Comparison · Inheritance & Probate · 2026
Probate Solicitor Fixed Fee vs Percentage Fee 2026: Which Costs Less?
When choosing a probate solicitor, how they charge matters as much as who they are. A fixed fee gives cost certainty regardless of estate value, while a percentage-of-estate fee scales directly with what the deceased left behind, which can make it very expensive on higher-value estates. This guide compares both structures and when DIY probate might beat both.
TL;DR -- 30-Second Summary
- • Fixed fee: one agreed price, typically illustrative GBP 1,500-5,000+ for straightforward estates
- • Percentage fee: illustratively 1-5% of estate value plus VAT — cost rises with estate size, not work
- • On a GBP 600,000 estate a percentage fee can massively exceed an equivalent fixed-fee quote
- • Property sales, disputes and overseas assets are usually extra on top of either structure
- • DIY probate can be cheapest for small, simple, uncontested estates with no IHT complications
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Fixed Fee | Percentage of Estate |
|---|---|---|
| Cost basis | Agreed flat price for the work | Illustrative 1-5%+VAT of estate value |
| Cost certainty | High — known before work starts | Low — depends on final valuation |
| Best suited to | Most estates, especially higher-value ones | Rarely advantageous to the estate |
| Risk of overpaying | Low, if scope agreed upfront | High on simple, high-value estates |
| Property sale, disputes, overseas assets | Usually extra under either structure — confirm scope in writing | |
Worked Example: A GBP 600,000 Estate
Consider a straightforward estate worth GBP 600,000: one property, some savings, a clear will, and no disputes among beneficiaries. Compare an illustrative fixed-fee quote against an illustrative percentage fee of 3% plus VAT, which sits within the historically quoted 1-5% range. These figures are examples only — always get current written quotes.
| Measure | Fixed fee (illustrative) | Percentage fee (illustrative 3%+VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Estate value | GBP 600,000 | GBP 600,000 |
| Fee calculation | Flat quote for the work | 3% of GBP 600,000 = GBP 18,000, plus 20% VAT |
| Approximate total fee | around GBP 3,000 (illustrative) | around GBP 21,600 (illustrative) |
| Difference | Percentage fee costs roughly GBP 18,600 more for broadly similar work | |
This gap exists because the percentage fee is tied to what the deceased owned, not to how many hours the solicitor actually spends. On a simple estate where most value sits in one property, a fixed fee is very often the better deal — always ask for one, or ask a firm quoting a percentage to convert it to a fixed price.
When a Fixed Fee Makes Sense
A fixed fee makes sense for the majority of estates, particularly where the value is concentrated in one or two assets such as a home and a savings account, the will is uncontested, and the work required is fairly standard grant-and-distribution administration. It gives executors and beneficiaries certainty about cost from the outset and avoids the risk of the bill inflating simply because the property market moved before probate completed.
Always confirm what is included, ask about VAT and disbursements such as the Probate Registry fee, and get the scope in writing so any additional work — for example a contested claim or a property sale — is priced separately and does not surprise you later.
When DIY Probate Can Beat Both
For small, simple estates — a clear will, no Inheritance Tax due or a straightforward IHT position, one or two easily identified assets, and no disagreement among beneficiaries — an executor can apply for the grant of probate directly through the government probate service and administer the estate themselves. The main cost is the Probate Registry application fee, which is a flat fee set nationally (check the current amount on gov.uk), plus any professional valuations needed for property or unusual assets.
DIY probate carries more personal responsibility and time commitment, and is generally unsuitable for complex, high-value or disputed estates, so weigh the saving against your own confidence, available time, and the estates genuine complexity before deciding.