We have previously written regarding plans for a substantial Probate fees increase in 2020. The plans were roundly condemned by the Law Society and charities and described as a “Grief Tax” by the Daily Mail. We are delighted to announce that the planned increase has this week been axed by the Ministry of Justice Robert Buckland. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said “Fees are necessary to properly fund our world-leading courts system, but we have listened carefully to concerns about changes to those charged for probate and will look at them again as part of a wider review to make sure all fees are fair and proportionate.”
Under the controversial Government plans proposed in 2018 the existing fixed rate Probate fee of £215 (or £155 for families who use a solicitor) would have been replaced by a sliding scale of fees depending on the value of the Estate and could have seen families receiving bills of up to £6,000.
Probate fees will remain
The original fee structure will now remain in place subject only to the usual small annual increases and the plan to charge estates thousands of pounds has been completely dismissed.
The charity legacy consortium Remember a Charity has warmly welcomed the news as it was believed the new Probate fee system could have cost charities an estimated £10 million a year. Charities heavily rely on donations made through Wills, so the proposed fee structure would have taken a substantial chunk out of many estates with a knock-on effect on the amounts available to charity beneficiaries.
How Backhouse Solicitors can help
If you would like help with leaving money to charity in your Will or need assistance with obtaining Probate then please contact us to book a free 30-minute appointment with one of our expert Probate solicitors.
Tel: 01245 893400
Email: info@backhouse-solicitors.co.uk
Visit: 17 Duke Street, Chelmsford CM1 1JU
Or fill in our form on the Contact Us page on this website
