Probate Court Fee looks set to rise

12.02.19

On 7th February the Government resurrected the previous proposal to increase the court fee that is payable on making an application for a grant of probate, or letters of administration to an estate, for its current level of £155 for a solicitor application and £215 for a personal application.

Unlike last time when the proposal failed due to lack of parliamentary of time to debate this matter before the general election,  the new fees now looks set to come into force from April and for the fee to be charged on all applications made after the enforcement date, irrespective of the date of death.

The new fee structure is as follows: 

1 Application for a grant or resealing of a grant

On an application for a grant or resealing of a grant where the assessed value of the estate:

 

(a) exceeds £50,000 but does not exceed £300,000;

£250

(b) exceeds £300,000 but does not exceed £500,000;

£750

(c) exceeds £500,000 but does not exceed £1,000,000;

£2,500

(d) exceeds £1,000,000 but does not exceed £1,600,000;

£4,000

(f) exceeds £1,600,000 but does not exceed £2,000,000;

£5,000

(g) exceeds £2,000,000

£6,000

Source Legislation.gov.uk - The Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order (2018)

For Executors or Administrators who are in the process of making an application for a grant, it would therefore be prudent to attend to the application sooner rather than later to ensure that they do not incur the new higher fee.

For further information, please contact Victoria Green on v.green@ashfords.co.uk or 01392 333878.

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