Probate Fees in Canada by Province and Territory (2026 Comparison)

Probate fees in Canada depend entirely on where the deceased lived and where their property is located, because each province and territory sets its own schedule. On a $1,000,000 estate, the fee ranges from nothing in Manitoba and a flat $525 in Alberta to about $14,000 in Ontario and New Brunswick and more than $16,000 in Nova Scotia. The table below compares all 13 jurisdictions using each government's official schedule as of November 2026.

This guide covers the fee schedule in every province and territory, which assets generally count toward the probate value, the common legal ways people reduce probate, and when it makes sense to involve a wills and estates lawyer. It is general information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the court registry before you file.

What are probate fees?

Probate is the court process that confirms a will is valid and gives the executor (called an estate trustee in Ontario, a personal representative in some provinces and a liquidator in Quebec) legal authority to deal with the deceased's assets. Banks, land registries and investment firms often refuse to release or transfer assets without it.

The fee charged for that court grant goes by different names. Ontario calls it Estate Administration Tax, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia call it a tax, Saskatchewan calls it a levy and most other jurisdictions call it a court fee. Whatever the label, it is paid from the estate, usually when the application is filed. It is separate from lawyer fees, executor compensation and the income tax owed on the deceased's final return.

Probate fees by province: comparison table

The table shows the fee on an estate valued at $500,000 and at $1,000,000 for probate purposes, calculated by LawyersList directly from each official schedule ^{[1] [3] [4] [5] [7] [8] [9] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]}. It assumes the full value is subject to the fee and ignores filing or registry charges unless noted.

As a rough rule, the four highest jurisdictions take between 1.35% and 1.63% of a $1,000,000 estate, while the five with flat or no fees charge less than 0.06%.

How the math works

Every percentage-based schedule rounds up to the next $1,000 (or $100 in Newfoundland and Labrador), then applies the rate to the portion above any threshold. For example, Ontario on $500,000: $500,000 minus $50,000 is $450,000, and 450 times $15 is $6,750 ^[7]. British Columbia on $1,000,000: 25 times $6 is $150 for the $25,000 to $50,000 band, plus 950 times $14 is $13,300, for $13,450 ^[1]. Nova Scotia on $1,000,000: $1,002.65 plus 900 times $16.95, or $15,255, for $16,257.65 ^[11].

Probate fees in each province and territory

The schedules below come from each jurisdiction's statute, regulation or official court fee page. "Value" means the value of the estate as defined by that jurisdiction's law, which is not always the same as everything the person owned.

British Columbia

Under the Probate Fee Act, no fee is payable if the estate is worth $25,000 or less. Above that, the fee is $6 for every $1,000 or part of $1,000 between $25,000 and $50,000, plus $14 for every $1,000 or part of $1,000 above $50,000 ^[1]. The value is the gross value of the deceased's real and tangible personal property in BC, plus, if they ordinarily lived in BC, their intangible property such as bank accounts and investments wherever located ^[1]. Because it is a gross value, debts are not subtracted. A separate $200 court filing fee applies to estates over $25,000 ^[2]. If you need help in BC, browse wills and estates lawyers in British Columbia.

Alberta

Alberta has one of the lowest probate costs in the country. The court fee for a grant of probate or administration is based on the net value of property in Alberta [3]:

• $10,000 or less: $35
• Over $10,000 to $25,000: $135
• Over $25,000 to $125,000: $275
• Over $125,000 to $250,000: $400
• Over $250,000: $525

That $525 cap applies whether the estate is worth $300,000 or $30 million ^[3]. You can compare wills and estates lawyers in Alberta if the estate is complex.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan charges a court levy of $7 per $1,000 (or portion) of the estate's assets listed in Part 1 of the Statement of Property, under section 51 of The Administration of Estates Act ^[4]. There is no tax-free threshold, so the levy works out to 0.7% of the whole value. The government lists a separate $300 Local Registrar fee for small-estate applications ^[4]; check with the registry for the filing fee that applies to yours.

Manitoba

Manitoba eliminated probate fees. Bill 2, The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2020, amended The Law Fees and Probate Charge Act as of November 6, 2020 and renamed it The Court Services Fees Act, which applies to applications filed after that date regardless of the date of death ^[6]. The current Act charges prescribed fees for court services but contains no probate charge ^[5]. Applications filed on or before November 5, 2020 remained under the old rules.

Ontario

Ontario's Estate Administration Tax is $0 on estates of $50,000 or less and $15 for every $1,000 (or part) above $50,000, with the value rounded up to the nearest thousand ^[7]. Mortgages on Ontario real estate can be deducted, but most other debts cannot. An Estate Information Return is due within 180 days after the certificate is issued ^[7]. For worked examples, deductions and the Small Estate Certificate, see our detailed guide to probate fees in Ontario.

