California Probate: How Much Does It Cost?

If you or a loved one dies without a trust, the estate may be subjected to probate. Probate is the court process for distributing the assets of a deceased person. This includes paying debts owned by the deceased and settling the financial affairs of people after they die. For 2020, California Probate Code §10810 requires an estate to be probated if the value of an individual’s assets are valued at more than $166,250.

The following probate calculator will provide a general picture of how much it will cost for a California probate proceeding. These are the minimum fees that will be charged to an estate subject to probate. Attorneys and estate administrators are allowed to change extraordinary fees over the basic statutory fee for tasks that include “extraordinary” time and effort such as complicated real estate sales, hoarder and hazardous waste cleanup, and challenging family conflicts.

Using the estimated gross value of the estate, not including debts, calculate the statutory fees for a California Probate for estates over $166,250 but less than $10,000,000. Be sure to include investment and bank accounts, real estate, and personal property.

Property Subject to Probate Administration*

Enter total value of estate

Total Fees

Attorney’s Fee

Executor’s Commission

Total:

EXPLANATION OF CALCULATION

4 percent of first $100,000

4% Statutory Probate Fee

3 percent of next $100,000

3% Statutory Probate Fee

2 percent of next $800,000

2% Statutory Probate Fee

1 percent of next $9,000,000

1% Statutory Probate Fee

.5% of the next $15,000,000

.5% Statutory Probate Fee

*This probate fee calculator is for informational purposes only and should may not be considered nor relied on in place of legal advice as it is only a general estimate based on California Probate Code Section 10810’s general provisions and is not fact-specific.