California Probate
What are California probate fees?
Short answer
California sets statutory attorney and executor fees by law — each is paid a percentage of the gross estate value: 4% of the first $100,000, 3% of the next $100,000, 2% of the next $800,000, 1% of the next $9 million. On…
What this usually means
California sets statutory attorney and executor fees by law — each is paid a percentage of the gross estate value: 4% of the first $100,000, 3% of the next $100,000, 2% of the next $800,000, 1% of the next $9 million. On a $500,000 estate, the attorney gets roughly $13,000 and the executor gets the same. These fees are in addition to court filing fees and other costs.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.