Quebec

Probate in Quebec works differently. A notarial will is an authentic act and does not need to be probated ^[8]. A holograph (handwritten) will or a will made before witnesses must be probated after death, either by a notary or by the Superior Court ^[8]. Quebec does not charge a fee based on the estate's value; you pay a fixed court fee or the notary's professional fee ^[8]. Check the current amount with the courthouse or notary. Find wills and estates lawyers in Quebec or a notary if you are unsure which type of will you have.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick's probate tax rose sharply in 2026. Bill 35, An Act to Amend the Probate Court Act, sets a new Schedule A ^[9], and the change applies to applications filed on or after June 12, 2026 [10]:

• Estates of $20,000 or less: $200
• Over $20,000 to $100,000: $200 plus $5 per $1,000 (or part) above $20,000
• Over $100,000: $600 plus $15 per $1,000 (or part) above $100,000

Under the old schedule, larger estates paid $5 per $1,000, so a $1,000,000 estate owed $5,000 ^[10]. It now owes $14,100. Estate plans made under the old rates may be worth reviewing.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has the highest probate cost in Canada on larger estates. Section 87 of the Probate Act imposes a tax on assets that pass by will or on intestacy [11]:

• Up to $10,000: $85.60
• Over $10,000 to $25,000: $215.20
• Over $25,000 to $50,000: $358.15
• Over $50,000 to $100,000: $1,002.65
• Over $100,000: $1,002.65 plus $16.95 for every $1,000 or fraction above $100,000

If an inventory filed later shows the estate was worth more than first stated, additional tax is payable ^[11]. Browse wills and estates lawyers in Nova Scotia for local help.

Prince Edward Island

Under section 119.1 of the Probate Act, the fee is based on "probate value", which means the gross assets of the estate, not counting life insurance paid to a named beneficiary [12]:

• Up to $10,000: $50
• $10,001 to $25,000: $100
• $25,001 to $50,000: $200
• $50,001 to $100,000: $400
• Over $100,000: $400 plus $4 for each $1,000 or fraction above $100,000

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Supreme Court charges $60 for letters of probate or administration on estates up to $1,000, plus $0.60 for each additional $100 above $1,000 ^[13]. That is effectively 0.6% of the value. Grants made before June 23, 2015 used a lower rate of $0.50 per $100 ^[13].

Yukon

Yukon charges a flat $140 for every grant of probate and administration. No fee is payable where the estate is worth $25,000 or less ^[14].

Northwest Territories

The fee depends on the value of property in the Northwest Territories after deducting debts and liabilities against it: $30 up to $10,000, $110 up to $25,000, $215 up to $125,000, $325 up to $250,000 and $435 above $250,000 ^[15].

Nunavut

Nunavut's Court Fees Regulations use the same net-value approach: $30 up to $10,000, $110 up to $25,000, $215 up to $125,000, $325 up to $250,000 and $425 above $250,000 ^[16]. The figures are from the 2021 official consolidation, so confirm with the court registry in Iqaluit before filing.

What assets are included in probate fees?

The rules differ by jurisdiction, but the same broad pattern applies across Canada. Assets that pass under the will, or under intestacy rules if there is no will, usually count. Assets that pass directly to someone else outside the will usually do not.

Generally included:

• Real estate owned solely by the deceased, or as a tenant in common, in the province or territory
• Bank accounts and investments in the deceased's name alone
• Vehicles, boats and personal belongings
• RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs and life insurance with no named beneficiary, or with "my estate" named as beneficiary

Generally excluded:

• Registered plans and life insurance with a named living beneficiary
• Property held in joint tenancy that passes automatically to the surviving owner
• Real estate in another province, which is usually subject to that province's probate rules instead

Debts are treated very differently. BC and PEI use gross value ^{[1] [12]}, Ontario allows only mortgages on Ontario real estate to be deducted ^[7], and the three territories and Alberta calculate the fee on net value ^{[3] [15] [16]}. If the deceased owned real estate in more than one province, the estate may need a grant or resealing in each one and pay fees in each.

How to avoid probate in Canada legally

There is no single way to avoid probate everywhere, and in low-fee jurisdictions like Alberta or Manitoba there is little to save. In Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick and BC, planning can make a real difference. Each tool below has trade-offs.

Beneficiary designations

Outside Quebec, RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, pension plans and life insurance policies can usually name a beneficiary directly, so the money passes outside the estate. Review designations after marriage, separation or a death in the family, and avoid naming "my estate" unless you mean to. In Quebec, designations on registered plans are generally limited to insurance products, so ask a notary or lawyer.

Joint ownership, with caveats

Holding property in joint tenancy with a right of survivorship means it passes directly to the surviving owner. This is common between spouses. Adding an adult child is riskier:

• When a parent puts an account in joint names with an adult child, the law generally presumes the child holds it in trust for the parent's estate unless there is proof the parent intended a gift ^[17].
• Any joint holder can withdraw money, and the asset can be exposed to the child's creditors or a family law claim.
• Adding someone to title can trigger income tax on any gain and may cost a principal residence exemption.
• Siblings left out of a joint asset often challenge the arrangement, which can cost more than the probate saved.

Multiple wills

In Ontario, BC and some other provinces, lawyers sometimes draft a primary will for assets that need probate and a secondary will for assets that do not, such as private company shares. Whether this works, and how much it saves, depends on the jurisdiction and careful drafting.

Gifts and trusts

Lifetime gifts, alter ego trusts and joint partner trusts can move assets out of the estate. They carry setup costs, ongoing tax filings and loss of control. Avoiding probate never avoids income tax: the deceased is generally treated as having disposed of their capital property at death, and the executor must file a final return ^[18].

When should you hire a wills and estates lawyer?

Many simple estates can be probated using the court's forms. A lawyer, or a notary in Quebec or BC, is worth considering when:

• The deceased owned real estate in more than one province or outside Canada
• There is no will, or the will is handwritten, altered or unclear
• The estate includes a business, private company shares or a family trust
• Family members disagree or someone may challenge the will
• Assets were held jointly with an adult child and it is unclear who owns them
• You are planning your own estate and want to use designations, joint ownership or multiple wills correctly

Start with our directory of wills and estates lawyers across Canada, and use our guide on how to find a lawyer in Canada to prepare questions for your first consultation.