paper) protects you as executor against future creditor claims. If a creditor comes forward after the estate has been distributed and you placed a notice, liability passes to the beneficiaries rather than remaining with you personally. The Gazette charges around £70 plus VAT for this notice.
How much does a probate solicitor cost?
Solicitor fees for probate vary widely and are rarely straightforward. Many firms still charge by the hour, and quotes for a standard estate commonly run to £1,500 to £5,000+. For larger or more complex estates, or where a solicitor charges a percentage of the estate value, fees can reach £10,000 to £20,000 or more.
Even “fixed-price probate” from a solicitor or specialist provider tends to be quoted on application once they have assessed the estate’s complexity. The published figure is rarely the final one. Extras such as completing IHT forms, dealing with property, or handling multiple bank accounts are often priced separately. Always ask exactly what is and is not included before agreeing to anything.
It is also worth noting that much of the information-gathering work — contacting banks, valuing assets, locating the will, gathering documents — still falls to you as executor even when you use a solicitor. They complete the forms with the information you provide.
What does DIY probate cost?
Applying for probate yourself via GOV.UK costs only the unavoidable government fees listed above. There are no professional fees to pay. You complete form PA1P (with a will) or PA1A (without a will) and the relevant HMRC inheritance tax forms yourself, value the estate yourself, and submit everything directly.
What does YouCanDoProbate cost, and what does it include?
YouCanDoProbate charges a single fixed fee of £499 inc. VAT. There are no hidden extras, no hourly charges, and no percentage of the estate taken.
For that fee, the platform completes all of the following on your behalf:
- Probate application forms PA1P or PA1A, completed automatically from your answers
- Full IHT400 inheritance tax return, including all supplementary schedules where required
- Every IHT exemption and calculation, including nil rate band, residence nil rate band, transferred allowances, and gifts
- Unlimited UK-based expert support by phone, email, live chat, and support ticket
- Secure cloud storage of all your workings and submitted documents
The only additional costs are the standard government fees: the £526 Probate Registry fee plus £2 per official copy of the Grant you need.
