The government is planning huge rises in the probate fees charged when an individual dies and leaves property to their relatives in a bid to raise an additional £250m a year.
The flat £215 fee will be replaced with a new system of tiered charges that would result in some paying as much as £20,000 for estates worth more than £2m.

Proposed new probate fees before inheritance tax:

£300 for estates worth more than £50,000 and up to £300,000
£1,000 for estates worth more than £300,000 and up to £500,000
£4,000 for estates worth more than £500,000 and up to £1m
£8,000 for estates worth more than £1m and up to £1.6m
£12,000 for estates worth more than £1.6m and up to £2m
£20,000 for estates worth more than £2m

 

Source: The Guardian online 19/02/2016