Probate costs in 2026: England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Court fees for probate and confirmation in each part of the UK, how solicitors charge for estate administration, and when you may not need a grant at all.
When someone dies, the person dealing with their estate usually needs legal authority before banks and other organisations will release money or property. That authority has a different name, and a different court fee, in each part of the UK. This guide covers the official fees, what solicitors charge, and how to compare quotes.
The official court fees
| What it's called | Court fee | |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | Grant of probate, or letters of administration if there's no will | £526 if the estate is worth more than £5,000. No fee at £5,000 or less. |
| Scotland | Confirmation | No fee up to £50,000; £351 from £50,000.01 to £250,000; £705 above £250,000 |
| Northern Ireland | Grant of probate, or letters of administration | Set by the Probate Office according to the value of the estate. Check nidirect for the current fee. |
The fee in England and Wales rose from £300 to £526 on 13 July 2026, so older guides and quotes may show the lower figure. Scotland's confirmation fees shown here apply from 1 April 2026.
How each system works
England and Wales
Executors apply to HM Courts and Tribunals Service, usually online. If inheritance tax forms are needed, they go to HMRC first. You can apply yourself, pay a solicitor to obtain the grant only, or have them handle the whole estate.
Scotland
Scotland has no probate. Executors apply to the sheriff court for confirmation, using an inventory of the estate, and the work of winding up the estate is called executry. Estates of £36,000 or less can use a simpler small estate procedure, where the sheriff clerk's office can help you complete the forms.
Northern Ireland
Applications go to the Probate Office in the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, which handles grants for the whole of Northern Ireland. You can make a personal application yourself through nidirect or instruct a solicitor. The law on who inherits when there's no will also differs from England and Wales.
What solicitors charge
Solicitors usually offer two levels of service.
- Grant only. The firm prepares the application and tax forms and obtains the grant or confirmation. You then collect the assets and pay out the estate yourself. This is usually a fixed fee.
- Full estate administration. The firm does everything: valuing assets, dealing with banks and pension providers, selling or transferring property, paying debts and tax, and distributing the estate. Firms charge a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the estate's value. Percentages can add up quickly on larger estates, so ask for an estimate in pounds.
Firms regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in England and Wales must publish their prices for uncontested probate where all the assets are in the UK. That makes it easier to compare like with like.
Remember that VAT at 20% is charged on the legal fee, and disbursements such as the court fee, copies of the grant, property valuations and notices in The Gazette are added on top.
Inheritance tax
Inheritance tax applies across the whole UK, with the same rules in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Most estates pay none, because of the £325,000 nil-rate band, the extra residence nil-rate band of up to £175,000 when a home passes to children or grandchildren, and the exemption for gifts to a spouse or civil partner. If tax is due, some of it usually has to be paid before the grant is issued.
When you might not need a grant
You may not need probate or confirmation if the estate is small, or if everything was owned jointly and passes automatically to the survivor. Each bank or building society sets its own limit for releasing money without a grant, so ask each one. Property owned solely by the person who died almost always needs a grant before it can be sold.
Frequently asked questions
How much does probate cost in 2026?
In England and Wales the court fee is £526 for estates over £5,000. In Scotland, confirmation costs nothing up to £50,000, then £351 or £705. Solicitors' fees are on top and vary widely, from a few hundred pounds for a grant-only service to several thousand for full administration.
Is probate cheaper in Scotland?
The court fee can be. A Scottish estate worth up to £50,000 pays no fee, and one worth £200,000 pays £351, compared with £526 in England and Wales. Larger Scottish estates pay £705.
Can I do probate myself?
Yes, in all three systems. It makes most sense for simple estates with a will, a few bank accounts and no inheritance tax. Consider a solicitor if there's property to sell, a business, assets abroad, or any dispute.
Sources
- Applying for probate: fees (GOV.UK)
- Sheriff court fees (Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service)
- Dealing with a deceased's estate in Scotland (Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service)
- Probate in Northern Ireland (nidirect)
- Inheritance tax (GOV.UK)
This guide is general information about the law and fees at the date shown, not legal advice for your situation. Rates and court fees change, so check the official sources linked above or ask a solicitor before you rely on a figure.