Free planning tool

What might probate cost?

The value of assets passing through probate, starting from the inventory and appraisal value. The final statutory fee base can change during administration with gains, receipts, and losses (Probate Code 10810(b)). Trust assets, joint tenancy, and beneficiary-designated accounts are not included. Enter the estate value, not the home price or equity.

Estimated statutory fees

Probate Code 10800 + 10810

$0

  • Attorney (Probate Code 10810): $0
  • Personal representative (Probate Code 10800): $0

Estimated overall probate costs

One planning range

$0

Enter the estate value above to see a planning range.

  • Court filing fees: $870 (about $435 + $435, some counties add small surcharges)
  • Probate referee: $0
  • Notice-to-creditors publication: $200 to $700

Referee estimate: 0.1% of the estate value you entered, used as a proxy for appraised non-cash assets, clamped to the $75 minimum and $10,000 ordinary maximum while the court may authorize more under Probate Code 8963(b).

Included as estimates: statutory fees, court filing fees, the probate referee, and notice-to-creditors publication. Not assumed: the surety bond is not assumed (marked "not assumed", never shown as $0); a modeled sales commission is not included unless you enable it; mortgage, tax, insurance, utility, maintenance, cleanout, tax-preparation, extraordinary-service, litigation, and other sale costs are excluded.

Optional add-ons

What else might affect my costs?

Each item below is off and unassumed by default. Enable one only if it fits your situation; nothing here is silently counted.

Surety bond

Only if a bond is required and not waived: roughly 0.5% to 1% of the bond amount per year. The bond amount is set under Probate Code 8482. This calculator never assumes a bond: nothing is added to the estimates above on its own, and it is never shown here as $0.

Modeled sales commission

Illustrative assumption, not a statutory probate fee; in a court-confirmed sale any commission is set by the court. No percentage is suggested here, and nothing is assumed until you enable this model.

Refine the referee estimate

By default the overall estimate uses 0.1% of the estate value you entered as a transparent proxy for the probate referee's fee. Enter the appraised value of the estate's non-cash assets, such as real estate and tangible items, and the estimate uses 0.1% of that figure instead. Either way the figure is clamped to the $75 minimum and the $10,000 ordinary maximum, and the court may authorize more under Probate Code 8963(b).

How the statutory fee is calculated

California applies the identical graduated ladder to the gross value of the probate estate twice: once for the attorney (Probate Code 10810) and once for the personal representative (Probate Code 10800). They are separate fees, and the combined figure is the sum of both.

  • 4% on the first $100,000
  • 3% on the next $100,000
  • 2% on the next $800,000
  • 1% on the next $9,000,000
  • 0.5% on the next $15,000,000
  • Above $25,000,000 reasonable amount as determined by the court

$500,000 estate

$13,000 attorney + $13,000 personal representative = $26,000 in statutory fees.

$1,000,000 estate

$23,000 + $23,000 = $46,000 total statutory fees (about 4.6% combined).

Assumptions and exclusions

The estimate combines the statutory fees with the common administration expenses, all labeled as estimates. These are real costs of holding or selling a probate property that this estimate deliberately leaves out:

  • Mortgage payments
  • Property taxes
  • Insurance
  • Utilities
  • Maintenance and cleanout
  • Tax preparation
  • Extraordinary attorney services
  • Litigation
  • Sale costs beyond the optional modeled commission

Nothing on this page is silently assumed to be zero. Items that are not part of the estimate are marked "not assumed" or appear only when you enable them, and the surety bond is never shown as $0.

Sources

County fee schedules can differ; check the local superior court for current amounts.

This page is general educational information about California probate costs. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Confirm your situation with the court or a qualified professional.

Important: This calculator provides estimates of California statutory probate fees and certain other common expenses. Actual costs vary depending on the estate, property, court requirements, and circumstances. Additional fees and expenses may apply. This estimate is for planning purposes only.

Want a clearer picture for your specific estate?

Optional and never required. The calculator above stays free and open whether or not you send this. A few details about the property's value, condition, and what you may do with it help make the next conversation useful.

Optional, never required. Your information is never sold or added to any list.