Probate solicitor fees explained
Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Where an estate is instructed to a solicitor, the charge follows one of three models. Knowing which a firm uses — and insisting it be stated plainly — is the executor’s surest protection against a bill that swells beyond expectation.
The three fee models
Fixed fee. A single agreed sum, commonly £1,500–£3,500 for a straightforward estate, rising with complexity. Predictable, and usually the executor’s friend.
Hourly rate. Typically £200–£400 per hour depending on seniority and region; harder to forecast.
Percentage of the estate. Often 1–4% of the estate’s value, sometimes charged by banks acting as professional executor. On a large estate this can dwarf a fixed fee for identical work.
What firms must tell you
Under the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s transparency rules, any firm advertising probate services must publish its pricing. Ask for the model, the estimate, and what falls outside it (disbursements such as the £526 court fee, valuations and copies are usually extra). Because prices are set per firm, the only accurate figure is a specific firm’s own quotation.
Questions
Is a fixed fee always cheaper?+
Are court fees included in a solicitor’s quote?+
Sources. SRA transparency rules; GOV.UK, Applying for probate: fees; industry fee ranges.