Canadian probate fee calculator
Estimate the provincial probate fee — sometimes called the estate administration tax — on any estate value, across all 10 provinces and 3 territories. Every formula links back to the underlying statute.
How this is calculated
- 1.$0.00 – $50,000.00 → $50,000.00 × 0% = $0.00
- 2.$50,000.00 – no cap → $450,000.00 × 1.5% = $6,750.00
Note: Estates valued at $50,000 or less: no Estate Administration Tax. Estates over $50,000: $15 per $1,000 (1.5%) on the value above $50,000. Verify at the linked statute — fee structure was modified in 2020.
Source: Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998. Last verified 2026-05-21.
Disclaimer. Approximate fee structures only — provincial fee schedules change. Verify against the linked statute before relying on any calculation. Not legal advice.
How this calculator works
Each Canadian province sets its own probate fee schedule by statute. Some use a flat percentage on the estate's value (Saskatchewan, Ontario above $50,000), some use tiered flat fees by bracket (Alberta, Yukon, NWT, Nunavut), and some combine the two (Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick).
Manitoba abolished probate fees in 2020. Quebec charges no estate-value-based fee — only a small flat court fee for non-notarial wills.
For the cleanest result, enter the gross fair-market value of the estate before deductions. The probate fee is generally calculated on the value of assets that pass under the will — jointly-held property and assets with named beneficiaries typically do not count toward this base.
Frequently asked questions
What is a probate fee?
A probate fee (sometimes called an estate administration tax) is the fee the provincial court charges to validate a deceased person's will and confirm the executor's authority. It's calculated as a percentage of the estate's value or a flat-fee bracket, depending on the province.
Is the probate fee the same as estate tax?
No. Canada does not have an inheritance tax or estate tax at the federal level. The probate fee is a provincial administrative charge for validating the will. Separately, the deceased's final income tax return may owe capital gains and other taxes — those are different from the probate fee.
Which province's fee applies if the deceased lived in one province but owned property in another?
The probate fee applies in each province where probate is sought. Real estate generally requires probate in the province where it is located, regardless of the deceased's residence. Talk to a lawyer about cross-jurisdictional estates — the analysis is fact-specific.
How accurate is this calculator?
The fee formulas are based on each province's published statute and are reviewed quarterly. However, the actual fee can vary based on what's included in the estate (e.g., joint property, beneficiary-designated accounts) and exemptions that apply. Treat the result as an estimate, and verify with the provincial court or an estate lawyer before relying on it.
Can I reduce the probate fee on my estate?
Yes, in several ways. Assets that pass outside the will — joint property with right of survivorship, RRSPs and TFSAs with named beneficiaries, life insurance with named beneficiaries — generally avoid probate. So do assets held in a properly structured trust. Each strategy has trade-offs and should be reviewed with a Canadian estate planner before being put in place.