Best Estate Administration Services in the UK (2026): Compare Providers, Costs and Support

By Clare Townhill • Updated 18 February 2026
Disclaimer: Prices and ratings correct at time of writing.

Estate administration is the process of managing and distributing a person’s estate after death.

It includes applying for probate, dealing with inheritance tax, collecting assets, paying debts and distributing what remains to beneficiaries.

While probate is a key legal step, it is only one part of the wider estate administration process.

Some estates can be handled independently. Others involve enough complexity, time commitment or legal responsibility that executors choose to use a professional estate administration service.

This article explains how estate administration works, how much it costs, and how leading UK providers compare.

Estate administration vs probate: what’s the difference?

Probate is the legal authority to deal with an estate. It results in a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration, where there is no will).

Estate administration is the full process that follows, including:

• Valuing assets and liabilities.
• Completing inheritance tax forms.
• Applying for probate.
• Collecting money and investments.
• Selling property (if required).
• Paying debts and taxes.
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

In simple terms: probate is one step within estate administration, not a type of it. Many providers now offer both probate-only services and full estate administration.

Can estate administration be done without professional help?

Yes. Executors are allowed to administer an estate themselves, and for straightforward estates, this can be appropriate.

According to MoneySavingExpert, DIY estate administration can be suitable where:

• The estate is simple.
• There is a valid will.
• No inheritance tax is due.
• Assets are easy to identify and collect.

Estate administration becomes more challenging where inheritance tax is payable, property must be sold, or assets or beneficiaries are complex. In these cases, professional support can reduce risk and time commitment.

How much does estate administration cost?

Costs vary depending on how much of the process you hand over, how fees are calculated, and the type of provider you use.

Typical UK cost ranges:

• Probate-only services: £500–£2,000.
• Full estate administration: £2,500+, rising with complexity.

Fee structures vary: fixed fees (based on complexity), hourly rates, or a percentage of estate value (often 1%–5% + VAT). Fixed fees are often chosen for cost certainty, particularly for higher-value but moderately complex estates.

What are the best estate administration services in the UK?

To allow a fair comparison, the table below uses published starting prices for estate administration services for the simplest estates.

The prices displayed include VAT but exclude the £300 probate registry fees and other disbursements.

Note: Simply Probate and Final Duties do not publish standard prices upfront. However, both of their fixed-fee quote processes are simple and typically involve answering around five short questions, with the option to select “I don’t know” where details are unclear or unknown.

Note: Estate administration can be a long process, which is often misunderstood. Specialists can provide reassurance and legal expertise in complex cases. Providers that offer other legal services, such as will writing, may score highly on Trustpilot for those services.

Provider profiles

Kings Court Trust

Kings Court Trust is a specialist provider focused exclusively on probate and estate administration.

It offers both probate-only services and full estate administration nationally, where the provider manages the process end-to-end, from applying for probate through to distributing the estate. They offer dedicated personal estate managers for a single point of contact.

A key feature is fixed-fee pricing, agreed upfront based on estate complexity rather than value. Its services are delivered by legally qualified specialists and regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). For full estate administration, fees are typically paid out of the estate, so executors do not have to pay upfront.

Kings Court Trust is well-suited to moderate to complex estates where executors want end-to-end support with cost certainty, particularly where inheritance tax or property is involved. They have been recognised at the British Wills & Probate Awards as Probate Provider of the Year across multiple years (2019–2021, 2024 South, and 2025 for Innovation & Transformation).

Trustpilot: 4.4★ (800+ reviews).

Farewill

Farewill provides fixed-fee probate and estate administration through a digitally led model, working with SRA-regulated law firms. Pricing is published upfront, with a clear split between probate-only and full estate administration.

The service covers valuation, probate, inheritance tax reporting, asset collection and distribution. Farewill suits straightforward to moderately complex estates where executors value transparency, communication and predictable costs.

Its Trustpilot score is among the highest in this category. Reviews are largely driven by their will writing services, rather than probate — mirrored by their award as National Will Writing Firm of the Year in 2019.

Trustpilot: 4.9★ (19,700+ reviews). Note: This rating may be influenced by will-writing services.

Octopus Legacy

Octopus Legacy offers both probate-only services and full estate administration, with fixed fees linked to complexity, not estate value. Full administration includes probate, inheritance tax reporting, asset collection, settlement of liabilities and distribution.

