The government has dropped controversial plans to dramatically increase Probate application fees ahead of the general election. When a person dies, the Executors or Administrators are appointed to deal with the administration of a person’s Estate. This involves collecting in the Deceased’s assets, such as property and cash, and then distributing them in accordance with the Deceased’s Will or the Laws of Intestacy. Ordinarily, a Grant of Probate will be needed to collect in the Estate, which requires an application to be made to the Probate Registry. At present, there is a flat fee of £155.00 when using a solicitor or £215.00 when applying as an individual, irrespective of the value of the Estate. The proposed changes sought to abolish the flat fee and introduce a fee scale calculated on the value of the Estate, which would mean that certain Estates would have seen the application fee rise from £155.00 to £20,000.00. Estates valued at under £50,000.00 however, would no longer attract a Probate application fee. The Ministry of Justice has now announced that due to the snap election, there is not enough time to finalise the plans, resulting in them being scrapped altogether. It will now be in the hands of the next government to decide whether the plans should be resurrected. If you have suffered a recent bereavement and would like assistance in applying for Probate and administering the Estate, then please contact our experienced Private Client team today. Call us on 0800 988 3650, email willsandprobate@ramsdens.co.uk or text LAW to 67777 to book a free information session at any of our offices across West Yorkshire.