Irish probate court fees calculator (2026)
The Probate Office and District Probate Registries charge a court fee based on the net value of the estate. Personal applicants pay a higher fee than solicitors, ranging from €200 to €1,300 plus extras for estates over €1,000,000. This calculator uses the current 2026 fee schedule published by courts.ie.
The 2026 fee schedule
Personal applicants (no solicitor):
| Net estate value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to €100,000 | €200 |
| €100,001 – €250,000 | €400 |
| €250,001 – €500,000 | €700 |
| €500,001 – €750,000 | €1,000 |
| €750,001 – €1,000,000 | €1,300 |
| Over €1,000,000 | €1,300 plus €800 per €500,000 (or part thereof) above €1m |
Solicitor applications:
| Net estate value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to €100,000 | €100 |
| €100,001 – €250,000 | €200 |
| €250,001 – €500,000 | €350 |
| €500,001 – €750,000 | €500 |
| €750,001 – €1,000,000 | €650 |
| Over €1,000,000 | €650 plus €400 per €500,000 (or part thereof) above €1m |
Source: courts.ie probate fees, 2025 fee order in force for 2026.
What the court fee does and does not cover
The court fee is paid to the Probate Office or District Probate Registry when the application is lodged. It covers the processing of the application and the issuance of the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. It does not cover:
- Certified copies of the Grant needed for banks and institutions. These cost €15 to €40 each, depending on whether a sealed copy is needed.
- Second or duplicate Grants where one has already issued. Currently €300 for personal applicants.
- Caveats or warnings to oppose or delay a Grant. €100 per caveat, plus €30 per warning or citation.
- Solicitor professional fees, which are additional where a solicitor is engaged. These typically range from €2,000 to €10,000 plus VAT, set by the solicitor.
The fee is paid from the estate
The Probate Office fee is a legitimate estate expense and is paid from the estate's funds, not from the executor's personal funds. In practice, the fee is paid at the Probate Office appointment (usually by card or bank draft) by whoever attends on the day. The estate then reimburses the executor before distribution to beneficiaries.
Why personal applicants pay more than solicitors
The higher personal-applicant fee reflects the additional administrative handling required: personal applications involve a face-to-face appointment with a Probate Officer, whereas solicitor applications are processed on paper without an appointment. The difference narrows the headline cost gap between solicitor and DIY probate, though DIY still costs significantly less overall for straightforward estates.
This calculator is a preparation tool using Irish tax rates and rules for 2026. It is not legal or tax advice. For complex estates, consult a solicitor or tax adviser. All values are estimates based on the information you provide.