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Probate in California

If you or a loved one dies without a trust, your estate may go through probate. Probate is the legal process of distributing your assets after death. Your assets will be used to pay your debts and settle your financial affairs.

In California, an estate must go through probate if the total value of the assets is more than $166,250. The following probate calculator can help you estimate the cost of probate in California.

These statutory fees are the maximum the attorney and admiistrator can request. Unless the Attorneys and estate administrators request additional fees for extraordinary services, such as complicated real estate sales, hazardous waste cleanup, and challenging family conflicts.

To use the calculator, enter the estimated gross value of your estate, not including debts. The calculator will then estimate the statutory fees for a California probate for estates over $184 500 but less than $10,000,000. This includes investment and bank accounts, real estate, and personal property.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about probate in California:

  • The probate process can take several months or even years.
  • You will need to appoint an executor to manage your estate through probate.
  • You will need to file a probate petition with the court.
  • You will need to publish a notice of probate in a local newspaper.
  • You will need to pay court fees and other expenses.

If you are concerned about the cost of probate, you may want to consider creating a trust. A trust can help you avoid probate and save your heirs money.

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Probate Fee Calculator

*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.

Our thoughtful attorneys aim to assist you with your estate planning needs. Whether creating a customized, empathetic, strategic estate plan, guiding Trustees with settling a loved one’s Trust, helping our elder clients, their children, or loved ones obtain care, or qualify for Medi-Cal and providing asset protection.

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CBM Estate and Trust Law
Carmen B. Marquez, P.C.

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Disclaimer

At CBM we never charge potential clients for the first 60-minute initial consultation whether or not we are retained. However, we will require a nonrefundable deposit if the potential client requires a second consultation before we are hired. We will apply 50% of the nonrefundable deposit toward the price of the work to be performed on behalf of the client.

CBM also do not charge for follow-up phone calls, emails, and assistance to help our private clients properly fund their trust for up to three months after they execute their Trust. This includes working with our client’s financial advisors (as long as we have our client’s consent) to ensure the trust is properly funded.

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