Wills & Estates Cost in London (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn London, wills and estates legal costs vary widely by the type of work. A straightforward single will often costs around £150-£400 and mirror wills around £250-£600 as an estimated market range, while probate and estate administration are commonly charged either as hourly legal work or as a percentage of the estate; for example, Co-op Legal Services publicly states probate fees from 1.5% to 5% plus VAT depending on complexity. Court probate application fees in England and Wales are separately set by HMCTS at £300 for estates over £5,000.
Overview
For wills and estates work in London, the main cost difference is whether you need a simple will, tax planning, probate only, or full estate administration. London firms often charge more than regional firms, especially where a solicitor is advising on higher-value property, complex family structures, business assets, trusts or inheritance tax planning. Many providers use fixed fees for straightforward will writing, but probate and estate matters are frequently priced either at hourly rates or as a percentage of the estate value, sometimes with both legal fees and third-party disbursements added. Publicly available official and provider information gives a useful baseline. HM Courts & Tribunals Service sets the probate application fee at £300 for estates over £5,000 and no fee for estates of £5,000 or less. For estate administration, Co-op Legal Services publicly advertises probate fees from 1.5% to 5% plus VAT, depending on complexity and value. The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires price transparency for probate work, so many regulated firms publish pricing information, although exact London rates still differ significantly by firm and by matter. If you are comparing quotes, check whether the fee includes VAT, probate application fees, bankruptcy searches, copies of the grant, valuation work, conveyancing for any property sale, and inheritance tax account preparation.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Probate application fee (estate over £5,000)(per application) HMCTS probate fee in England and Wales for estates over £5,000. Verified from source | £300 – £300 | Verified from source |
| Probate application fee (estate £5,000 or less)(per application) No application fee for estates valued at £5,000 or less. Verified from source | £0 – £0 | Verified from source |
| Probate legal fee as percentage of estate(percent of estate value) Provider states probate fees typically range from 1.5% to 5% plus VAT depending on estate complexity and value. Verified from source | £1.5 – £5 | Verified from source |
| Simple single will(fixed fee) Estimated range based on typical market rates for solicitor and will-writing services in London for a straightforward single will. Estimated range | ~£150 – £400 | Estimated range |
| Mirror wills for a couple(fixed fee) Estimated range based on typical London market pricing for straightforward mirror wills. Estimated range | ~£250 – £600 | Estimated range |
| Solicitor hourly rate for estates work(per hour) Estimated range based on typical London private client solicitor rates for wills, probate and estate administration; seniority and firm type materially affect pricing. Estimated range | ~£200 – £450 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Drafting and reviewing the will or probate papers
- Advice on executors and beneficiaries
- Submission of probate application where instructed
- Correspondence with banks and asset holders in estate administration matters
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Solicitors Regulation Authority
Variants & Configurations
Duration
A straightforward will may be completed within days to a couple of weeks; probate and estate administration often take several months and complex estates can take much longer.
How Fees Work
Wills are commonly offered on a fixed-fee basis. Probate and estate administration may be charged as a fixed fee, hourly rate, percentage of estate value, or a combination, with VAT and disbursements added separately.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether the matter is a simple will, tax-planning will, probate-only application, or full estate administration
- Complexity of the estate, including property, business interests, foreign assets, trusts or inheritance tax issues
- Whether fees are fixed, hourly, or percentage-based and whether VAT and disbursements are included
- London firm pricing and the seniority of the solicitor handling the matter
- Whether disputes arise between executors, beneficiaries or dependants
Local Context
In London, wills and estates work is often priced above the national average because of higher law firm overheads and a greater proportion of property-rich and tax-sensitive estates. VAT is normally added to legal fees. Tipping is not expected for legal services. For estates involving London property, costs may increase because valuation, conveyancing and inheritance tax issues are more common.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All prices are in pounds sterling (GBP); check whether quotes are stated inclusive or exclusive of VAT.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- GOV.UK - Apply for probate · government
Official probate application fee in England and Wales: £300 for estates over £5,000 and no fee for estates of £5,000 or less.
- Co-op Legal Services - How much does probate cost? · provider
Provider states probate costs can range from 1.5% to 5% of the estate value plus VAT depending on complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is probate separate from the solicitor's fee?+
Usually yes. The probate application fee is a court fee charged by HMCTS, and legal fees for preparing the application or administering the estate are additional.
Do London solicitors charge more for wills and estates work?+
Often yes. London private client firms commonly have higher hourly rates and fixed fees than firms elsewhere in England, especially for complex tax or high-value estate work.
Are probate fees usually hourly or percentage-based?+
Both models are used. Some firms publish hourly rates, while others quote a percentage of the estate or a fixed fee for specific probate tasks.
Does VAT apply to wills and probate legal fees?+
In most cases, yes. Legal fees are usually subject to VAT, so always check whether a quote is inclusive or exclusive of VAT.
What extra costs might be added on top of the main fee?+
Common extras include the probate application fee, additional copies of the grant, bankruptcy searches, property valuation costs, estate agent fees, conveyancing and accountant or tax return fees.
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