California Probate Fee Calculator
Through a variety of Estate Planning services, we help clients plan effectively to provide for loved ones, avoid future conflicts, address long-term care issues, and ensure that the clients’ wishes will be respected. You can count on Ellerman Strand to provide expert guidance in the following practice areas.
Probate is the court-supervised legal process of administering a person’s estate after death. It generally involves identifying and valuing the deceased person’s assets, paying debts and expenses, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries or heirs. If you own bank accounts or land in California, they may be subject to a probate on your death, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Probate Fees
California law establishes statutory fees for probate that are generally based on the gross value of the probate estate. These fees apply to both the attorney representing the estate and the personal representative (executor or administrator), and they increase as the value of the estate increases. Additional court costs and other expenses may also apply.
Use our California Probate Fee Calculator to get an estimate of the statutory attorney and executor fees that may apply to an estate.
If you are concerned about the cost, time, or complexity of a probate, there may be options for avoiding it altogether. A properly designed revocable living trust allows certain assets to pass to beneficiaries without triggering a probate. If you would like to learn whether a trust-based estate plan may be appropriate for you and your family, contact our office. We can help you understand your options and develop an estate plan designed to accomplish your goals.