Government delays probate fees rise

28 Mar 2019

The government has delayed its planned increase in probate fees.

The delay has been attributed to 'pressure on Parliamentary time' caused by Brexit debates and votes.

The increase in fees had been set to take effect from 1 April 2019, but HMRC recently made the decision to postpone the rise. Under government plans, estates which are valued between £50,000 and £300,000 will be subject to a probate fee of £250. Fees rise thereafter to reach £6,000 for estates with a value above £2 million.

While the changes are pending, a temporary process is in place for applying for probate, and estates will not incur the higher fees if applications are made before the fee changes take effect.

Commenting on the matter, a spokesperson for HMRC said: 'Probate registries will accept applications before processing by us as long as they are assured the inheritance tax (IHT) forms from us will be coming shortly.

'Our processes aren't changing, it's just that probate registries will be willing to accept applications before our processing is done, when normally it would need to be after.'