Increase in Probate Court fees - Government Response to Consultation
27 February 2017
Following a Government consultation which received 97.5% objections to proposals for an increase in Probate Court fees the Government has decided to proceed with its proposals anyway as follows:-
New Fee Structure
| Value of estate (before inheritance tax) | Proposed Fee |
| Up to £50,000 or exempt from requiring a grant of probate | £0 |
| Exceeds £50,000 but does not exceed £300,000 | £300 |
| Exceeds £300,000 but does not exceed £500,000 | £1,000 |
| Exceeds £500,000 but does not exceed £1m | £4,000 |
| Exceeds £1m but does not exceed £1.6m | £8,000 |
| Exceeds £1.6m but does not exceed £2m | £12,000 |
| Above £2m | £20,000 |
The new fee structure will apply from 1 May 2017.
We can now expect the following:-
- A rush on the probate registries for grants to be issued in April before the new fees come into force and consequently a backlog of work and delay issuing the grant.
- Increased pressure on the Revenue to issue IHT421s so that the probate applications can be submitted before the end of April (NB there is already a delay receiving IHT421s from HMRC).
- Difficulties raising the necessary funds to settle Probate Court fees especially for estates which are property rich and cash poor.
