P ProbateBuddy

BC probate fee calculator

Enter the value of the estate passing under the grant to estimate the court fees an executor pays to apply for probate in British Columbia. Free to use, and nothing you enter leaves your browser.

Enter any amount, or use the slider.

Estimated court fees on this estate value

$10,150 CAD

An estimate of court fees only, calculated on the value of the estate passing under the grant. Assets that pass outside the estate are excluded. It is not legal advice, and it does not include legal fees, disbursements or any electronic filing charge.

First $25,000
$0
$25,000 to $50,000
$150
Above $50,000
$9,800
Court filing fee
$200
Total
$10,150
How this is calculated

The Probate Fee Act charges nothing on the first $25,000. It charges $6 for each $1,000 or part of $1,000 between $25,000 and $50,000, and $14 for each $1,000 or part of $1,000 above $50,000. “Part of $1,000” means each band rounds up to the next whole $1,000.

25 × $6 = $150
700 × $14 = $9,800
Filing fee $200

The $200 filing fee to start the proceeding comes from the Supreme Court Civil Rules, Appendix C, Schedule 1, and is not charged where the estate is $25,000 or less.

Things that do not change this figure, but matter

Real property in BC

Included at its value on the date of death. A BC Assessment figure is a starting point; an appraisal may be needed. Property held in joint tenancy with a right of survivorship usually passes outside the estate.

Private company shares or business assets

These need a defensible valuation, and they often raise tax and succession questions that are worth advice before the application is filed.

Assets outside BC, or a foreign grant

Other provinces and countries charge their own fees and have their own procedures, and resealing a foreign grant in BC follows a separate process. None of that is included here.

The executor’s sequence

The standard path for a BC estate with a will. Timelines are typical, not promised, and registries vary.

  1. Find the will and search for a wills notice

    Confirm you hold the original will, and obtain a wills notice search from BC Vital Statistics. The registry requires two copies of the search certificate with the application. Weeks 1 to 2

  2. Deliver notice of the proposed application

    Deliver notice in Form P1, with a copy of the will, to everyone entitled to it under Rule 25-2. The application cannot be filed until at least 21 days after delivery, so build that wait into the timeline. Weeks 2 to 4

  3. Inventory the estate at date of death

    Establish date of death values for property passing under the grant. Assets that pass outside the estate are listed separately and do not attract probate fees. Weeks 4 to 8

  4. File the application

    The submission for estate grant (Form P2), the applicant’s affidavit (Form P3 or P4), the affidavits of delivery (Form P9) and the affidavit of assets and liabilities (Form P10), with the $200 filing fee and the probate fee. Weeks 8 to 10

  5. Administer and distribute

    Collect the assets, pay the debts, file the final returns and obtain tax clearance. The Wills, Estates and Succession Act bars distribution within 210 days after the grant unless the court orders otherwise or the required consents are given. Months 3 to 6 and beyond

Common questions

What are probate fees in BC?

Nothing on the first $25,000 of the estate, $6 for each $1,000 or part of $1,000 between $25,000 and $50,000, and $14 for each $1,000 or part of $1,000 above that, plus a filing fee where the estate exceeds $25,000.

Which assets count?

Only assets passing under the grant. Jointly held property with a right of survivorship, registered accounts with a named beneficiary, and insurance payable to a named beneficiary usually pass outside the estate.

How long does probate take in BC?

It depends on the registry and the estate. Notice has to be delivered first, and the application cannot be filed until at least 21 days after that, unless the court shortens the wait. After filing, the time to a grant depends on the registry.

Do I need a lawyer?

Not always. A simple estate with a valid will and cooperative beneficiaries can be handled with good instructions. Get advice where there is a variation claim, a blended family, a business interest, or assets outside BC.

General information about BC probate, not legal advice. Confirm current forms, fees and notice requirements with the registry or with counsel before filing.