Does the Executor Have to Pay for Probate?
No. The executor does not personally pay probate costs from their own money. All reasonable estate administration expenses, including the £273 court fee and any professional fees, are paid from the estate's funds.
In practice, there can be a short timing gap. Bank accounts are usually frozen once the bank is notified of the death, and the Grant of Probate is needed to release the funds. This means an executor may need to advance the court fee from their own account and reimburse themselves once the estate's money becomes available. Some banks will release funds from the deceased's account specifically to pay the probate court fee before the grant is issued, so it is worth asking.
An executor who is a family member or friend cannot charge for their own time unless the will specifically authorises it. You can claim back reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel costs, postage, and the court fee, but not for the hours you spend administering the estate. If a professional, such as a solicitor or licensed probate practitioner, is named as executor in the will, they are entitled to charge their standard fees, and these come from the estate.
Estates valued at £5,000 or less do not pay a probate court fee at all. For larger estates, the £273 fee applies regardless of the estate's total value.
If you are concerned about the costs involved during the waiting period, our guide on who pays the bills while waiting for probate covers how household expenses are handled. You can also read about the six-month rule for probate to understand the timeline.
In practice, there can be a short timing gap. Bank accounts are usually frozen once the bank is notified of the death, and the Grant of Probate is needed to release the funds. This means an executor may need to advance the court fee from their own account and reimburse themselves once the estate's money becomes available. Some banks will release funds from the deceased's account specifically to pay the probate court fee before the grant is issued, so it is worth asking.
An executor who is a family member or friend cannot charge for their own time unless the will specifically authorises it. You can claim back reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel costs, postage, and the court fee, but not for the hours you spend administering the estate. If a professional, such as a solicitor or licensed probate practitioner, is named as executor in the will, they are entitled to charge their standard fees, and these come from the estate.
Estates valued at £5,000 or less do not pay a probate court fee at all. For larger estates, the £273 fee applies regardless of the estate's total value.
If you are concerned about the costs involved during the waiting period, our guide on who pays the bills while waiting for probate covers how household expenses are handled. You can also read about the six-month rule for probate to understand the timeline.