Rise in Probate Fees from 26th January 2022

The government has confirmed that probate fees will increase to a rate of £273 for all applicants, regardless of the size of the estate, from 26th January 2022.

At present, where an estate is more than £5,000, HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) charges on a two tier scale. If you are a probate practitioner you are charged £155 for an application. If it is an individual making an application you are charged £215 but the fee for both types of application will now increase to £273.

The HMCTS have explained that the difference in fee is being removed as there is no significant difference in the cost to HMCTS in processing both types of applications.

Interestingly statistics gathered at the proposal stage suggested that approximately 60% of applications are from probate professionals, with the remaining 40% from individuals.

The government claim that a deficit of £85 million exists within the probate and family court system, and that the proposed increase to the probate application fee will raise an additional £23 million to £25 million pounds each year from 2022 which will be used to offset the deficit.

With the increase in fee, time will tell whether we receive an improvement on the current probate service provided and whether there will be a reduction in application processing times.

Please contact us if you would like more information about making an application for probate.