What are typical probate solicitor fees?

Probate solicitors charge by hourly rate (typically £150 to £400 per hour plus VAT), by a percentage of the estate (commonly 1% to 3%), or on a fixed fee basis. Fixed fees for a straightforward grant-only application typically range from £700 to £2,000 plus VAT. Always ask for a written estimate that makes clear what is and is not included.

Can I do probate myself to save money?

Yes. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor for a straightforward probate. The HMCTS online probate service at apply-for-probate.service.gov.uk guides you through the process. You will still pay the Probate Registry fee (£273 for estates over £5,000 as of May 2026; check current fees at gov.uk/court-fees), plus any disbursements, but you save the solicitor's professional fee.

Are percentage-based probate fees reasonable?

The Law Society does not recommend percentage-based fees because the work involved is not necessarily proportional to the estate size. On a large estate, a percentage fee can result in a very high charge for work that may be no more complex than a smaller estate. Always check whether the percentage applies to the gross or net estate and compare with fixed-fee or hourly-rate alternatives.

Who pays probate solicitor fees?

Probate solicitor fees are normally paid from the estate assets before any distribution to beneficiaries. They are treated as an administration expense and take priority over most other debts. The executor is not personally liable for the solicitor's fees unless they have personally guaranteed payment.

Can I switch solicitors mid-probate if I am unhappy?

Yes. You can instruct a new solicitor at any point, though you will need to settle any outstanding fees with the existing firm first, or the new solicitor can sometimes negotiate a transfer of the file. Ask the new firm about their process for taking over from another solicitor.

What is the difference between a Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration?

A Grant of Probate is issued when the deceased left a valid will and a willing executor. Letters of Administration are issued when someone dies without a will, or when there is no executor available or willing to act. Both documents give legal authority to deal with the estate. Together they are called a grant of representation.

How do I challenge an excessive probate solicitor bill?

First ask the firm to explain the itemised breakdown in writing. If you remain unhappy, complain using the firm's internal complaints procedure, then escalate to the Legal Ombudsman at legalombudsman.org.uk. You can also apply for a detailed assessment through the courts, typically within one month of receiving the bill.

Probate solicitor fees: what to expect and how to keep costs down

Understanding how probate solicitors charge can help you make an informed decision about whether to instruct one, compare quotes effectively, and avoid being overcharged. This guide covers the main fee structures, typical disbursements, and your options if you want to keep costs down.

How probate solicitors charge

Probate solicitors typically use one of three fee structures. Understanding these will help you compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.

Hourly rate

The solicitor charges for time spent on your matter. Rates vary widely by firm, location, and seniority. As an indicative guide based on market information available in 2025, hourly rates for probate work commonly range from around £150 to £400 per hour plus VAT. A straightforward grant-only application might take 5 to 10 hours; full estate administration for a complex estate can run to many times that. Always ask for a written estimate of hours and a fee cap where possible.

Percentage of the estate

Some firms charge a percentage of the gross estate value, commonly between 1% and 3%, sometimes with a minimum fee. For example, on a £400,000 estate at 1.5%, the professional fee would be £6,000 plus VAT at 20%, giving a total of £7,200 before disbursements. The Law Society does not recommend percentage-based fees because the work involved is not necessarily proportional to the estate size, but many firms still use this model. Always check whether the percentage applies to the gross or net estate and compare the resulting figure against hourly-rate or fixed-fee alternatives.

Fixed fee

A fixed fee gives you cost certainty. Some firms offer fixed fees for straightforward grant-only applications. As an indicative guide based on 2025 market information, these typically range from £700 to £2,000 plus VAT depending on complexity and firm size. Full estate administration on a fixed fee is less common and may be subject to additional charges if complications arise. Read the terms carefully.

VAT

All solicitor fees are subject to VAT at 20% unless you are using a firm that is not VAT-registered. Always confirm whether quoted figures include or exclude VAT. It is a legal requirement for fee estimates to be clear on this point.

Disbursements: the additional costs

Disbursements are costs paid to third parties on your behalf. They are in addition to the solicitor's fee and are not usually subject to VAT (though some are). Common probate disbursements include:

Probate Registry fee. £273 for estates over £5,000 as of May 2026 (no fee for estates under £5,000). Court fees change periodically — verify the current fee at gov.uk/court-fees before applying.
Office copies of the grant. £1.50 per copy. You will typically need several copies to send to banks and other institutions.
Land Registry fees. Charged when updating the register following a transfer or sale of property. Fees depend on the property value.
Bankruptcy searches. Usually around £2 per search per beneficiary.
Trustee Act notices. Placing a notice in The Gazette and a local newspaper to advertise for creditors costs around £200 to £300 in total.
Specialist valuations. RICS or estate agent valuations for property, professional valuations of jewellery, antiques, or business interests.

DIY probate: what you can do yourself

There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor for probate. Many families successfully handle straightforward estates themselves. The HMCTS online probate service at apply-for-probate.service.gov.uk guides you through the process. You still pay the Probate Registry fee and any other disbursements, but you save the solicitor's professional fee entirely.

DIY probate is most suitable where:

The estate is relatively simple with no business interests or overseas assets.
Inheritance Tax is not due or the calculations are straightforward.
There are no disputes between beneficiaries.
The deceased did not have significant debts.

If the estate is complicated, the time and risk of errors often outweigh the saving on professional fees.

When a solicitor is worth the cost

Professional help tends to be worth the cost when:

The estate includes property, business interests, or overseas assets.
Inheritance Tax is likely to be due and the calculations are complex.
There is a dispute between beneficiaries or a challenge to the will.
The deceased had significant debts or an insolvent estate.
You do not feel confident handling the paperwork and communications.

Executors who make errors in tax returns or distributions can be held personally liable. A professional who makes errors has professional indemnity insurance and can be held to account. For high-value or complex estates, the protection a solicitor provides often justifies the cost.

How to compare quotes effectively

When obtaining quotes from multiple firms, make sure each quote covers the same scope of work. Ask specifically:

Is this a grant-only service or full estate administration?
Does the fee include VAT?
What disbursements are included and which are additional?
What happens if the estate turns out to be more complex than anticipated?
Who will actually handle the work (a partner or a junior solicitor)?
What is the estimated timeline?

Under the SRA Transparency Rules, regulated solicitors are required to publish price and service information for probate. If a firm is not transparent about fees, consider whether that is a warning sign.

How to challenge an excessive bill

If you believe a solicitor's bill is unreasonably high, you have options. First, ask the firm to explain the itemised breakdown of charges in writing.

If you remain unhappy, you can:

Complain to the firm using their internal complaints procedure. All regulated solicitors must have one.
Contact the Legal Ombudsman at legalombudsman.org.uk if you cannot resolve the complaint with the firm. The Legal Ombudsman can order a firm to reduce its bill or pay compensation.
Apply for detailed assessment through the courts. This is a formal court process that scrutinises the bill line by line. You generally have one month from delivery of the bill to request this, though the court has discretion to extend this period.

You can also report concerns about a solicitor's conduct (as distinct from their fee level) to the Solicitors Regulation Authority at sra.org.uk.