The current cost of applying a grant of probate in England and Wales (the document giving the personal representatives legal authority to take charge over the deceased’s affairs) is set to increase under the proposals from £155 to up to £6,000 for some estates. These proposals are proving hugely controversial, not least because a fee of such magnitude should properly be classed as a “tax” and introduced via an Act of Parliament requiring a full Parliamentary vote in order to pass. These proposals are being introduced via secondary legislation and a procedure that is expected to see the legislation easily enacted. We explain the background, details on the proposed new fee bands and why they have sparked such opposition among the public and practitioners alike in this earlier Wedlake Bell update.
Please click here to read the full article, that was originally published by the FT Adviser.