Increase in Probate fees from today | What Executors need to know

From today, 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 at more than £5,000. At the same time, the cost of ordering additional sealed copies of the Grant as part of the application will reduce significantly, from £16 to £2 per copy.

These changes are part of wider reforms to court and tribunal fees and mean that, for many families, the cost of administering an estate will increase. As probate is often an essential step in the estate administration process, understanding what is involved and obtaining the right advice can be invaluable.

What does this mean for Executors?

Probate fees usually come out of the estate, but in practice, Executors often have to find the money upfront before they can access the estate assets to repay themselves.  This means an extra £226 needs to be paid at the same time as other early costs such as funeral expenses, valuation fees and any inheritance tax due.

Administering an estate involves a range of legal and financial responsibilities. Personal representatives (executors or administrators) are responsible for:

• Identifying and valuing the deceased's assets and liabilities.
• Completing any required Inheritance Tax reporting.
• Paying outstanding debts, taxes and estate expenses.
• Collecting and safeguarding estate assets.
• Preparing estate accounts.
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or, where there is no valid Will, the Rules of Intestacy.

Executors and administrators have significant legal duties and, in certain circumstances, may be held personally liable if errors are made during the administration process. Seeking professional guidance can help ensure these responsibilities are carried out correctly.

What is probate?

A Grant of Probate is the legal document that confirms the authority of the executors named in a Will to deal with the deceased's estate. If someone dies without leaving a valid Will, the court issues Letters of Administration, giving the appointed administrators the legal authority to administer the estate.
In many cases, banks, building societies, investment providers and other financial institutions require a Grant before they will release or transfer assets. Once the Grant has been obtained, the personal representatives can continue with the formal administration of the estate.

How we can help?

While some estates are relatively straightforward, others can be considerably more complex, particularly where there are multiple properties, business interests, Inheritance Tax considerations or disputes between beneficiaries.

We can help ensure that the estate is administered efficiently, legal obligations are met, deadlines are complied with and potential risks are minimised. At what is often a difficult and emotional time, having expert support can provide reassurance and ease the burden on those responsible for administering the estate.

If you would like advice or assistance with probate or estate administration, please do not hesitate to contact our team on 01926 491181 or emailing pcnewenquiries@moore-tibbits.co.uk.