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Probate Filing Fees in NSW
Probate filing fees in NSW are set by the Supreme Court and depend on the gross value of the estate. Here is the current fee schedule, the notice charges that sit alongside it, and how the costs are recovered from the estate.
No consultation fee for filing fees. Enquiring is free.
How are probate filing fees worked out?
The filing fee is based on the gross value of the estate, and the Supreme Court reviews its schedule annually on 1 July. Probate itself is the Court's formal approval of a will and of the executor's authority to act. Gross value counts the NSW assets the deceased held solely, such as bank accounts, real estate and shares. It excludes jointly owned property, and typically superannuation and life insurance unless they are paid directly to the estate.
Probate fee calculator - what will it cost?
To work out your filing fee, take the gross value of the NSW assets the deceased held solely and find the bracket it falls into in the schedule below. That bracket amount is the court filing fee - there is nothing more to calculate for the lodgement itself, though notice charges (below) sit alongside it. If you are unsure which assets count towards gross value, we can confirm it quickly.
NSW Supreme Court filing fee schedule (from 1 July 2026)
The schedule below applies to applications filed on or after 1 July 2026, and applies until 30 June 2027. These fees are set by the Supreme Court of NSW, are GST-exempt, and must be paid when the application is lodged. The Court reissues its schedule each 1 July - if today is after 30 June 2027, please confirm the current figures with the Court or with us before relying on them.
| Gross value of estate | Filing fee |
|---|---|
| Under $100,000 | No fee |
| $100,000 to under $250,000 | $960 |
| $250,000 to under $500,000 | $1,303 |
| $500,000 to under $1,000,000 | $1,999 |
| $1,000,000 to under $2,000,000 | $2,663 |
| $2,000,000 to under $5,000,000 | $4,439 |
| $5,000,000 or more | $7,399 |
How much does probate cost in NSW altogether?
Three amounts make up the cost of a straightforward grant: the court filing fee (from the schedule above - nil to $7,399 depending on estate value), the online notice charge ($59), and the regulated solicitor costs for obtaining the grant (from the Schedule 3 scale below - for example, about $5,022 on a $900,000 estate). All three are expenses of the estate, recovered from estate funds rather than paid personally.
What court notices and charges apply?
Publishing an online notice to apply for a grant of Probate, Administration or Reseal - or a Notice of Intended Distribution or Intention to File Accounts - costs $59. Amending and republishing an online notice costs $23. The Notice of Intended Distribution is optional, but recommended because it protects the executor.
How are legal costs for probate regulated?
Solicitor costs for obtaining a grant follow Schedule 3 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Regulation 2015 (NSW). The scale is set by regulation rather than by us, and is based on the disclosed value of the estate assets. Where the disclosed value is above the top band shown, the regulated cost is calculated under the corresponding higher band in Schedule 3 - tell us the value and we will confirm the exact figure before any work begins.
| Disclosed value of assets | Regulated cost |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | $560 plus $13.33 per $1,000 |
| $30,000 to under $150,000 | $960 plus $5.90 per $1,000 over $30,000 |
| $150,000 to under $1,000,000 | $1,670 plus $4.47 per $1,000 over $150,000 |
Who pays the fees, and how does reimbursement work?
Probate costs are expenses of the estate, not of the executor personally. The executor typically pays them upfront and recovers the amounts from estate funds once the assets have been collected.
How do you lodge a probate application?
The process runs in four steps. First, calculate the gross value of the estate. Second, gather the required documents, including the original will, any codicils and the death certificate. Third, prepare and lodge the probate application with the will, affidavit, inventory and filing fee - the Notice of Intended Application is published automatically when the application is submitted. Fourth, await the grant of probate - a straightforward application is usually dealt with by the Registry within 4 to 6 weeks.
How we can help
- Confirming the gross value of the estate, so you know which fee bracket applies
- Explaining the regulated Schedule 3 costs for your estate value before any work starts
- Lodging the application and paying the filing fee on the estate’s behalf
- Applying for a fee reduction or exemption where the estate is small or there is hardship
Common questions
Who actually pays the fees?
The executor pays the filing fee at lodgement, then recovers it from the estate. Because the cost is deducted from estate funds, it is ultimately the beneficiaries who bear it.
Are solicitor fees the same as the Court's filing fee?
No. The court filing fee is a government charge, while solicitor costs are regulated professional costs that cover preparing the application. Both are payable by the estate.
What does 'gross value' of the estate mean?
It is the total value of all NSW assets held solely by the deceased. For example, a $900,000 house plus $50,000 in accounts gives a gross value of $950,000, which falls in the $500,000 to under $1,000,000 fee band.
Are both notices required?
The Notice of Intended Application is published automatically when the probate application is submitted, so it no longer needs to be arranged separately. The Notice of Intended Distribution is optional, but it is recommended because it gives the executor protection when distributing the estate.
How often do filing fees change?
The Supreme Court updates its fee schedule annually on 1 July. It is worth verifying the current schedule before lodging so you pay the correct amount.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different - for advice on your matter, request an initial consultation. Enquiring is free, and there is no initial consultation fee for filing fees matters.
Sources: Supreme Court of NSW - filing fees · Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Regulation 2015 (NSW), Schedule 3
Request your initial consultation.
Sit down with a solicitor, tell your story, and leave knowing where you stand. Enquiring is free, there is no consultation fee for wills, conveyancing, powers of attorney, deceased estates or contested estates, and for other matters an initial consultation is $275 - full costs explained before any work begins.