Probate Fee Benchmarks for Solicitors: Pricing Instructions to Win and Stay Profitable
2026-09-05 · 8 min read
How UK solicitors price probate instructions in 2026 - hourly, fixed and percentage models, fee benchmarks, and how to quote probate leads to win the instruction profitably.
The fee models and when each wins
There are three standard ways to charge for probate, and each suits different estates. Your choice affects both your win rate on probate leads and your profitability.
| Model | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage | 1-3% of estate value | Quick quotes on simple estates |
| Fixed fee | Set price for defined scope | Winning competitive instructions |
| Hourly | Time spent, recorded | Complex or disputed estates |
Many firms blend them: a fixed fee for straightforward administration plus hourly for anything out of scope. Clarity is what wins instructions.
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Benchmark your prices to the market
Executors often shop around. If your quote is far outside the local market, you lose the instruction before you can explain your value. Benchmark your fixed fees and percentage rates against your region and estate sizes.
Publish or state your pricing model clearly in your first contact. Transparency is a differentiator in a service where families are anxious about cost.
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Price probate leads fast and clearly
A probate lead is most valuable in the first 48 hours after the grant is applied for. Executors are gathering quotes, and the firm that responds first with a clear, itemised fee usually wins the instruction.
Build a simple scoping checklist: estate value, assets (property, shares, bank), whether it is straightforward or complex, and any likely disputes. From that, apply your fee model and send the quote the same day.
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State disbursements separately
Executors are often surprised by disbursements - court fees, Land Registry, searches, insurance, and valuation costs. If these are buried, the client feels misled later. List them separately so the total is transparent and defensible.
- Court application fee
- Land Registry fees
- Copies of the grant
- Property valuation
- Bankruptcy search
- Insurance premium
- Postage and administration
A transparent fee breakdown builds trust - and trust wins probate instructions.
Track win rate and profitability
Track how many probate leads you quote, how many you win, and the average fee per instruction. Over time you will see which estate sizes and counties are most profitable, so you can target your probate lead areas and refine your pricing.
One probate instruction typically covers a lead subscription many times over. Profitability is about winning the right instructions at the right price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do solicitors charge for probate?
The three common models are percentage of the estate value, fixed fees, and hourly rates. Percentage fees are easiest to quote from a probate lead but can undersell large estates; fixed fees win instructions but need careful scoping; hourly rates suit complex estates but carry uncertainty for the client.
How should I price a probate lead?
Assess the estate value from the grant data, choose a model that fits the complexity, and quote within market range. Speed and clarity win probate instructions - the firm that quotes first with a transparent, itemised fee usually gets the work.
What is a typical probate fee in the UK?
Fixed-fee probate work typically runs a few hundred to a couple of thousand pounds depending on complexity; percentage models often sit around 1-3% of the estate value; hourly rates vary by region and seniority. Always state disbursements separately.
How do I win probate leads against competitors?
Contact the executors within the first 48 hours of the grant, quote clearly and quickly, and lead with empathy. Executors are choosing between several firms - the one that is fast, clear and human wins the instruction.