Fixed-fee probate sounds straightforward but the quality of what you actually get for the fee varies enormously between firms. A genuinely comprehensive fixed-fee probate quote should cover every stage from initial advice through to final distribution and estate accounts. A more limited quote may cover only the application for the grant, leaving the executor to do the rest of the work themselves. Knowing which you are being offered is essential before you instruct anyone. Here we explain exactly what you need to know about fixed-fee probate and the questions to ask before agreeing a price.
Plain-English guide written by Simon Jenkins — covering every stage of the probate process.
What fixed-fee probate should mean
At Curtis Legal we use the term fixed-fee probate to mean a single agreed price covering all the legal work from start to finish. That includes the initial meeting, identifying and valuing the assets, preparing the inheritance tax forms, applying for the grant, collecting in the assets, settling debts, distributing the estate to the beneficiaries and producing the final estate accounts.
Some firms use the same words to mean only the grant application stage. The difference in cost between a full-service fixed fee and a grant-only fixed fee can be £2,000 or more, so the wording really matters.
What should be included as standard
A proper fixed-fee probate quote should include all correspondence with banks, pension providers, share registrars, HMRC, the Probate Registry and the beneficiaries. It should include preparing the inheritance tax position (IHT205 information or full IHT400 as required), preparing and submitting the probate application, the statutory notices under section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925, and the production of final estate accounts.
It should also include reasonable telephone calls and meetings with the executor. Some firms charge separately for these. Always ask.
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What is usually excluded
Disbursements are not normally included in the fixed fee because they are paid to third parties. The standard disbursements are the £300 Probate Registry fee for estates over £5,000, the cost of statutory notices in The Gazette and a local newspaper (around £250 to £300 in total), bankruptcy searches against each beneficiary (£2 per search) and occasionally the cost of professional valuations.
Conveyancing for the sale of any property is usually treated as a separate matter with its own fee. So is the management of any contentious probate dispute or Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claim — these are litigation and cannot fairly be priced upfront.
Typical fixed-fee probate prices in 2026
Genuinely fixed full-service probate fees in 2026 typically range from around £1,500 plus VAT for a simple non-taxable estate up to around £5,000 plus VAT for a complex taxable estate with multiple properties and beneficiaries. Estates with unusual assets, business interests or potential disputes are usually charged on a capped hourly basis rather than a fixed fee because the work is genuinely unpredictable. The GOV.UK fee guidance shows the current court fees.
The 2026 inheritance tax position remains £325,000 nil-rate band plus up to £175,000 residence nil-rate band, with 40% above. Our wider guide to probate costs sets out the full pricing structure.
Questions to ask before agreeing a fixed fee
Before agreeing a fixed-fee probate quote, ask the firm in writing to confirm: what work is included, what work is excluded, what happens if the estate turns out to be more complex than first thought, whether VAT is on top, what the disbursements will be, and how progress will be reported. A good firm will answer all of this clearly.
You should also ask who will actually do the work. A fixed fee delivered by a paralegal supervised at distance is not the same as a fee delivered by a solicitor handling the file personally. See our probate process page for more on how we work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does fixed-fee probate include?
A full fixed-fee probate quote should cover all legal work from initial advice through to final estate accounts including tax forms, grant application, collecting assets, settling debts and distribution.
How much is fixed-fee probate in 2026?
Genuinely full-service fixed fees range from around £1,500 plus VAT for a simple estate up to £5,000 plus VAT for a complex taxable estate. Disbursements are charged on top.
Are disbursements included in fixed-fee probate?
Usually no. The court fee, statutory notices and bankruptcy searches are paid to third parties and are charged at cost in addition to the fixed fee.
What is the difference between fixed-fee probate and percentage fees?
Percentage fees charge a proportion of the estate, often 1% to 5%, which rarely reflects the actual work involved. Fixed fees give certainty up front and tend to be fairer for larger estates.
Can a fixed-fee probate quote change after the work starts?
Only if the scope changes materially. A responsible firm will discuss any unexpected complication with you before doing extra work and agree any revised fee in writing first.
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Written by Simon Jenkins, solicitor and director of Curtis Legal Limited (SRA 167489)
