Tool
Probate cost calculator
Pick your state, enter the estate value, get an itemized cost range in seconds.
This calculator estimates total US probate cost from the state's statutory or customary executor and attorney fee schedule, plus the court filing fee, publication, bond, and appraisal. Use it before hiring counsel so you know what to expect.
Uses California's statutory schedule.
| Court filing fee | $435 |
|---|---|
| Publication | $200 - $600 |
| Bond premium | $500 - $4,000 |
| Appraisal | $500 - $1,500 |
| Executor fee | $13,000 |
| Attorney fee | $13,000 - $13,000 |
| Estimated total | $27,635 - $32,535 |
Estimate. Actual fees vary by county, complexity, and the will. Not legal advice.
Related: Probate cost by state · Threshold table · Timeline table
Common questions
How accurate is this calculator?
For the 20 largest states, executor and attorney fees follow the actual statutory schedule or the customary schedule practitioners follow (Johnson Estate in Pennsylvania, for example). For smaller states, the calculator uses 3% as a reasonable-fee baseline. Both are directional estimates — final fees depend on the county and the will.
What does the estate value include?
Use the fair market value of assets that go through probate: real estate in the deceased's sole name, bank and brokerage accounts without a beneficiary, business interests, and titled personal property. Skip joint accounts, POD/TOD assets, life insurance with a named beneficiary, and trust assets — those bypass probate entirely.
Does the calculator include estate tax?
No. Federal estate tax only applies to estates over $13.99 million in 2026. State estate or inheritance tax applies in a handful of states (Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, and others). Both are separate from probate cost.
What if my estate is under the small estate threshold?
You likely don't need probate at all. Use the small estate affidavit for your state. Total cost is usually under $500. The calculator is for full probate.