Comparison · Estate Planning & Probate · 2026/27
DIY Executor vs Professional Probate Service UK 2026/27
Acting as executor yourself saves fees but carries personal liability and administrative burden. A professional probate service costs more but reduces risk and workload. This 2026/27 guide compares both with a worked GBP 350,000 estate example.
Key facts -- 2026/27
- • Typical solicitor fixed fee: ~GBP 1,500-5,000+
- • Typical percentage fee: ~1-5% of estate value
- • IHT nil-rate band: GBP 325,000
- • Residence nil-rate band: GBP 175,000
- • Section 27 notice period: usually 2 months
- • Probate cost: not deductible for IHT purposes
What Each Route Involves
DIY probate means the named executor personally applies for the Grant of Probate, values the estate, calculates any Inheritance Tax, settles debts, and distributes assets to beneficiaries -- workable for simple, low-value estates with a clear will.
A professional probate service (via a solicitor or specialist firm) handles some or all of this on your behalf, reducing the executor's personal exposure to mistakes and easing the administrative burden, at the cost of a fee paid from the estate.
Worked Example: GBP 350,000 Estate
| Item | DIY executor | Professional service |
|---|---|---|
| Probate fee | Court fee only (~GBP 300) | ~GBP 3,500-10,500 (1-3%) |
| Executor time commitment | Substantial, over several months | Minimal |
| Personal liability risk | Higher without expert guidance | Reduced |
Illustrative only -- actual fees and time required depend on estate complexity and provider. Use the inheritance tax calculator to estimate any IHT due.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | DIY executor | Professional service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest | Higher, paid from estate |
| Time required | Significant | Minimal |
| Liability exposure | Higher | Lower |
| Suits | Simple, low-value estates | Complex or IHT-liable estates |