How much does probate cost in NSW?
NSW probate filing fees are set on a sliding scale by the Supreme Court Regulation 2022 (NSW) — roughly $896 for estates up to $250,000, rising to around $6,778 for estates over $5 million (2025-26). Legal fees on top typically range from $1,800 for a simple grant to $12,000+ for complex estates, usually charged on the regulated scale under Schedule 3 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Regulation 2015 (NSW) or on a time basis.
The sliding-scale filing fee
The NSW Supreme Court probate filing fee is banded by the gross value of the estate. For 2025-26: up to $250,000 around $896; $250,001-$500,000 around $1,215; $500,001-$1m around $1,835; $1m-$2m around $2,448; $2m-$5m around $4,077; above $5m around $6,778. These are disbursements — the client pays them on top of legal fees.
Regulated legal costs under the Uniform Law
Schedule 3 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Regulation 2015 (NSW) sets a scale of costs for probate work. Many NSW firms quote on the scale for straightforward estates. For more complex estates, time costing is used, with disclosure required under Part 4.3 of the Uniform Law.
Typical total cost ranges
Simple estate (single property, cash, no dispute): $3,000-$6,000 all-inclusive of fees and disbursements. Medium estate (multiple assets, some interstate): $6,000-$12,000. Complex estate (business interests, contested, overseas assets): $15,000-$50,000+. A family provision claim under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) can materially add to cost.
How I help NSW wills and estates lawyers
I draft the probate application, affidavit of executor, and inventory of property in current NSW Supreme Court format, and flag any issues with will execution under section 6 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW). This reduces paralegal time by roughly half on a standard grant.
Common issues
- The filing fee is based on gross, not net, estate value — debts do not reduce the fee band
- A NSW grant is required to deal with NSW real property even if the deceased died interstate — a reseal may be needed
- Contested matters move to the Equity Division list and add significant cost
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