Grieving families in the United Kingdom are set to face a substantial 75% increase in probate fees, with the cost of applying for probate rising from £300 to £526 on July 13. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) stated the hike is intended to recover the costs of an "ever-improving service" and to account for rising inflation and investment in efficiency.
Probate documents are required to administer the estate of a deceased person. Individuals must pay the application fee if the estate is valued at more than £5,000; smaller estates are exempt. This is the second increase in probate fees in recent years, following a rise from £273 to £300 in 2024 when Rishi Sunak was Prime Minister. Unlike the previous increase, which was preceded by a public consultation, this latest hike has not undergone public consultation.
Consumer rights experts have criticized the move, with Scott Dixon from The Complaints Resolver calling it "shocking" and an attempt to "exploit grieving families." Dixon expressed doubt that the increase could be justified by service improvements, noting that past fee rises had not addressed existing delays and backlogs in the probate system.
Applying for probate grants executors the authority to manage an estate, including accessing bank accounts, settling debts, and distributing bequests. According to Co-op Legal Services, approximately half of all families require probate after a death. The impending fee increase has led some probate solicitors to anticipate a surge in applications before the July 13 deadline.
While the main application fee is increasing, a new, separate reduced fee of £2 will be introduced for those requesting copies of probate documents concurrently with their application, down from £16. Previously, the cost of obtaining copies of probate grants, wills, and letters of administration had increased significantly from £1.50 to £16 in late 2025.
Concerns about probate delays and their impact on bereaved families persist. Some inheritance professionals report that delays are causing financial hardship and even leading to the collapse of house sales. A 2024 report to MPs had previously criticized the probate service for being error-prone and understaffed.
A spokesperson for the MoJ emphasized the government's commitment to a "smooth, swift and simple" probate service, asserting that the new fee reflects the full cost of improvements that have enabled disputes to be resolved in as little as two weeks. The department also noted that fee increases are a last resort, driven by inflation and investment needs. Help is available through a "help with fees" scheme for those facing financial hardship, and the worst-off will not be required to pay any fees.
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at AJ Bell, described the fee hike as adding "insult to injury" for those already managing complex post-death administration. Laura Bywater, a partner at JMW Solicitors, expressed hope that the increased fee would translate into a significantly improved service, addressing the current months-long waiting times for applications.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service reported that the time taken to resolve probate cases has more than halved since 2023 due to investments in staff and system enhancements. This probate fee increase is part of a broader trend, with the Ministry of Justice also raising 170 court and tribunal fees by 2.6% and 27 other fees by an average of one-third, effective July 13.