Increase in HMCTS Fees
In certain circumstances, after someone has passed away, a Grant of Representation (better known as a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration) is required to deal with their estate. The application for this is submitted to the Probate Registry and there is currently a charge of ￡273.?
There is currently a consultation taking place which closes on 22 December 2023 regarding a potential increase of Probate fees by 5%.?
The last increase removed the difference between professional and non-professional users. Previously, professionals paid a ￡155 fee and non-professional users ￡215. As of 26 January 2022, the fee was changed to a single, flat rate fee of ￡273. [1]
?The proposal is to increase the flat rate fee again to ￡300 for estates that are worth over ￡5000.
?The position is to remain the same for estates worth under ￡5000, that no fee is payable.
Matthew Downton, Director PSD Finance, Projects, and Operations at ICAEW has stated that “recognising the challenge, in particular, faced by smaller firms, this is lower than the 7% increase in 2023 and lower than the 2023 inflation rate”[2]. Generally, the reviews of the Probate fees begin in June of each year. The consultation this year took place between June and August 2023 and of the 14 consultation responses, 43% agreed with the 5% increase.
?Whilst there is currently no confirmed date for the increase, it is looking likely that the HMCTS fee will increase in 2024. ?
Charlotte Hargreaves, Southerns Solicitors
December 2023?
[1] https://www.icaew.com/regulation/regulatory%20consultations/2024%20probate%20fees%20consultation
[2]
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