Probate Rule Changes in 2025: What Executors Need to Know

Probate Rule Changes in 2025: What Executors Need to Know

Overview of the Changes

In November 2025, changes to the Non-Contentious Probate Rules took effect in England and Wales. They were meant to make the probate process faster and clearer, and better suited to online applications. Most were welcome, but they brought new requirements that executors and administrators need to know about. This guide also covers the fee changes of 13 July 2026, which came later.

Key Changes

Copy fees and the application fee. From 17 November 2025 the cost of a copy of a grant, will or letters of administration ordered through the Find a Will service rose from £1.50 to £16. The Ministry of Justice said this reflected the true cost of the service. On 13 July 2026 the position changed again. The application fee rose from £300 to £526 for estates over £5,000, and copies ordered with the application now cost £2 each. Copies ordered afterwards still cost £16 each. For an estate that needs several copies for different institutions, timing matters. An application with ten copies ordered at the outset costs £546 in total (£526 plus £20 for copies). The same ten copies ordered later cost £160.

Clearer rules for competing applicants. Where several people have an equal right to apply, such as siblings after a parent's death, the rules now give registrars a clearer test for deciding who should be the personal representative. That should mean fewer disputes and delays at the application stage.

Online process improvements. The reforms continue the move to online probate applications through MyHMCTS. GOV.UK says you will usually get the grant within 12 weeks of applying, whether online or by post, and online applicants can track their application. The rules aim to make the online process more consistent.

Updated procedural requirements. Several procedural updates aim to cut the common causes of a stopped application, with clearer guidance on reporting the condition of the will, executor status declarations and supporting documents.

What This Means for Executors

If you are dealing with an estate now, or about to start, this is what it means in practice.

• Order copies at the outset. Order the copies you need with the application, when they cost £2 each rather than £16. Think about which institutions will accept a certified copy rather than an original.
• Apply online where possible. GOV.UK says you will usually get the grant within 12 weeks of applying, whether online or by post. If you apply online you can track the application's progress.
• Give full information up front. Many stopped applications are caused by missing information, unexplained alterations to the will or incomplete executor details. Getting it complete and accurate first time avoids delays.
• Take advice if in doubt. New rules on top of an already involved process make professional advice worth having, especially for a complicated estate.

Looking Ahead

The government has said it intends to keep modernising the probate service, with further digital improvements and possible changes to the process. Executors administering an estate over a long period should keep an eye on further changes.

Aaron keeps up with changes in probate law and procedure so that the advice you get is current.

This guide is intended as general legal information and does not constitute legal advice. Safe Harbour Legal is a trading name of Legal Studio, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.