Probate Fees Soar by 75% as Bereaved Families Let Down by Failing Service

The cost of applying for probate is set to rise by 75pc, increasing from £300 to £526 on 13 July, subject to parliamentary approval.

Probate gives individuals the legal authority to administer a deceased person's estate. The fee applies where the estate is valued at more than £5,000.

The Ministry of Justice said the increase was necessary to cover the cost of providing an "ever-improving service", citing inflationary pressures and ongoing investment in a more efficient and modern probate system.

However, legal and consumer experts argue that bereaved families continue to face significant delays and poor service standards.

Martyn James, a consumer rights expert, said many people dealing with probate describe a system characterised by excessive bureaucracy, unanswered calls and complex administrative processes.

He added that imposing such a substantial fee increase on a service that many users already regard as inadequate was difficult to justify, particularly as the rise far exceeds the current rate of inflation.

Laura Bywater, a solicitor at JMW, said she hoped the higher fees would lead to meaningful improvements for families, many of whom currently face lengthy waits for applications to be processed during an already stressful period.

Jemma Hotta, of financial advice firm Oury Clark, said previous fee increases had failed to deliver a more modern or efficient service. Instead, she argued, delays have continued to worsen.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service defended the increase, saying investment in the probate system had helped more than halve processing times since 2023.

Whitestone Solicitors