How much does probate cost in 2025/26?

Court fees: £273 in England/Wales (estates over £5,000), £261-£554 in Scotland depending on value, up to £261 in NI. Solicitor fees typically 1.5-4% of estate value. Total cost on a £500k estate: £8,000-£15,000.

Can I do probate without a solicitor?

Yes — for simple estates with a clear will, single property, savings only, and no contested elements. The HMCTS Probate Service provides DIY guidance. DIY costs limited to £500-£1,000.

How long does estate administration take?

9-12 months for straightforward estates. 18-24+ months for complex estates (multiple properties, foreign assets, business interests, contested wills, missing beneficiaries).

What's the IHT excepted estate threshold?

Estates below £3m (raised from £1m in 2024) where no IHT is due qualify as 'excepted' and don't need full IHT400 — simplified IHT205 reporting only. Most estates of typical homeowners now qualify.

Are executor expenses reimbursable?

Yes — reasonable expenses are reimbursed from the estate (travel, postage, valuation fees). Executors are not paid for time unless professional executors specifically authorised in the will.

Can the property be sold before probate?

Generally no — Grant of Probate is needed to transfer property title. Some lenders may release funds for funeral or essential bills before probate.

What happens if there's no will?

Intestacy rules apply (different in each UK nation). Letters of Administration (E&W) replace Probate. The administrator is determined by statute (usually surviving spouse, then children). Costs similar to probate but timeline can be longer due to identifying beneficiaries.

Are estate administration costs deductible from IHT?

Yes — reasonable funeral expenses (up to £5,000), administration costs, and debts are deducted from gross estate before IHT calculation. Foreign administration costs may also qualify under double taxation rules.

Estate Administration Cost Calculator UK 2025/26

UK estate administration in 2025/26

Administering a deceased's estate in England and Wales typically follows these stages:

Register the death (free) and obtain death certificates.
Locate the will and identify executors. If no will, identify intestacy beneficiaries.
Value the estate — property, investments, savings, debts. Professional valuations may be needed for property (RICS surveyor £300-£800), antiques/jewellery (auctioneer fees), business interests (accountancy fees).
File IHT account (IHT400) — required if estate is taxable or "excepted" rules don't apply. Excepted threshold is £3m if no IHT due (raised from £1m in early 2025).
Pay any IHT due within 6 months of death (interest accrues thereafter).
Apply for probate (or letters of administration) — court fee £273 for estates over £5,000.
Distribute the estate per will or intestacy rules.
Final accounts and beneficiary discharges.

DIY vs solicitor: For simple estates (single property, savings, no IHT, no business interests), DIY is feasible — costs limited to court fee (£273), valuations (£500), and time. For complex estates, solicitor fees of 1.5%-4% are typical, with the higher end for foreign assets, contested wills, or substantial business interests.

Costs and timeline for typical estates

Typical timeline:

Day 0-1: Death, registration, will located.
Week 2-4: Estate valuation underway.
Month 2-3: IHT400 filed, IHT due within 6 months.
Month 3-5: Probate granted.
Month 6-10: Assets gathered, debts paid, distributions made.
Month 10-12: Final accounts, beneficiary releases.

Total typical timeline 9-12 months for a straightforward estate; 18-24 months for complex (foreign assets, business interests, contested).

Cost categories:

Court / probate fee: £273 (E&W).
Solicitor fees: 1.5% (£500k simple), 2.5% (medium), 4% (complex). Often capped or hourly rates available.
Valuations: £300-£2,000 depending on assets.
Indemnity insurance: £200-£500 to protect executors against claims.
Accountancy: £500-£3,000 for inheritance tax computations and final tax returns.
Title deeds searches, land registry: £100-£300.
Tax on income/gains during administration: variable.

For a £500,000 medium-complexity estate, expect total costs of £10,000-£15,000 (~2-3%). For a £2m complex estate, £40,000-£80,000 (~2-4%).

Three worked examples (UK 2025/26)

Example 1: £200k simple estate (single property)

Single property £180k + savings £20k. Single beneficiary (child). DIY probate.

Costs: Probate fee £273 + property valuation £500 + indemnity insurance £200 = ~£1,000 total. No solicitor needed if executors comfortable. IHT below £325k NRB → £0 IHT.

Example 2: £500k medium estate via solicitor

£500k estate, multiple beneficiaries, some shares, professional executor used.

Costs: Probate £273 + solicitor 2.5% × £500k = £12,500 + valuations £800 + accountancy £1,500 = ~£15,000 total. Plus IHT depending on circumstances.

Example 3: £2m complex estate with business interests

£2m estate including £400k business, foreign property £200k, multiple investment accounts. Complex.

Costs: Probate £273 + solicitor 3.5% × £2m = £70,000 + business valuation £3,000 + RICS valuations £2,500 + accountancy £4,000 = ~£80,000 total. Plus IHT planning.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming all estates need a solicitor — simple cases can DIY for under £1,500.
Not getting probate quotes — solicitor fees vary wildly. Compare 3-4 firms.
Forgetting income/CGT during administration period — separate tax computations needed.
Distributing before all debts are settled — executor liable to creditors for 12 months.
Not advertising for creditors (statutory notices) — provides legal protection from late claims.
Missing the 6-month IHT payment deadline — 7.75% interest accrues (2025/26 rate).
Underestimating timeline — straightforward estates take 9-12 months; complex 18-24+.

When to use this calculator

Use this calculator when planning your own estate (to anticipate costs your beneficiaries will face), as an executor estimating professional fees, or when comparing quotes from solicitors. Re-run after asset acquisitions to update estimates. Share with family alongside your will so they're prepared.

Regional differences (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Probate procedures and fees vary by UK nation. England & Wales: £273 court fee, Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Scotland: Confirmation rather than Probate; sliding scale fees from £261 (under £50k) to £554 (over £100k); separate small estates procedure. Northern Ireland: Up to £261, similar to E&W procedure but separate court system. Solicitor fees and valuations are broadly comparable across the UK. Inheritance Tax is UK-wide regardless of where the deceased lived.

Estate Administration Cost Calculator — UK 2025/26