From 13 July 2026, the cost of applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration in England and Wales is set to rise sharply – from £300 to £526. That’s a 75% increase, and it’s one of the steepest rises in the Ministry of Justice’s latest round of court and tribunal fee changes, far outpacing the inflation-linked increases applied to most other fees.

What probate actually involves…
Probate is the legal process of administering someone’s estate after they’ve passed away. Where there’s a valid will, the named executors apply for a Grant of Probate; where there isn’t, an eligible family member usually needs to apply for Letters of Administration instead. Either document gives the personal representative the legal authority to collect the deceased’s assets, pay off debts, deal with any inheritance tax due, and distribute what’s left to beneficiaries. Without it, banks and property registries typically won’t release funds or transfer ownership.

The numbers
Estates valued over £5,000 currently pay £300 for a probate application. From 13 July, that rises to £526 – an increase of £226 per application, subject to parliamentary approval. There’s a small silver lining; the fee for requesting copies of probate documents alongside an application is actually falling, from £16 to £2.

Why the increase?
The Ministry of Justice says the new fee reflects the cost of running and modernising the probate service, and accounts for accumulated inflation. 

What it means for executors and families
Probate fees usually come out of the estate, but in practice executors often have to find the money upfront, before they can access estate assets to repay themselves. That means an extra £226 lands at the same time as other early costs such as funeral expenses, property upkeep, valuation fees, and any inheritance tax due. For large estates, that will feel like a smaller dent. For more modest estates, it can be a genuinely significant extra cost at an already difficult time.

There’s also likely to be a rush of applications in the weeks before 13 July, as executors and solicitors try to beat the deadline which may add short-term pressure to an already stretched service and is worth bearing in mind if you’re considering timing your application.

What executors should do now
If you’re currently dealing with an estate, it’s worth getting advice early to understand the costs involved and make sure everything is in order. That includes:

• Identifying all assets and liabilities
• Confirming whether a Grant of Probate is actually required
• Getting appropriate valuations done
• Considering any inheritance tax obligations
• Gathering the documents needed for the application

Acting early and accurately can help avoid unnecessary delays.

How Atterbury Payne can help
Our Wills and Probate team supports executors, administrators and beneficiaries through every stage of estate administration, including probate applications, Letters of Administration, inheritance tax considerations, and probate or inheritance disputes.

If you need guidance on a probate matter (including how this fee change might affect your timing) please get in touch with our team.

This blog is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every estate is different, so please speak to a qualified solicitor about your specific circumstances.