How Much Does Probate Cost?
When someone dies, the last thing their family needs is uncertainty about legal costs. At Curtis Legal, we quote a fixed fee before any work begins. That fee does not change unless the information you give us turns out to be materially incorrect or the estate’s circumstances change significantly.
Speak to Simon Jenkins — Free, No Obligation
Call us today for an honest assessment of the estate. No jargon, no pressure.
How We Calculate Our Probate Fee
Every estate is different. Our fee is based on four factors: the size of the estate, who it is being left to, whether inheritance tax applies, and whether the estate includes a property. We do not add hidden extras after the fact. What we quote is what you pay.
Our fees are very competitive and start at under £1,000 for grant only applications. All estates are quoted individually based on the amount of work that we anticipate will be necessary to conclude the estate administration process. We utilise a bespoke case management system to ensure that all cases are progressed as quickly and efficiently as possible and to ensure that Clients are regularly updated throughout the process.
All fees are exclusive of VAT at 20% and disbursements, which are listed separately and explained in full before work begins.
What Will Probate Cost? Get an Estimate in 60 Seconds
Answer three quick questions and see a fee estimate based on the estate — no personal details required to start.
📊 Get Fee EstimateProbate Cost Examples
These examples illustrate how our fees are calculated. They are for guidance only — your written quote will be tailored to your specific estate.
Simple estate
+ VAT and disbursements
- Grant of probate obtained
- Assets collected and distributed
- Surviving spouse as sole beneficiary
- No IHT filing required
Range £2,000 – £3,000
Standard estate
+ VAT and disbursements
- Several beneficiaries handled
- Bank accounts and investments closed
- Full estate accounts prepared
- Distribution to multiple parties
Range £3,000 – £4,500
Estate with IHT
+ VAT and disbursements
- Asset valuations carried out
- IHT400 forms completed
- HMRC correspondence managed
- Tax paid before grant issued
Range £6,000 – £8,000
Does the estate include a property?
Conveyancing handled in-houseTransfer to a beneficiary
Title investigation, Land Registry update, and execution of the transfer.
£500 – £750 + VAT
Sale of property
Liaising with estate agents, managing the sale alongside the estate.
£1,000 – £2,000 + VAT
Estate agent fees are charged directly by the agent and are separate from our fixed fee. All expected third-party costs are confirmed on your written quote before any work begins.
What Our Fee Includes
For all estates, our fixed fee covers:
- Initial assessment and advice on whether probate is required
- Identifying and valuing estate assets and liabilities
- Preparing and submitting the probate application to the Probate Registry
- Obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
- Collecting estate assets and settling liabilities
- Preparing estate accounts
- Distributing the estate to beneficiaries
- Correspondence with HMRC where required
- Liaising with banks, financial institutions, and asset holders throughout
Where the estate includes a property, our fee also covers:
- Advising on any restrictions, charges, or complications on the title
- Advising on the legal title and options for transfer or sale
- Liaising with the appointed conveyancer throughout the sale process
- Ensuring title is correctly transferred or discharged on completion
Speak to Simon Jenkins — Free, No Obligation
Call us today for an honest assessment of the estate. No jargon, no pressure.
Disbursements — Costs Paid on Your Behalf
Disbursements are third-party costs that fall outside our professional fee. They are always listed on your written quote before work begins. Standard disbursements include:
- Probate court fee — £300 (payable to HMCTS)
- Office copy entries — approximately £3–£7 per title
- Bankruptcy searches — approximately £2 per beneficiary
- Statutory notices — where placed in the London Gazette and a local newspaper to protect the estate against unknown creditors (optional but recommended)
"Handled everything professionally and with real compassion."
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No Upfront Payment Required and Funeral Fees Paid
Our probate fees are typically settled from the estate funds during the administration process — we do not ask you for any money on account of costs so you do not need to find funds personally before work begins. In addition we will also pay the cost of the funeral interest free and reimburse you any out of pocket expenses when required.
How to Get a Probate Costs Quote from Curtis Legal
Gather Basic Information About the Estate
Before calling, have a rough idea of the estate’s value, whether it includes property, whether inheritance tax is likely, and how many beneficiaries are involved. You do not need exact figures at this stage.
Call Simon Jenkins or Complete the Online Enquiry Form
The initial discussion is free and there is no obligation. Simon will ask a few straightforward questions about the estate to understand its complexity and give you a realistic guide to the likely probate costs.
Receive Your Written Fixed-Fee Quote
Following the initial discussion, Curtis Legal will provide a written costs estimate setting out the fixed solicitor fee, the court fee, and any anticipated disbursements — all clearly itemised before any work begins.
Instruct Us to Begin
Once you are happy with the quote, we confirm instructions in writing and begin work immediately. There are no upfront costs to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Probate Costs
What is the probate court fee in England and Wales?
The HMCTS probate application fee is currently £300 for estates valued at over £5,000. There is no fee for estates worth £5,000 or less. This flat fee applies regardless of estate size and whether you instruct a solicitor or apply yourself.
How much do solicitors charge for probate?
At Curtis Legal, probate costs are quoted as a fixed fee agreed in writing before any work begins. Guide figures range from £1,000 plus VAT for a simple estate with no property or inheritance tax, up to £6,500 plus VAT for a complex estate over £1,000,000 with inheritance tax to pay. Call 0800 214 216 for a free, no-obligation estimate.
Are there any hidden probate costs?
No. At Curtis Legal all probate costs — including disbursements such as Land Registry office copies, bankruptcy searches and Trustee Act notices — are listed separately and shown clearly in your written costs information before we begin.
Can I do probate myself to save money?
Yes. The £300 court fee still applies but you would save on solicitor fees. For straightforward estates with no property, no inheritance tax and no family disputes, DIY probate is feasible. For anything more complex, the fixed-fee solicitor route typically represents better value when you factor in the risk of mistakes and the time involved.
What are disbursements in a probate matter?
Disbursements are third-party costs that arise during the probate process, separate from solicitor fees. Common disbursements include Land Registry office copy entries at approximately £3 to £6 per title, bankruptcy searches at approximately £2 per beneficiary, and Trustee Act notices at £150 to £300. All disbursements are shown clearly in your written estimate.
How is inheritance tax paid if assets are tied up in property?
HMRC offers an instalment option that allows inheritance tax on property to be paid in ten annual instalments rather than as a lump sum before the Grant of Probate is issued. Simon Jenkins can advise on the most appropriate approach for managing inheritance tax payments in your specific circumstances.
Get a Fixed Probate Costs Quote from Curtis Legal
Curtis Legal provides transparent, fixed probate costs agreed in writing before any work begins. Simon Jenkins personally handles every probate matter — you will always deal directly with your solicitor, not a junior member of staff.
Call 0800 214 216 for a free, no-obligation discussion about the estate and to receive a written probate costs estimate.
Simon Jenkins has over 30 years of experience in probate, estate administration, medical negligence and personal injury. All articles on this site are written or reviewed by Simon before publication.
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