Probate Fee Calculator (Canada)
Estimate probate fees (Estate Administration Tax) for any Canadian province or territory. Select your province, enter your estate value, and see how much probate will cost — from $0 in Manitoba to 1.7% in Nova Scotia. Updated for 2026 rates.
Probate fees vary by province. Select the province where the estate will be probated (usually where the deceased lived).
The total value of assets that will go through probate. Assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance, RRSPs, TFSAs) and jointly-held assets typically bypass probate.
🏛 Probate Fee Results
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Effective Rate
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Taxable Estate
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📊 Fee Calculation Breakdown
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💡 What this means
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📚 Estate Planning Resources
📚 See top-rated Canadian estate planning & wills guides on Amazon →📝 How to use this probate fee calculator
- Select your province or territory. Probate fees are set by each province and vary significantly — from $0 in Manitoba and Quebec (notarial wills) to 1.7% in Nova Scotia. Choose the province where the deceased lived, as that's typically where probate is granted.
- Enter the estate value. This is the total value of assets that will go through probate — assets held solely in the deceased's name without a named beneficiary. Assets like life insurance, RRSPs, and TFSAs with named beneficiaries bypass probate and should be excluded.
- Click Calculate to see the probate fee, effective rate, and a detailed breakdown of how the fee is computed for your province.
- Review the breakdown to understand which rate tiers apply and how the fee is structured in your province.
📌 5 tips to reduce probate fees in Canada
- ✓ Name beneficiaries on registered accounts. Life insurance, RRSPs, RRIFs, and TFSAs with named beneficiaries pass outside the estate and bypass probate entirely. This is the simplest and most effective way to reduce probate fees.
- ✓ Hold property as joint tenants. Assets held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship pass to the surviving owner outside probate. Be aware this transfers legal ownership to the joint tenant while you're alive.
- ✓ Use a notarial will in Quebec. If you live in Quebec, a notarial will does not require probate — saving the $65 court verification fee and the hassle. Notarial wills are automatically enforceable.
- ✓ Consider a living trust (inter vivos trust). Assets transferred to a trust during your lifetime are owned by the trust, not your estate, so they bypass probate. This is more expensive to set up but can save significant probate fees on large estates in Ontario and BC.
- ✓ Gift assets while alive. Assets you give away during your lifetime are no longer part of your estate and don't attract probate fees. Canada has no gift tax, so you can transfer assets to family members tax-free (though capital gains may apply on appreciated assets).
📊 Probate Fee Rates by Province (2026)
| Province | Rate Structure | Fee on $500K | Fee on $1M |
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| Ontario | $5/$1K first $50K, $15/$1K above | $7,000 | $14,750 |
| British Columbia | $14/$1K above $50K (1.4%) | $6,300 | $13,300 |
| Alberta | Flat fee, max $525 | $525 | $525 |
| Saskatchewan | $7/$1K (0.7%) | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| Manitoba | No probate fees | $0 | $0 |
| Quebec | $65 flat (notarial wills: $0) | $65 | $65 |
| Nova Scotia | Tiered, up to $15.93/$1K | $7,715 | $15,660 |
| New Brunswick | $5/$1K (0.5%) | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Newfoundland & Lab. | $60 + $6/$1K above $1K | $3,054 | $6,054 |
| Prince Edward Is. | $50 + $5/$1K to $100K, $4/$1K above | $1,950 | $3,950 |
| NWT | $75 + $2/$1K | $1,075 | $2,075 |
| Nunavut | $75 + $2/$1K | $1,075 | $2,075 |
| Yukon | $70 + $2/$1K | $1,070 | $2,070 |
Rates current as of 2026. Some provinces may charge additional filing fees. Always verify with your provincial court.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides probate fee estimates for educational purposes only. Provincial fee structures may change. Additional court filing fees may apply. This tool does not account for assets that bypass probate (life insurance, registered accounts with beneficiaries, joint assets), trust structures, or complex estate arrangements. Consult an estate planning lawyer or notary for advice specific to your situation and province.
Related Tools
Probate fees are one part of estate planning and wealth transfer in Canada. These six calculators cover the rest — from estate tax to capital gains and land transfer tax.
- Estate Tax Calculator — calculate federal estate tax liability for US estates with the $15M exemption and 18%–40% rates.
- Gift Tax Calculator — calculate gift tax liability with the annual exclusion and lifetime exemption for US gifts.
- Capital Gains Tax Calculator — calculate capital gains tax on the sale of investments or real estate, relevant to deemed disposition at death.
- Income Tax Calculator — estimate Canadian income tax liability with provincial and federal brackets.
- Land Transfer Tax Calculator — calculate land transfer tax on property purchases, relevant to estate real-estate transfers.
- Retirement Savings Calculator — calculate how much to save each month for retirement, complementing estate planning.