What Are the Typical Fees for Probate Assistance Providers?
Probate assistance fees in the UK vary widely depending on how the provider charges: a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the estate.
Percentage-based fees are the most expensive and are common with banks and some firms. They typically run from around 1% to 5% of the estate's value, with banks at the higher end, and more once VAT and extra charges are added. On a £500,000 estate, that can mean anywhere from £5,000 to £25,000, regardless of how much actual work is involved.
Hourly rates are common with traditional firms, often £150 to £300 plus VAT per hour. The risk is that the final bill is open-ended, and a complex estate can run up many hours.
Fixed fees are usually the clearest and best value. A grant-only service, where the provider just obtains the Grant of Probate, can start from a few hundred pounds, while full estate administration on a fixed fee typically runs into the low thousands, depending on complexity. The advantage is that you know the cost before you start.
On top of any provider fee, the probate court application fee is £273 for estates over £5,000, and nothing below that. This is the same whoever you use, and it is a separate disbursement.
When comparing quotes, always ask what is included, whether VAT and disbursements are extra, and whether the fee is fixed or could grow, which is one of the key things to check when you choose a provider. At Maximum Inheritance, I work on a transparent fixed fee with no percentage of the estate and no hidden costs, so you know exactly where you stand. You can see how it works on my probate assistance page.
Percentage-based fees are the most expensive and are common with banks and some firms. They typically run from around 1% to 5% of the estate's value, with banks at the higher end, and more once VAT and extra charges are added. On a £500,000 estate, that can mean anywhere from £5,000 to £25,000, regardless of how much actual work is involved.
Hourly rates are common with traditional firms, often £150 to £300 plus VAT per hour. The risk is that the final bill is open-ended, and a complex estate can run up many hours.
Fixed fees are usually the clearest and best value. A grant-only service, where the provider just obtains the Grant of Probate, can start from a few hundred pounds, while full estate administration on a fixed fee typically runs into the low thousands, depending on complexity. The advantage is that you know the cost before you start.
On top of any provider fee, the probate court application fee is £273 for estates over £5,000, and nothing below that. This is the same whoever you use, and it is a separate disbursement.
When comparing quotes, always ask what is included, whether VAT and disbursements are extra, and whether the fee is fixed or could grow, which is one of the key things to check when you choose a provider. At Maximum Inheritance, I work on a transparent fixed fee with no percentage of the estate and no hidden costs, so you know exactly where you stand. You can see how it works on my probate assistance page.