The Government has announced significant changes to probate fees that will affect anyone acting as an Executor or Administrator of an estate in England and Wales.
Subject to parliamentary approval, these changes are due to come into effect on 13th July 2026.
The probate application fee will increase from £300 to £526 – a rise of more than 75%, meaning the cost has almost doubled in just two years.
There is some good news too : additional copies of a Grant of Probate requested at the time of application will cost just £2 each (down from £16). However, if ordered later, they will still cost £16 per copy.
These changes make early planning more important than ever. Executors should carefully consider how many copies of the Grant will be needed to avoid unnecessary costs and delays when dealing with banks, pension providers, insurers and other organisations.
While I don’t personally deal with probate matters, I’m always happy to offer guidance and can put you in touch with trusted probate specialists that I work closely with. If you need advice or aren’t sure where to start, please feel free to get in touch.