Pricing is agreed upfront once estate details are known. Octopus Legacy suits straightforward to moderately complex estates, particularly where executors want professional handling without percentage-based charging.

In 2025, they were awarded Best Estate Planning Firm (Large), Customer Service Champions, and Wills & Probate Excellence.

Trustpilot: 4.6★ (1,500+ reviews). Note: This rating may reflect all legal services, not just estate administration.

Co-op Legal Services

Co-op Legal Services provides full estate administration through SRA-regulated solicitors. It publishes worked examples rather than a single headline price, reflecting different estate types.

Fees are often paid from the estate, which can help with cash flow. Co-op may suit executors who want solicitor oversight from a national provider, without the bespoke pricing often associated with private client law firms.

Trustpilot: 4.5★ (10,000+ reviews). Note: This rating may reflect all legal services, not just estate administration.

Final Duties

Final Duties provides probate and full estate administration. It positions itself as a fixed-fee provider but does not publish prices upfront. Instead, executors complete a short questionnaire before receiving a tailored quote.

This can suit those who prefer a personalised fixed fee and are comfortable engaging before seeing a price. Review volumes are smaller than for national providers, though feedback is generally positive.

Trustpilot: 4.7★ (38 reviews).

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell is a full-service law firm offering solicitor-led estate administration. Fees are usually charged hourly or as a percentage of the estate, reflecting the breadth of legal expertise available.

This approach is most appropriate for complex, high-value or contentious estates, including trusts, tax planning, overseas assets or disputes. They won Best National Probate Law Firm in 2024 and are frequently shortlisted at the British Wills & Probate Awards.

Trustpilot: 4.8★ (12,500+ reviews). Note: This rating may reflect all legal services, not just estate administration.

Regulation and consumer protections

Estate administration isn’t a regulated area; only the extraction of the Grant of Probate is a reserved legal activity.

It’s best practice to choose a regulated provider for extra security and peace of mind. Common regulators include the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) and CILEx.

SRA-regulated providers (solicitors)

Solicitors are fully qualified lawyers, often used for complex or disputed estates. Individual solicitors can still be regulated by the SRA even if their firm or company isn’t. All SRA-regulated providers offer professional standards, insurance and access to the Legal Ombudsman.

ICAEW-regulated providers (specialist practitioners)

ICAEW is an approved regulator and licensing authority for probate services. Regulated firms commonly offer fixed-fee estate administration and receive ongoing monitoring to ensure high standards of service. ICAEW also provides access to the Legal Ombudsman.

CLC-regulated providers

CLC-regulated providers are specialist probate practitioners held to high standards of quality and conduct.

Key takeaway: All regulated routes provide professional standards, insurance and access to the Legal Ombudsman. The right choice depends on estate complexity and the level of legal expertise required.

Pros and cons of using a full estate administration service

How to choose the right estate administration service

When comparing providers, consider:

• The complexity of the estate.
• How much responsibility you want to take on.
• Whether cost certainty matters more than legal breadth.
• What exactly is included in the service.
• How transparent the fees are before you commit.

There is no single “best” provider — the right choice depends on the estate and the executor’s confidence and time.

Scotland: important differences

This article focuses on England and Wales. In Scotland, the process is called confirmation and follows different rules. Official guidance is available from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.

Estate administration glossary

Key terms used in this guide:

• Estate administration: The process of dealing with an estate after death, handling assets, debts, and taxes before issuing beneficiaries their inheritance.
• Probate: Legal authority to deal with an estate.
• Grant of Probate: Issued by the Probate Registry where there is a will.
• Letters of Administration: Issued by the Probate Registry where there is no will.
• Executor: Person responsible for the estate named in the will.
• Administrator: Person appointed to administer the estate when there is no will.
• Inheritance Tax (IHT): Tax that may be due on larger estates when the estate exceeds all allowances.
• Disbursements: Third-party costs paid from the estate.

Final takeaway

• Simple estates: consider DIY administration or probate-only support first.
• Moderate complexity: fixed-fee specialists can offer clarity, support and cost certainty.
• High complexity or disputes: solicitor-led services may be the most appropriate choice.

Professional help for estate administration is not mandatory, but for many executors it provides reassurance and reduces personal risk. Understanding what’s included, how fees are charged, and how providers are regulated makes it easier to choose the right level of support — without paying for help you don’t need or taking on more responsibility than you expect.