Plans to Increase Probate Fees Have Been Scrapped Ahead of the Election

The controversial plan to increase Probate fees, which had been due to rise from £155 (or £215) to up to £20,000 for some estates in England and Wales from May 2017 have been scrapped as a result of the forthcoming general election. The Ministry of Justice have said there was not enough time for the legislation to go through Parliament.

Under the proposed changes, the probate application fee was being changed from a flat fee of £155 (or £215 if being made through a solicitor or accountant) to a sliding scale linked to the value of the estate. Estates worth between £50,000 – £300,000 would have had a fee of £300 and the highest fee of £20,000 would have been applied on estates worth £2million and over.

It is not yet clear whether the plans have been fully scrapped or just postponed.

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