Letters of Administration Costs UK: What to Expect When There’s No Will
If a loved one has passed away intestate (without a Will), you’re likely concerned about the legal costs of applying for Letters of Administration and managing their estate. While the total costs can vary, the basic application fees for Letters of Administration are generally similar to those for a Grant of Probate (needed when there is a Will).
However, the final expenses usually depend on how complicated your loved one’s financial affairs are and whether you choose to handle the process yourself.
Basic Application Fees for Letters of Administration
The basic application to the court for Letters of Administration currently costs £273. You will also need to pay an additional £1.50 for each official copy of the document. It’s wise to get one copy for every financial institution where your loved one held assets. These statutory probate fees are standard, regardless of who handles the application.
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Call 020 8150 2010Understanding Additional Legal Costs for Intestate Estates
If you appoint a solicitor or legal expert to deal with the administration of the intestate estate, there will, of course, be additional costs. These can sometimes add up to more than if a Will had been made, especially for complex cases.
Many solicitors charge by the hour, or per letter or telephone call. Hourly fees can be as high as £350 (as of June 2025). If a Will existed, leaving the estate to only one or two people, the legal costs would generally be lower. However, when someone dies intestate, the proceeds often need to be divided among several relatives according to intestacy rules. This means the solicitor will need to communicate with more people. Whether they’re charging by the hour or £100 per letter, these fees can quickly mount up.
Potential for Disputes and Rising Legal Bills
Furthermore, if a family member appeals to the courts because they believe they should have received a larger portion of the estate, legal fees can escalate rapidly.
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At a time when you are grieving the loss of a loved one, this additional financial and emotional stress can be overwhelming. Funeral expenses are already costly enough without having to worry about potentially massive legal fees and family disputes over intestate inheritance.
Consider Your Options: Fixed-Fee Services
If a family member is likely to appeal, or if the deceased’s finances are quite complicated, you may want to hand over the responsibility of dealing with the estate to a legal expert. But if the prospect of a huge legal bill is worrying you, there are other options available in the UK.
Instead of appointing a solicitor, many people opt to use a fixed-fee probate service instead. For a pre-agreed total fee, they can deal with the application for Letters of Administration and administer the entire estate on your behalf. This takes the pressure off you during your time of loss and removes the worry of potentially huge, unpredictable legal fees.
