Government plans to increase Probate Fees

The government is to press ahead with plans to substantially increase probate fees. Currently, there is a flat fee of £215 if making a personal application or £155 if applying for a grant of probate through a solicitor. However, this will be replaced by a sliding scale of fees depending upon the value of the estate. The fees will range from £250 to £6,000. The maximum fee is payable for estates worth over £2 million and estates worth less than £50,000 will be exempt.

The plans are now awaiting final approval by House of Commons. However, the move could be overturned if an MP were to issue a formal protest. Should no such objection be raised then the changes to the fees will come into force in April 2019.

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