Executor Fees Calculator

What this executor fees calculator does

When someone dies, the person named in the will (the executor) — or an administrator where there is no will — is responsible for collecting the estate's assets, paying any debts and Inheritance Tax, and distributing what is left to the beneficiaries. This calculator estimates the cost of that work under the three routes UK families usually weigh up: hiring a solicitor, appointing a professional (bank or trust company) executor, or doing it yourself. It is built for executors, administrators and beneficiaries who want a realistic figure before signing an engagement letter, and for anyone deciding whether the convenience of a professional is worth the fee.

There is no government-set scale for executor remuneration in England and Wales. Solicitors typically charge either a percentage of the estate, an hourly rate, or the long-standing Law Society value element guideline, almost always plus 20% VAT. The one fixed, official cost is the probate court fee, which the calculator includes automatically. Use it to compare quotes, sanity-check a solicitor's estimate, and see how much you could save by administering a straightforward estate yourself.

How it works

Enter the gross value of the estate and how much of that is land and buildings (a solicitor's value element is charged at a lower rate on property than on the rest of the estate). Then choose the route:

• Law Society value element — 0.5% of the value of land and buildings plus 1% of the rest of the estate, plus 20% VAT. This is a guideline value charge and a solicitor may add a separate hourly time element on top.
• Solicitor or professional executor percentage — your estate value multiplied by the agreed percentage (commonly 1.5%–5%), plus 20% VAT.
• DIY — only the official gov.uk probate application fee of £300 (for estates over £5,000; free at £5,000 or less) plus £16 for each extra copy of the grant.

The calculator shows the fee, the VAT, an estimate of typical disbursements (the court fee, office copies, bankruptcy searches and statutory notices), the total, and how much a DIY application would save. All figures are estimates for guidance.

Worked example

Take an estate worth £400,000, of which the deceased's home accounts for £300,000, administered by a solicitor charging 2%, with 3 extra copies of the grant:

• Solicitor fee: £400,000 × 2% = £8,000
• VAT @ 20%: £1,600
• Professional fee including VAT: £9,600
• Typical disbursements (court fee £300 + 3 copies × £16 + ~£200 searches/notices): ~£548
• Estimated total: ~£10,148

By comparison, applying for probate yourself would cost just the £300 court fee plus £48 for three copies = £348, a potential saving of around £9,252 in professional fees. The Law Society value element alone for the same estate would be 0.5% × £300,000 + 1% × £100,000 = £2,500, or £3,000 including VAT, before any hourly time charges.

Frequently asked questions

How much do solicitors charge to administer an estate?

There is no fixed scale. Solicitors commonly charge between 1.5% and 5% of the gross estate, or an hourly rate, or the Law Society value element (0.5% of property plus 1% of the rest) often combined with an hourly time element. VAT at 20% is added to all of these. For larger estates many firms cap the value element at around 4% of the gross estate plus VAT. Always ask for a written, all-inclusive quote.

What is the official probate court fee in 2026?

The gov.uk probate application fee is £300 if the estate is worth more than £5,000, and there is no fee if it is £5,000 or less. Extra copies of the grant cost £16 each, and a second application (for example after holding power reserved) costs £21. These are the only statutory probate fees — everything a solicitor charges on top is for their professional service.

Can a lay executor (a family member) be paid?

Generally no. An executor who is not acting in a professional capacity can normally only reclaim out-of-pocket expenses (such as the court fee, travel and postage), not a fee for their time — unless the will contains an express charging clause permitting payment, or all the beneficiaries agree. Professional executors named in the will, such as a solicitor or bank, can charge under the will's terms.

Is it worth doing probate myself?

For a straightforward estate — a single property, a few bank accounts and a clear will with no Inheritance Tax dispute — applying yourself can save many thousands of pounds, as this calculator shows. A solicitor is usually worth the fee where the estate is complex, contested, includes business or foreign assets, or where Inheritance Tax planning is involved.

Source: Probate fees confirmed against GOV.UK — Applying for probate: Fees (£300 application fee, £16 per extra copy). Solicitor remuneration figures reflect the non-statutory Law Society guideline rates and common market practice.