Legal News | 16.07.26

Taken for granted: probate application fees increase

This week, the fee for applying for a grant of representation increased from £300 to £526, representing a rise of almost 75%. The Ministry of Justice has stated this is due to inflation and investment in a modernised service.

What is a Grant of Representation?

A grant of representation is a court document that gives a personal representative authority to deal with a deceased person’s estate. Where the deceased left a valid Will, this is called a grant of probate. Where there is no valid Will, this is a grant of letters of administration.

Is a Grant always needed?

Not necessarily. A Grant may not be required where the estate is relatively small, or where most assets were owned jointly and therefore pass automatically to the surviving owner.

However, financial institutions, such as banks and investment companies, often require a grant before releasing larger sums of money held in the deceased’s name. A grant is also required where the estate included a property or land that needs to be sold or transferred, as the Land Registry will usually require this before registering any transaction.

Applying for a Grant

Information about applying for a grant is available on the GOV.UK website. However, the probate application process can be a complex and time consuming task, particularly where there is inheritance tax to declare, which normally you’ll have to pay before probate is granted.

Seeking legal advice can help ensure that the correct inheritance tax forms are completed and that the Probate Registry receive all required information to approve a grant application. This can reduce the risk of delays, particularly as the Probate Registry can experience processing backlogs.

Acting as an executor or administrator can be both a rewarding but daunting task for many. Personal representatives have a number of legal responsibilities and can become personally liable if the estate is not administered in accordance with their duties.

If you have been appointed as a personal representative and have any questions about your responsibilities, or if you would like assistance with the estate administration process, please contact our Private Client Team at wealth@wansbroughs.com.