Probate fee increase update - Boodle Hatfield

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21 Oct 2019

Probate fee increase update

Recent reports indicate that the controversial proposals to substantially increase probate fees by introducing a sliding scale of fees up to £6,000 based on the value of the estate have finally been abandoned.

The Justice Secretary has confirmed to the media that the government will be withdrawing these proposals (first mooted in 2016). Small adjustments to cover costs will be considered as part of a wider review to ensure all court fees are fair and proportionate. This change of direction has been widely welcomed as the unpopular changes were regarded as inherently unjust. Again, however, we will have to wait and see how the political situation plays out before we can be certain of its abandonment.