How Much Does Probate Cost with a Solicitor?
If you’ve been named as an executor, one of the first challenges you’ll face is understanding how much probate might cost, and whether you need a solicitor at all. It’s a time when emotions are already running high, and the legal process can feel like a maze of jargon, unexpected fees, and conflicting advice.
Jane Cassell, Director of JC Independent Wills & Probate, says she often hears the same initial concern: people worry it’ll cost money just to speak with a solicitor. “And the public have good reason to worry that legal fees will spiral out of control,” she explains. “Traditionally, law firms have charged a value element, a percentage of the estate, plus an hourly charge.”
In this guide, we’ll break down what solicitors typically charge for probate, when it makes sense to pay for help, and how to avoid the most common cost-related pitfalls.
How Much Does a Solicitor Cost for Probate?
Solicitor fees for probate can vary quite widely depending on the size of the estate, how complex it is, and how the solicitor structures their pricing. Most firms will offer one of three approaches: a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the estate’s value.
Fixed Fee Probate Costs
For straightforward estates, a fixed fee is often the most transparent option. This typically ranges from £1,000 to £3,000 and may include everything from applying for the Grant of Probate to assisting with simple estate administration. Jane notes that fixed fees are becoming more popular among clients who want certainty from the outset: “People who are aware, are more likely to want to agree a fixed fee.”
Hourly Rate Probate Costs
Some solicitors still charge by the hour, typically between £200 and £300 plus VAT, which may suit smaller tasks like filling out Inheritance Tax forms or drafting paperwork. However, costs can escalate fast, depending on how much time the work takes.
According to Fiona Bruce Solicitors, handling a straightforward estate, typically one property and a couple of bank accounts, can require 3.5 to 7 hours to apply for the Grant of Probate, and an additional 2 to 10 hours to administer the estate afterward. That works out to 5.5 to 17 hours in total, meaning your legal fees could range from roughly £1,100 to £4,250, just for solicitor time.
Other firms report similar numbers. Sills & Betteridge estimate 8 to 14 hours of work at around £292/hour, resulting in fees of £2,300–£4,100, or £2,800–£4,900 with VAT.
For more complex estates, those with multiple properties, overseas assets, or trusts, firms like Heringtons Solicitors suggest 10–25 hours of work, which could mean £3,150 to £7,875 plus VAT.
So, while hourly billing offers flexibility, the costs depend heavily on the estate’s complexity. A simple estate may cost a couple of thousand pounds, while a larger or more complicated one could easily double or triple that.
Percentage Based Probate Costs
Some firms also use a percentage-based model, often charging between 1% and 2.5% of the estate’s value, plus VAT. Isson Harrison even guarantees that for an estate over £500,000, the probate fee is capped at 1% of the estate value, excluding the primary residence, plus time-charged additional services. This “value element” method can become expensive for larger estates and doesn’t always reflect how straightforward or complex the actual legal work is.
Ultimately, the total cost depends on your specific circumstances. Handling a single property with three bank accounts is a much simpler job than managing multiple investments, foreign assets, missing paperwork, or potential disputes. As these layers of complexity increase, so will the time and legal effort required, and that makes a percentage-based fee potentially feel unfair for simpler estates.
Which Probate Fee Structure Is Right for You?
Choosing the right fee structure for probate isn’t just about the price tag, it’s about finding an approach that matches the complexity of the estate. Jane Cassell, Director of JC Independent Wills & Probate, advises executors to start by speaking with a few firms. “My advice to someone who has just been told they need to apply for probate and doesn’t know where to start is to decide on three companies who specialise in probate work, and phone them,” she says. “You’ll get a feel for who matches your requirements, and who offers fixed fees.”
For many families, fixed fees provide welcome clarity. “The advantage of a fixed fee is that the family will know the cost of dealing with a lawyer before they make a commitment to instruct the lawyer,” Jane explains. This approach gives peace of mind and is often ideal for straightforward estates.
Matching the Fee Model to the Complexity of the Estate
Fixed fees usually work best where:
- There is a valid will
- There are no disputes between beneficiaries
However, if the estate is more complex, other fee models may be more appropriate. Hourly or percentage-based structures give flexibility for solicitors dealing with more time-consuming estates.
Mark Littler, founder of Swift Values, explains “Some estates are relatively straightforward, but others can involve multiple properties, international assets, or complex tax planning. In those cases, hourly billing or percentage fees may reflect the level of work more fairly.”
Factors that can increase complexity, and legal costs, include:
- A high number of beneficiaries (more admin and correspondence)
- Property, shares or business interests to value and distribute
- Missing paperwork, lost share certificates or title deeds
- Inheritance tax calculations, or the need to claim unused allowances
- Foreign-held assets, or trusts that need winding up
Whatever your situation, it’s worth asking a solicitor to explain what’s included in their quote, and whether they foresee any areas that might drive up cost.
Don’t Miss Out on Tax Allowances
One of the most valuable things a solicitor can offer, beyond handling paperwork, is helping you avoid unnecessary tax. Inheritance Tax can feel like a fixed cost, but in many cases, allowances go unused simply because no one knew to ask about them. A good probate solicitor will check whether transferable nil-rate bands or other reliefs apply, which can reduce or even eliminate the tax bill.
Jane Cassell recalls one such case: “I had a free chat with someone a few months ago who had calculated the Inheritance Tax to be £90,000. By the end of our conversation, I identified that the other parent had died some ten years prior, and the person had the satisfaction and relief of knowing that there was going to be zero tax to pay, as long as the transferrable tax allowances were claimed correctly and within the Revenue’s deadlines.”
These are the kinds of details that can make a huge difference, not just financially, but emotionally, too. Having someone experienced to check your blind spots is often worth more than the paperwork alone.
If you’re just starting out and need practical guidance, it’s worth speaking with someone who deals with this every day. Jane offers fixed-fee advice and brings both legal experience and empathy to what can feel like a daunting process.
Jane Cassell – Director
JC Independent Wills & Probate Ltd
01727 840 240 (option 3 for Wills & Probate)
jane@jcwillsandprobate.co.uk
