Probate is the legal right to deal with someone’s estate. Executors usually apply for a grant of probate after valuing the estate and reporting it to HMRC. The application fee is £526 for an estate worth more than £5,000.
Grant of probate or letters of administration?
If there is a will, the executors apply for a grant of probate. If there is no will, the next of kin apply for letters of administration. In most cases one of these is needed before banks and others will release the estate's money.
The steps
- Value the estate. Work out what the person owned at the date of death: their home and other property, savings, shares, possessions and other investments.
- Report to HMRC. If inheritance tax is owed, report the estate on form IHT400. If the estate is an "excepted estate", you do not need to send full details and can apply for probate straight away (gov.uk).
- Pay any inheritance tax. If tax is owed, you normally have to pay some of it before probate is granted (gov.uk). Tax is due by the end of the sixth month after the death, and HMRC charges interest after that.
- Apply for probate. Apply with the original will and pay the fee.
- Collect and distribute. With the grant, the executors collect the assets, pay any debts and pass each gift to the beneficiaries.
How much does probate cost?
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application, estate worth more than £5,000 | £526 |
| Application, estate worth £5,000 or less | No fee |
| Extra official copies, ordered with the application | £2 each |
| Extra official copies, ordered later | £16 each |
Source: gov.uk probate fees, checked 23 October 2026. The application fee rose from £300 to £526 on 13 July 2026. Professional fees and any tax are on top.
How long does it take?
It varies with the estate and with how busy the probate registry is. It can take several months to receive the grant, and longer to finish dealing with the estate.
Getting help
A professional executor can make sure the deceased's wishes are carried out efficiently. Digilegal Trustees administers estates for a fixed fee, and instructs solicitors to prepare the probate papers.
Common questions
Do I always need probate?
Not always. You may not need probate if the person only had savings, or owned money, shares or property jointly so that it passes automatically to the survivor. Every bank and organisation has its own rules, so ask each one (gov.uk).
Who pays the probate fee?
The fee is paid from the estate. It is £526 if the estate is worth more than £5,000, and there is no fee for smaller estates.