By Aidan Grant

Although the increase in probate fees to £6,000 for those estates worth more than £2,000,000 will understandably grab the headlines, the underlying policy contains more detail which should not be ignored.

Firstly it is worth remembering that this highest band is a significant reduction on the £20,000 band proposed in 2017. Secondly the government has confirmed that the threshold under which no fees are paid at all is being raised from £5,000 to £50,000. Although the government projects that about 80% of applicants will pay £750 or less, this is still a significant increase on the previous fee of £215 (or £155 for those applying through a solicitor).