Every province's probate fee schedule — plus a free calculator to estimate your estate's cost.
Probate fees (also called estate administration taxes) are charged by provincial courts when validating a will and granting the executor legal authority to administer an estate. Fees vary enormously across Canada — from zero in Alberta and Quebec (notarial wills) to roughly 1.5% of estate value in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
| Province/Territory | Fee Structure | $500K Estate | $1M Estate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $0 first $50K; $15/$1,000 over $50K | ~$6,750 | ~$14,250 |
| British Columbia | $0 first $25K; $6/$1K on $25K–$50K; $14/$1K over $50K | ~$6,483 | ~$13,483 |
| Alberta | Flat fee; max $525 | $525 | $525 |
| Quebec (notarial will) | None | $0 | $0 |
| Manitoba | $70 + $7/$1,000 over $10K | ~$3,430 | ~$6,930 |
| Saskatchewan | $7/$1,000 | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| Nova Scotia | Tiered; up to ~$17.77/$1,000 over $100K | ~$7,685 | ~$15,462 |
| New Brunswick | $5/$1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| PEI | Tiered; $4/$1,000 over $100K | ~$2,000 | ~$3,600 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $60 + $6/$1,000 over $1K | ~$3,054 | ~$6,054 |
| Yukon | $140 flat | $140 | $140 |
| NWT / Nunavut | $25 + $3/$1,000 over $10K | ~$1,495 | ~$2,995 |
Ontario's Estate Administration Tax is the most significant for large estates. The first $50,000 is exempt; everything above is taxed at ~$15 per $1,000. For a $1 million estate, that's approximately $14,250 in probate fees alone — before any legal or accounting costs.
Ontario allows "dual wills" to minimize probate: a primary will for probate-required assets, and a secondary will (for shares of private companies, personal effects) that avoids probate entirely.
BC uses a tiered structure. The effective rate on larger estates is approximately $14/$1,000 (1.4%) over $50,000. BC does not permit holograph wills, so all wills must be formally witnessed — but dual wills are available for probate minimization as well.
Alberta's flat fee structure (max $525) makes it the most probate-friendly province for large estates. A $2 million estate pays the same $525 as a $300,000 estate. This is a significant advantage for high-net-worth individuals in Alberta.
Quebec notarial wills require no probate whatsoever. The notary acts as a court of record, so the will is self-executing. This eliminates all probate fees and substantially speeds up estate administration. For anyone in Quebec with a significant estate, a notarial will is almost always the right choice.
Probate fees are charged on the probated estate — assets that pass through the will. Excluded:
Included (generally):
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