Government goes ahead with 'stealth tax' probate fee hikes of up to £20k, despite consultation showing just 2% were in favour

AST HAMPSONS  |  Tuesday 21 April - 11.32

Share this article

Government goes ahead with 'stealth tax' probate fee hikes of up to £20k, despite consultation showing just 2% were in favour

Probate fees are currently a fixed fee of £155.00 when made through a solicitor for all estates worth £5,000.00 plus. The Ministry of Justice has just confirmed that from May the Probate Fees on some estates will increase by almost £20,000.00.

 

AST Hampsons Head of Wills and Probate Department, Louise Salisbury said
“The current fee of £155.00 (when the application is made through a solicitor) is often funded by the solicitors firm until Probate is granted and bank accounts can be accessed. With such huge increases this is likely to change causing hardship and inconvenience , although there will be no fee for estates below £50,000.00 the charges for estates between £50,000- £300,000.00 will be £300.00 and between £300,000.00- £500,000.00 will be £1000.00. This is an enormous increase bearing in mind that the work undertaken by the Probate Registry is the same whatever the value of the estate .”

 

Claire Davis, Director, SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly) said:

“SFE is extremely disappointed to see that the consensus to reject the proposed probate fees has been ignored.


"For the 62% of estates that use a solicitor, probate registry performs a purely administrative role, and the value of the estate has no bearing on the work undertaken.


“To burden larger estates with a significantly larger fee is an unfair form of taxation. For people in this situation, their property is often their primary asset, and they have little cash to pay for higher probate fees, on top of other necessities such as IHT or the use of a solicitor.


“The increase in probate fees will place a burden on families at a sensitive and distressing time and is likely to put people who are vulnerable and/or elderly at risk. Our fear is that such clients might be persuaded to take steps to avoid probate fees, even if the effect is to leave them with insufficient assets to provide for themselves for the rest of their life.”


We are pleased to see the comment has already been featured in a This Is Money article this morning, alongside several other professionals who agree with our point of view.
To see the full article, click here


< Older Post Newer Post >

Recent Posts

Giving Back to Our Community: AST Hampsons' Charity and Fundraising Highlights of 2026

October 26, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

AST Hampsons Welcomes New Family Solicitor Chiara Ozuzu

July 29, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

Rising Star: Tanaka Basikolo Qualifies as a Solicitor

July 2, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

AST Hampsons Honoured with Blue Plaque Celebrating the Taylor Family Legacy

June 23, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

Keira Tonge Completes Business Administration Apprenticeship

May 20, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

Sundee Rutter Wins Outstanding Apprentice Award

May 7, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025

April 21, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

Inheritance disputes are on the rise: How to protect your loved ones

March 30, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

AST Hampsons – Looking Back at 2025

January 28, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

We are delighted to announce the appointment to the Partnership of our Helen O’Sullivan.

August 21, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
Show More