From 13 July 2026, the court fee for applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration will increase from £300 to £526 for estates valued over £5,000. At the same time, the cost of ordering additional copies of the Grant when requested as part of the application will reduce from £16 to £2 per copy. These changes form part of wider reforms to court and tribunal fees. 

For many, probate fees are an unavoidable part of the estate administration process, making it more important than ever to understand what is involved and to seek advice where needed.

What does estate administration involve?

Administering an estate can be a time-consuming and complex process. Personal representatives are responsible for:

• Identifying and valuing assets and liabilities.
• Dealing with Inheritance Tax reporting requirements.
• Paying any outstanding debts and expenses.
• Dealing with relevant tax matters.
• Collecting in estate assets.
• Preparing estate accounts.
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or the Rules of Intestacy.

Executors and administrators have important legal responsibilities and can, in some circumstances, be held personally liable if mistakes are made during the administration of an estate.

What is probate?

A Grant of Probate is the legal document which confirms the authority of the executors named in a Will to administer the deceased's estate. Where a person dies without a valid Will, a Grant of Letters of Administration is the legal document which provides similar authority to administer the estate and collect in assets. 

The Grant is often required before banks, financial institutions, share registrars and other organisations will release or transfer assets. 

Once the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration has been obtained, the personal representatives can continue the formal process of administering the estate.

How professional advice can help

While some estates are relatively straightforward, others may involve property, business interests, Inheritance Tax issues or disputes between beneficiaries. Professional advice can help ensure that the estate is administered correctly, deadlines are met and potential risks are avoided.

At what is often a difficult and emotional time, having expert support can ease the burden on executors and provide reassurance that the administration is being handled efficiently and in accordance with the law.

For support or advice with probate, please contact me.