Probate in BC
BC Probate Fee Calculator
Use this BC probate fee calculator to estimate the probate fee and the court filing fee for a Grant of Probate or Administration in British Columbia. Enter the estate values, including debts registered against property, and see the working line by line.
This is an estimate based on the Probate Fee Act and the Supreme Court Civil Rules. It is general information, not legal advice. The fee is set on the values sworn in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Distribution. Other court charges, such as electronic filing and certified copies, are paid at cost.
How the BC probate fee calculator works out the fee
The BC probate fee is set by the Probate Fee Act. It goes to the province, not to a law firm, and it is paid before the court issues the Grant. There is no fee if the value of the estate does not exceed $25,000. Above that:
- $6 for every $1,000 or part of $1,000 from $25,000 up to $50,000 (a flat $150 once the estate is over $50,000), plus
- $14 for every $1,000 or part of $1,000 above $50,000.
“Or part of $1,000” means each started block is charged in full, so an estate of $80,001 and an estate of $81,000 pay the same fee. The court also charges a filing fee of $200 to start the application when the estate is over $25,000.
Examples from the BC probate fee calculator
| Value of the estate | Probate fee |
|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | $0 |
| $50,000 | $150 |
| $100,000 | $850 |
| $300,000 | $3,650 |
| $500,000 | $6,450 |
| $800,000 | $10,650 |
| $1,000,000 | $13,450 |
The court filing fee of $200 is added to each estate over $25,000. Other court charges, such as electronic filing and certified copies, are paid at cost. The table shows round figures, so use the BC probate fee calculator above for your own numbers. The probate fee is paid when the application is filed, before the court issues the Grant, and it is normally paid from the estate, not from the executor’s own pocket. Keep the receipt with the estate records for your file, because the executor needs it when the accounts are prepared.
What counts toward the value of the estate
The fee is based on the value of the estate: the gross value of the property that passes to the personal representative at death, as sworn in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Distribution filed with the application. That means real estate and tangible property in BC, and, if the person lived in BC, bank accounts and investments wherever they are held.
Property that goes straight to someone else is usually left out, such as a home held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship or an account with a named beneficiary. Ask us if you are not sure how an asset is held.
Debts secured against an asset are deducted from the value of that asset. For real estate, that means a mortgage, a registered lien or a judgment registered on title. A loan secured on a vehicle is treated the same way. Other debts, such as credit cards, unsecured loans and funeral costs, are not deducted. For example, a condo worth $750,000 with a $250,000 mortgage, plus $90,000 in the bank and a $10,000 car, gives a value of $600,000 and a probate fee of $7,850.
If a secured debt is larger than the value of the asset it is secured against, this BC probate fee calculator counts that asset at $0 and does not reduce your other assets. The Act does not say how the registry treats the excess, so ask us if this applies to you.
The same fee applies when you reseal a grant issued outside BC. For the whole picture of costs, read how much probate costs in BC. For the steps after the Grant, use our executor checklist. If you are the executor, our executor compensation calculator shows what the Trustee Act allows for your work.
Common Questions
Probate fee questions
How much is the probate fee in BC?
There is no probate fee if the value of the estate is $25,000 or less. Above that, the fee is $6 for every $1,000 or part of $1,000 from $25,000 to $50,000, plus $14 for every $1,000 or part of $1,000 above $50,000. For example, an estate valued at $500,000 pays a probate fee of $6,450. The court also charges a $200 filing fee for estates over $25,000.
Is the probate fee calculated before or after debts?
Debts registered against a property, such as a mortgage, a registered lien or a judgment registered on title, are deducted from the value of that property. Other debts, such as credit cards, unsecured loans and funeral costs, are not deducted and do not reduce the fee.
Which assets are included in the value of the estate?
The value includes real estate and tangible property in BC and, if the person lived in BC, bank accounts and investments wherever they are held, when they pass to the personal representative. Property that goes straight to someone else, such as a home held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship or an account with a named beneficiary, is usually left out. Each asset should be checked.
Is the fee the same for a Grant of Administration or resealing?
Yes. The same fee schedule applies to a Grant of Probate, a Grant of Administration and the resealing of a grant issued outside BC.
What if an asset is found after the Grant is issued?
The personal representative must tell the court about the asset and its value and pay the difference between the fee already paid and the fee that would have been payable if the asset had been included.
Need a lawyer for the Grant?
Our fee for the Grant of Probate is separate from the court fees above. We confirm it in writing before work starts. We act for executors and administrators online anywhere in BC, or in person at our South Surrey office. See our probate lawyer page.