How Much Does Probate Cost in BC? Fees, and What You'll Actually Pay

If you're settling an estate in British Columbia, the first money question is usually: what does probate itself cost? Here are the real numbers, a worked example, and what's not a probate fee (so you're not blindsided later).

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BC probate fees, exactly

British Columbia charges a probate fee based on the gross value of the estate that passes through probate:

• $0 if the estate is $25,000 or less
• $6 for every $1,000 (0.6%) on the value between $25,000 and $50,000
• $14 for every $1,000 (1.4%) on the value above $50,000
• Plus a $200 court filing fee for estates over $25,000

A worked example

For a $500,000 estate:

• First $25,000 → $0
• $25,000–$50,000 (that $25,000 band) → $25,000 × $6/1,000 = $150
• Above $50,000 ($450,000) → $450,000 × $14/1,000 = $6,300
• Filing fee → $200
• Total ≈ $6,650

So on a half-million-dollar estate, the probate fee is roughly $6,650 — a little over 1.3% of the total.

What counts toward the value?

The fee is based on the value of the estate passing through probate at the date of death — typically real estate in BC held in the deceased's sole name, plus bank and investment accounts that require the grant to release. Assets that pass outside the estate usually don't count (see below).

What is NOT a probate fee (budget for these separately)

People often conflate everything into "probate cost." Keep these straight:

• Legal fees — if you hire a lawyer or notary to handle the application, that's a separate cost (often a flat fee or hourly), not the government probate fee.
• Income tax — the deceased's final tax return (and any estate income) is a separate matter handled with an accountant. BC/Canada has no estate or inheritance tax, but capital gains can apply at death.
• Clean-out, appraisal, and sale costs if there's property to value or sell.

What can reduce or avoid the fee

Because probate fees apply to assets passing through the estate, common planning during life can reduce them — for example assets held in joint tenancy (which pass to the survivor) or accounts with a named beneficiary (RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, insurance). These are planning decisions with real tax and legal trade-offs — confirm with a BC estate lawyer or notary before relying on them, and never assume a joint account avoids disputes.

How you actually pay it

The probate fee is paid to the Supreme Court of BC when you submit the application for the grant of probate (or administration). Your lawyer or notary typically handles the calculation and payment as part of the application; if you're self-filing, it's submitted with your application documents.

→ Find a BC estate lawyer or notary to handle (or check) your probate: https://foxglove.estate/bc

Foxglove is a guide, not a law firm. General information about BC probate fees, not legal or tax advice; amounts can change — confirm current figures with the Supreme Court of BC or a qualified BC professional.