DIY Probate vs Solicitor: An Honest Cost Comparison

Two routes are commonly considered for probate: instructing a solicitor, or handling it yourself. This article compares both honestly, including a third option that sits between the two.

What a solicitor provides

Handles the technical paperwork on your behalf: IHT400, probate application, liaising with HMRC and the Probate Registry. You are responsible for providing all the estate information.

Cost: typically £1,500 to £5,000 or more for a straightforward estate. Percentage-based fees can reach £10,000 to £20,000 on larger estates.

What doing it entirely yourself provides

Using GOV.UK guidance and completing all forms yourself means you pay only the unavoidable government fees.

Cost: government fees only (£526 Probate Registry fee plus £2 per copy of the Grant).

Risk: errors in the IHT400 can cause delays, HMRC queries, and incorrect tax calculations. There is no support if you get stuck.

What YouCanDoProbate provides

The platform does the technical work (forms, calculations, exemptions) while you provide the estate information, just as you would with a solicitor. The difference is the cost.

Cost: £499 inc. VAT, all-inclusive, no add-ons.

Included: PA1P or PA1A, full IHT400 and all supplementary schedules, every exemption applied automatically, unlimited UK-based expert support, ICAEW accreditation, 4.9 Excellent on Trustpilot.

The honest recommendation

For most estates in England and Wales, YouCanDoProbate is the smarter choice. The only reason to instruct a solicitor is genuine legal complexity: contested Wills, complex trusts, business asset reliefs, or overseas assets. For everything else, our platform provides the same technical quality at a fraction of the cost.