Probate Fees in Canada by Province (2026)
Last updated: March 2026
Key Insight: Probate fees vary dramatically across Canada. Alberta charges a maximum of $525 regardless of estate size. Ontario charges 1.5% on estates over $50,000. Quebec notarial wills bypass probate entirely. Smart estate planning can legally eliminate or dramatically reduce these fees.
Probate Fees by Province — Summary Table (2026)
| Province | Rate / Structure | Example: $500K Estate | Example: $1M Estate |
|---|
| Ontario | 0% ≤$50K; 1.5% above $50K | $6,750 | $14,250 |
| British Columbia | 0% ≤$25K; 0.6% $25K–$50K; 1.4% above | $6,800 | $13,800 |
| Alberta | Flat fee, max $525 | $525 | $525 |
| Quebec (notarial) | $0 — no probate | $0 | $0 |
| Quebec (non-notarial) | Court filing fees (~$500–$1,500) | ~$1,000 | ~$1,500 |
| Nova Scotia | ~1.6% | $8,000 | $16,000 |
| Saskatchewan | ~0.7% | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| Manitoba | ~0.3% | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| New Brunswick | ~0.5% | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Newfoundland | ~0.6% | $3,000 | $6,000 |
Ontario Probate Fees (Estate Administration Tax)
Ontario's Estate Administration Tax (EAT) is calculated as:
- $0 on the first $50,000 of estate value
- $15 per $1,000 (1.5%) on every dollar above $50,000
For a $750,000 estate: ($750,000 − $50,000) × 1.5% = $10,500
Paid upfront when applying for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee. The estate value used is the gross value of assets passing through the will — not net of debts.
British Columbia Probate Fees
BC's probate fee structure under the Probate Fee Act:
- $0 on first $25,000
- $6 per $1,000 (0.6%) on $25,001 – $50,000
- $14 per $1,000 (1.4%) on everything over $50,000
Alberta: Canada's Best Probate Deal
Alberta has a flat-fee probate schedule — one of the great advantages of Alberta's tax-friendly regime:
- Estate $100 or less: $35
- $10,001 – $25,000: $135
- $25,001 – $125,000: $275
- $125,001 – $250,000: $400
- Over $250,000: $525 maximum
On a $2 million estate, Alberta charges $525 while Ontario would charge $29,250. This is one reason some Canadians consider Alberta domicile for estate planning purposes.
Quebec: Notarial Wills Bypass Probate Entirely
Quebec's civil law system allows notarial wills to bypass the homologation (probate) process completely. A notarial will is presumed authentic, is filed in the official notarial register, and can be acted upon immediately after death. The savings on a large estate can be enormous:
- A $1M estate in Ontario: $14,250 in probate fees + months of delay
- A $1M estate with a Quebec notarial will: $0 in probate + immediate access
Legal Ways to Reduce Probate Fees
Because probate fees apply to assets passing through the will, planning to keep assets outside the estate can be effective:
- Named beneficiaries: RRSPs, TFSAs, and life insurance with named beneficiaries pass outside the estate
- Joint tenancy: Property held in joint tenancy passes by right of survivorship, avoiding probate
- Inter vivos trusts: Assets transferred to a trust during your lifetime are not part of your estate (though income attribution rules may apply)
- Multiple wills (Ontario): Ontario allows two wills — one for assets requiring probate, one for private company shares that don't — a powerful planning strategy
- TFSA successor holder designation: In most provinces, your spouse/partner can be named successor holder, bypassing the estate entirely
Planning Tip: In Ontario, a multiple-will strategy can save significant probate fees for business owners. Private company shares are often exempt from probate if held under a separate "secondary will." Consult an estate lawyer if you own a private corporation.
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Disclaimer: Not legal advice — consult an estate lawyer or notary. Probate fee schedules are subject to change; verify current rates with your provincial government or an estate lawyer.