Probate cost · Texas
Probate cost in Texas
What every fee is, who sets it, and what a typical estate actually pays end to end.
Probate in Texas costs about $23,260 to $36,300 for a $500,000 estate. The Statutory Probate Court charges $400 to open the case. Executor and attorney fees are the largest line items, set under Estates Code § 205. Publication, bond, and appraisal add $360-$3,400.
Fee breakdown
Every probate cost in Texas, itemized. Amounts vary by county and by estate complexity.
| Court filing fee | $400 | County or statutory probate court filing fee. Add ~$8 per citation served. |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice | $60 - $200 | Newspaper notice to creditors, required in most counties. |
| Executor bond | Up to $2,000 | Often waived by the will. When required, premium is ~0.5% of the estate value. |
| Appraisal | $300 - $1,200 | For real estate, business interests, or unique personal property. |
| Executor fee | $12,500 on $500k | Estates Code §352.002: 5% of receipts and 5% of disbursements. On a typical estate that lands near 2.5% of value. |
| Attorney fee | $10,000 - $20,000 on $500k | Independent administration typically runs $2,500 to $6,000 flat or 2-4% for larger estates. |
Total by estate size
Estimated total probate cost in Texas across three common estate sizes. Uses statutory fees where Texas has them, market ranges where it doesn't.
| $200,000 estate | $9,760 - $16,800 |
|---|---|
| $500,000 estate | $23,260 - $36,300 |
| $1,000,000 estate | $45,760 - $68,800 |
Ranges assume an uncontested estate with one parcel of real property. Contested estates, out-of-state assets, and businesses add cost.
How to reduce probate cost in Texas
- If the estate is under $75,000, use a small estate affidavit instead of full probate.
- Convert accounts to payable-on-death and beneficiary designations before death. Those assets bypass probate entirely.
- Use a revocable living trust for real estate to avoid the Statutory Probate Court probate process.
- Ask the will to waive bond. That saves the $0-$2,000 premium.
- For clean, uncontested estates, use a cost calculator first so you know what to expect before hiring counsel.
Common questions
How much does probate cost in Texas?
Total probate cost in Texas for a $500,000 estate typically runs $23,260 to $36,300. A $200,000 estate costs about $9,760-$16,800, a $1M estate $45,760-$68,800. Court filing alone is $400.
Who pays probate fees in Texas?
The estate pays every probate cost from estate assets before heirs receive anything. Executor and attorney fees, the Statutory Probate Court filing fee, publication, and bond premiums all come out of the estate under Estates Code § 205.
Can I reduce probate cost?
Yes. Using the small estate affidavit skips full probate when the estate is under the state threshold ($75,000 in Texas). Beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and living trusts also keep assets out of probate entirely.
What is the executor fee in Texas?
Estates Code §352.002: 5% of receipts and 5% of disbursements. On a typical estate that lands near 2.5% of value.
How long does it take to pay these fees?
Filing and publication are paid at filing. Executor and attorney fees are approved by the Statutory Probate Court at the end, typically 10 months after opening the estate.
Where in Texas
In Texas, probate fees are paid at the Statutory Probate Court in the county where your relative lived at death. These three counties handle the largest caseload.
- County seat
Harris County
Statutory Probate Court - courthouse in Houston
- County seat
Dallas County
Statutory Probate Court - courthouse in Dallas
- County seat
Tarrant County
Statutory Probate Court - courthouse in Fort Worth
Every Texas county has its own Statutory Probate Court clerk. Filing fees and processing time vary by county.
Other tasks in Texas
Related: Probate in Texas · Cost calculator · Probate timeline