Probate in 2026: how to get the right to deal with an estate and what the fee is

After someone dies, you usually need probate — official confirmation of your authority — before you can deal with their money, property and possessions. According to GOV.UK, the application fee in England and Wales is £526 for estates worth more than £5,000, and if the estate is £5,000 or less there is no fee.

What is probate in plain terms?

Probate is a "grant of representation", the document that lets an executor named in the will, or an administrator where there is no will, collect assets, pay debts and distribute the estate. Banks, insurers and the Land Registry usually require it before they will transfer or release funds.

ONLYWAY NEWSLIVEMoney · 03.11Help to Save in 2026: the state adds 50% to savings for people on a low incomeLaw · 03.11Probate in 2026: how to get the right to deal with an estate and what the fee isLaw · 03.11Advance decision (living will) in 2026: how to refuse unwanted treatment in advanceMoney · 03.11Carrying £10,000 across the border: when you must declare cashTravel · 03.11International Driving Permit (IDP) in 2026: when Britons need one abroad and where to get it for £5.50Jobs & Business · 03.11Confirmation statement: a company's yearly Companies House filingLife · 03.11Illness and driving: when you must tell DVLA and what silence costsTravel · 03.11ATOL protection: what it covers and how to claim a refundTax · 03.11Marriage Allowance in 2026: how couples can cut their tax by up to £252 a yearMoney · 03.11Attendance Allowance in 2026: up to £114.60 a week for older people needing careONLYWAY NEWS · appInstall the ONLYWAY NEWS appFresh UK news, classifieds, key dates and exchange rates on your home screen, one tap away. Free.NewsClassifiedsCalendarRates

Do you always need probate?

Not always. If assets were jointly owned and pass to a surviving partner, or if account balances are small, probate may not be needed — each bank sets its own threshold. But where there is property in one name or large savings, it is almost always required.

What does it cost and how do you save on copies?

Besides the £526 fee, you often need extra certified copies of the grant to send to several organisations at once. Copies cost £2 each if ordered with your application and £16 each if ordered later, so it pays to estimate how many you need up front.

How do you apply for probate?

You apply online on GOV.UK or by post. First you must value the estate and deal with Inheritance Tax: in some cases the tax paperwork is filed before you apply for probate. You will need the original will and the death certificate.

How long does it take?

Timescales depend on the Probate Registry’s workload and how complete your paperwork is. Mistakes on the application and Inheritance Tax queries are the main causes of delay, so gather documents carefully and without rushing.

Probate can look daunting, but for a simple estate many people handle it themselves without a solicitor. The key is to value the estate correctly, pay the right fee on time and order enough copies of the grant.