Criticism of New Probate Fee Changes

Relatives who are left an inheritance of more than £300,000 are set to be hit with death fees of more than four times the current costs, under new government proposals.

Currently, probate fees are set at a flat fee of £215 for all estates with a value of more than £5,000. However, ministers are planning to introduce a new staggered payment system that will see the charges increase in line with the value of the estate.

The changes will mean that estates worth between £300,000 and £500,000 will attract a £1,000 charge, and for estates worth between £500,000 and £1 million, the fee would increase to £4,000.

With house prices rising steadily, it is likely that more and more people will be required to pay the new fees.

In response to criticism of the new system, the Ministry of Justice pointed out that those inheriting less than £50,000 would not be charged a fee, meaning that an additional 30,000 estates will be lifted out of paying any probate fees whatsoever.

Justice Minister Shailesh Vara said the maximum fee would "only be paid by the very wealthiest estates," adding that the fees would never exceed 1 per cent of the value of the estate and "in many cases it would be considerably less."

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Crumpsall Solicitors

Probate Solicitors