When a loved one passes away, managing their estate can feel overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. If you have been named executor of an estate in British Columbia, one of your first questions is probably: How much is this going to cost?
Probate is the court process where the Supreme Court of British Columbia confirms that a will is valid and that the executor has authority to deal with the estate. Not every estate needs probate, but when it does, you will pay a provincial probate fee, a court filing fee, legal fees, and a handful of administrative costs. (For the full process, see how the BC probate system works.)
At Cube Law Corporation in Surrey, we offer fixed-fee probate services for uncontested estates, so the legal side of the cost is known before you start. Here is how every cost in the process works for 2026.
What is the BC Provincial Probate Fee?
The probate fee is set by the Probate Fee Act and is based on the gross value of the estate’s assets in British Columbia at the date of death. It is a tiered fee:
- Estates of $25,000 or less: no probate fee.
- The portion between $25,000 and $50,000: $6 per $1,000 (0.6%), or part of $1,000. This band can never cost more than $150.
- The portion over $50,000: $14 per $1,000 (1.4%), or part of $1,000.
The court filing fee. On top of the probate fee, the Supreme Court registry charges a flat $200 filing fee for any estate over $25,000. Certified copies of the grant, which banks and land title offices often ask for, are extra.
Worked example: an $850,000 estate
This is a realistic figure for a Surrey or Lower Mainland home plus savings.
- First $25,000: $0
- Next $25,000: $150
- Remaining $800,000 at 1.4%: $11,200
- Court filing fee: $200
- Total government fees: $11,550
The probate fee is paid from the estate when the application is filed, so the executor does not pay it personally. The court will not issue the Grant of Probate until it is paid. For quick reference, a $500,000 estate comes to $6,650 in total government fees.
Legal Fees: Hourly Billing vs. Fixed Fee
The provincial fees are set by law. Legal fees are the part you can control. A probate application involves affidavits, notices to beneficiaries and others under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA), and a number of court forms, and most executors hire a lawyer to get them right.
Many firms bill probate by the hour, which means every call, email and revision adds to the final bill. For an uncontested estate, where the will is clear and the family agrees, open-ended billing is rarely necessary.
Our approach is a fixed fee. We review the estate, then give you a written quote for the work needed to prepare and file the probate application. The quote sets out exactly what is included. Government fees, disbursements and taxes are separate, and if the estate turns out to be more complex than quoted, we tell you in writing before anything changes.
Other Common Probate Costs
Budget for a few other expenses beyond the court fees and legal fees:
1. Wills Notice Search
Before applying, you must search the BC Vital Statistics Agency’s wills registry to confirm you are probating the deceased’s most recent will. The search costs $20, plus $5 for each additional name the deceased used. See the BC government wills registry page for current fees and how to apply.
2. Tax Preparation and Accounting
The executor files the deceased’s final personal income tax return and, in some cases, estate tax returns with the CRA. An accountant is strongly recommended, and you should obtain a CRA clearance certificate before distributing the estate.
3. Appraisals
Because the probate fee depends on the value of the estate, you need an accurate inventory of assets. Real estate, a business or valuable personal property may require a professional appraisal as at the date of death.
Can You Reduce Probate Fees in BC?
The best time to reduce probate fees is before death, through estate planning. As an executor, it helps to know which assets are not counted when the fee is calculated:
- Real estate held in joint tenancy, which passes directly to the surviving owner.
- Life insurance, RRSPs, RRIFs and TFSAs with a named beneficiary other than the estate.
- A mortgage registered against BC real estate, which is deducted from that property’s value before the fee is calculated. Ordinary debts such as credit cards are not deducted.
- Assets located outside BC, which are not counted for BC probate fees.
A word of caution: putting a home into joint tenancy to avoid probate has legal and tax consequences, and it can cause disputes. Get advice before changing how property is held. Our wills and estate planning lawyers can walk you through the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is probate always required in BC?
No. Assets held jointly, or with a named beneficiary, often pass outside the will, and some institutions release small accounts without a grant. Whether you need probate depends on what the deceased owned and who is holding it.
Do I pay probate fees on a house that has a mortgage?
The mortgage is deducted from the property’s value when the home is in BC, so you pay the fee only on the equity.
How much is the probate fee on a $500,000 estate?
$6,450 in probate fees, plus the $200 court filing fee, for $6,650 in total.
Getting Help with Probate in Surrey
If you are the executor of an uncontested estate in Surrey or the Lower Mainland and want a clear, written quote, get a fixed-fee probate quote. If you are still gathering documents, start with our executor’s checklist for BC. You can also read more about our probate lawyer services.