Probate Fees BC: How Much Probate Costs in British Columbia and What Counts
How probate fees work in British Columbia: no fee up to $25,000, $6 then $14 per $1,000 above that, what property counts, the court filing fee, a worked table, and what families can do to keep it simple.
By Jonathan Kennedy · Last reviewed October 2026
BC charges no probate fee on an estate worth $25,000 or less, then $6 per $1,000 (or part of $1,000) on the value between $25,000 and $50,000, and $14 per $1,000 on the value above $50,000 (Probate Fee Act, s. 2, checked October 2026). That's about 1.4% on most of a larger estate. A separate court filing fee also applies to estates over $25,000.
Maybe a parent in Victoria or the Okanagan has died and the bank is asking for a grant of probate, or you're helping a parent plan and want to know what it will cost the family. The fee is set by law and easy to work out once you know what's counted.
Do this next:
- List the assets in your parent's name alone, with their value at the date of death.
- Check which accounts and policies have a named beneficiary; those usually pass outside the estate.
- Talk to a BC estate lawyer or notary about whether a grant is needed.
How much are probate fees in BC?
| Estate value | Probate fee |
|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | $0 |
| $50,000 | $150 |
| $100,000 | $850 |
| $250,000 | $2,950 |
| $500,000 | $6,450 |
| $1,000,000 | $13,450 |
Our arithmetic from the Act's rates: $6 per $1,000 on the slice from $25,000 to $50,000 ($150), plus $14 per $1,000 on everything above $50,000. The court filing fee is on top.
What property counts toward BC probate fees?
- Real estate and tangible personal property in BC (such as a house, a car or valuables), whether or not your parent lived in BC.
- Intangible property anywhere (bank accounts, investments) if your parent was ordinarily resident in BC just before death.
Assets that pass outside the will usually don't count: property held in joint tenancy that goes to the surviving owner, and RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs and life insurance with a named beneficiary other than the estate.
Our take: As in Ontario, don't add a child to the title of a parent's house or accounts just to avoid probate without advice. In BC the fee on a $500,000 estate is about $6,450; a family dispute or a tax mistake can cost far more.
How does BC compare with Ontario?
| BC | Ontario | |
|---|---|---|
| No fee up to | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Rate on most of the estate | $14 per $1,000 | $15 per $1,000 |
| Fee on $500,000 | About $6,450 | About $6,750 |
See our Ontario probate guide for the Ontario rules.
What else should BC families plan for?
- A will and a named executor, plus power of attorney in BC for while your parent is alive.
- Beneficiaries on registered plans and a successor holder on the TFSA.
- The tax on the final return, which is often larger than probate: see inheritance tax in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
How much are probate fees in BC?
Nothing on estates of $25,000 or less. Then $6 per $1,000 on the value from $25,000 to $50,000 and $14 per $1,000 above $50,000, so about $6,450 on a $500,000 estate, plus a court filing fee.
Does a house count toward probate in BC?
Yes, if it's in BC and in the deceased's name alone. A house held in joint tenancy passes to the surviving owner and isn't part of the estate.
Do RRSPs and RRIFs go through probate in BC?
Not when a person (not the estate) is named as beneficiary. They pass directly to that person, though they may still be taxed on the final return.
Is probate cheaper in BC or Ontario?
Slightly cheaper in BC for most estates: $14 per $1,000 on most of the value versus Ontario's $15 per $1,000. On a $500,000 estate, that's about $6,450 in BC and $6,750 in Ontario.
Does property outside BC count for BC probate fees?
Real estate outside BC doesn't. Bank accounts and investments anywhere count if the deceased was ordinarily resident in BC just before death.
Last reviewed October 2026. We keep our guides current as costs, programs, and options change.
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