A stealth tax on the bereaved: Government's planned probate fee hikes of up to 9,200% slammed - with estates hit for up to £20k

Probate fees are currently a flat £215 for all estates worth £5,000-plus. 


But hefty increases are in the pipeline, setting the bottom rate at £300 for those inheriting £50,000-£300,000, and escalating to £20,000 for estates worth $2million-plus. Rampant property price inflation will push people into the higher bands for probate fees, just as it propels many people's estates over the threshold at which assets become liable for death duties