Probate Fees in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan probate fees combine a flat Local Registrar fee and a percentage-based court levy. The structure is moderate compared to other Canadian provinces — significantly less than Ontario, more than Manitoba (which abolished probate fees in 2020).
Saskatchewan probate fee structure
For standard estates (with or without a Will):
- Local Registrar fee: $200
- Court levy: $7.00 per $1,000 (or portion thereof) of the Total Part 1 Assets[4]
The court levy is the variable component. Total Part 1 Assets are the estate assets subject to probate (typically not including assets passing outside the Will like joint tenancies, designated-beneficiary accounts, life insurance with named beneficiary).
Example calculations
| Estate value | Court levy | Local Registrar | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $700 | $200 | $900 |
| $250,000 | $1,750 | $200 | $1,950 |
| $500,000 | $3,500 | $200 | $3,700 |
| $1,000,000 | $7,000 | $200 | $7,200 |
| $2,000,000 | $14,000 | $200 | $14,200 |
Per Saskatchewan's Administration of Estates Regulations 2020.
Small estate simplified procedures
Estates of $25,000 or less (no Saskatchewan real property)
For estates valued at $25,000 or less that don't include Saskatchewan real property, a simplified court order procedure is available — no full probate or letters of administration needed.
- Local Registrar fee: $100
- Faster process
- Lower cost overall
Estates of $15,000 or less where registrar prepares papers
For very small estates where the local registrar prepares the necessary papers:
- Local Registrar fee: $300
- Plus court levy of $7.00 per $1,000
The $300 fee reflects the additional service of registrar preparation.
What counts as Part 1 Assets
Total Part 1 Assets are the assets that flow through the estate and require probate. Generally:
Includes:
- Solely-owned bank and investment accounts (no joint or designated beneficiary)
- Real estate solely owned in deceased's name
- Personal property
- Solely-owned vehicles
Generally excludes:
- Joint accounts with right of survivorship (passes to surviving joint holder)
- RRSP/RRIF/TFSA with valid designated beneficiary (passes directly)
- Life insurance with designated beneficiary (passes directly)
- Real estate held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship
This means the court levy is calculated on probate assets, not the full estate value.
What's included in probate fees vs additional costs
Probate fees only cover:
- Court fees for granting probate
- Local Registrar administrative fee
Additional costs to expect:
- Lawyer fees (varies; for simple estates often $1,500-5,000)
- Executor compensation (typically 1-5% of estate value plus reasonable ongoing fee)
- Appraisal fees (for real estate, business interests, valuable personal property)
- Accounting fees (for final tax return and clearance certificate)
- Advertising for creditors (specific provincial requirement)
- Specific other costs
How to calculate before applying
- Identify Total Part 1 Assets (probate assets only)
- Divide by $1,000 (round up any partial)
- Multiply by $7.00
- Add $200 Local Registrar fee
- = Total Saskatchewan probate fees
Saskatchewan Probate Court can confirm calculation; specific to circumstances.
Probate-avoidance strategies
For Saskatchewan estates with substantial Part 1 Assets, common probate-avoidance approaches:
- Joint ownership with right of survivorship — passes outside probate (but has specific tax and legal implications; see joint ownership right of survivorship)
- Designated beneficiaries on RRSP, TFSA, life insurance — passes outside probate (and outside the Will)
- Specific trust structures — for substantial estates
- Multiple wills — Saskatchewan does not have the same multiple-wills strategy as Ontario; specific provincial law differs
Specific to circumstances; lawyer consultation appropriate for substantial estates.
How Saskatchewan compares to other provinces
| Province | Probate fees on $500K estate (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Manitoba | $0 (abolished 2020) |
| Alberta | $525 (capped) |
| Saskatchewan | $3,700 |
| BC | ~$6,650 ($200 base fee + tiered 0.6%/1.4% over $25K) |
| Atlantic provinces | Varies |
| Ontario | ~$6,750 (1.5% over $50K, no cap) |
Saskatchewan sits in the middle range. Less burdensome than BC and Ontario; more than Alberta and Manitoba.
Timing
Probate fees are paid at the time of probate application. Saskatchewan probate typically processes in 4-12 weeks depending on registry and complexity.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The Will Creator produces Saskatchewan Wills. Probate fee planning isn't a built-in calculator but understanding the structure helps with overall estate planning.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Government of Saskatchewan — Administering the Estate of Someone Who's Died — Government of Saskatchewan
- [2]Saskatchewan Small Estates (≤ $25,000) — Government of Saskatchewan
- [3]The Administration of Estates Regulations, 2020, RRS c A-4.1 Reg 2 — Government of Saskatchewan / CanLII
- [4]Probating an Estate — Court of King's Bench for Saskatchewan — Saskatchewan Law Courts
Frequently asked questions
What's the basic Saskatchewan probate fee?
$200 Local Registrar fee plus a court levy of $7.00 per $1,000 (or portion thereof) of the Total Part 1 Assets. The court levy is the main cost — works out to 0.7% of estate value.
How much for a $500,000 estate?
Court levy approximately $3,500 (500 × $7) plus $200 Local Registrar fee = approximately $3,700 in probate fees. Specific to circumstances; consult Saskatchewan Probate Court for exact calculation.
What about small estates?
For estates of $25,000 or less (excluding Saskatchewan real property), a simplified procedure allows a court order without full probate or letters of administration — Local Registrar fee $100. For estates up to $15,000 where the registrar prepares papers, $300 fee plus the $7/$1,000 court levy.
How does this compare to other provinces?
Lower than Ontario (1.5% over $50,000, no cap) but higher than Manitoba (abolished 2020). Comparable to BC (also percentage-based, roughly 1.4% over $50,000 plus a $200 base fee, no cap). Significantly higher than Alberta's small flat fees (capped at $525).
Are there other costs beyond probate fees?
Yes — lawyer fees if applicable; executor compensation; appraisal fees; advertising for creditors; specific to circumstances. Probate fees are one component of total estate administration cost.
When are probate fees paid?
At time of probate application. Estate pays. If estate has insufficient liquid assets at time of application, specific arrangements may be needed; consult Saskatchewan estate lawyer.