Much to the relief of families of newly bereaved, the proposed increase to probate fees has been delayed once again.
The new proposals set out an increase in probate fees from £215 for a personal application (or £155 with a solicitor) to a sliding scale of up to £6,000 depending on the size of the estate.
The motion to approve the increase in fees had been scheduled for a vote in the House of Commons since February but the prorogation of Parliament means that this motion has fallen and – should the government want to proceed with the fee increase – they would have to reintroduce the vote in the next session.
The Law Society, calling it a “tax on grief” and “inheritance tax by the back door”, welcomed the delay, and confirmed that, should the order be reintroduced, they would continue to campaign against its introduction.
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