Lawyers have spoken out against Ministry of Justice (MoJ) proposals to charge grieving families up to £20,000 in probate fees.
Currently, probate fees are either £155 or £215 and are charged on estates worth more than £5,000.
Last week, however, Justice minister Shailesh Vara announced dramatic changes. Fees would be removed altogether for estates worth less than £50,000—about 57% of estates. Fees of £300 would be charged on estates worth more than £50,000, £1,000 on estates worth more than £300,000, £4,000 on estates worth more than £500,000, £8,000 for estates worth more than £1m, £12,000 for estates worth more than £1.6m, and £20,000 for estates worth more than £2m.
Joyce Bradbeer, probate partner at Moore Blatch, said: “Those with larger estates will be paying significantly more, even though the work that the Probate Registry has to do is virtually the same whatever the value of the estate.
“But, more to the point, how are the executors going to raise the money to pay for this? Access to cash is extremely limited prior to the issue of the Grant of Representation.”
Vara said the proposals were “progressive”, “necessary” and would raise an extra £250,000 a year.
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