Home

Probate Cost Calculator

Apparently, dying comes with admin fees.

Pick a state and add what you know. We’ll calculate the fees we can and leave the guesswork out. Free, no signup.

Start with the estate.

Use the state where probate is being administered. The rules change at the border. Naturally.
The value of assets the probate court will handle, not automatically everything the person owned. Some fees use a different base; we’ll ask for that below. Enter up to $1 billion.
Other probate costsThe court, the newspaper, the small stuff that adds up.Not priced yet
Other administration costs

Use quotes or amounts you already know. Leave a blank for anything you haven’t priced. Enter 0 only when you mean zero.

What the court charges to open and handle the case. Ask the local court for its filing fees.
Some courts require a newspaper notice. Yes, newspapers are still involved. Enter the publisher's quote.
Paying someone to work out what the property is worth. Use an appraiser's quote if one is needed.
Bond premiums, postage, copies and other estate admin. Add your own budget for anything not listed above.
Start over

What goes into a probate bill?

The executor handles the estate. An attorney may help with the legal work. Then there are court fees, notices, appraisals and the assorted admin costs nobody puts on a greeting card.

This probate calculator keeps those costs separate. Some states set compensation schedules or limits. Elsewhere, you’ll need a quote or your own budget. Open your state’s fee rules for the sources and exceptions behind the math.

A will does not avoid probate.

Annoying, but true. A will records your wishes and nominates the person who handles the estate. The Crypt helps organize the information they’ll need. Neither is a probate service.

Make your will Explore the Crypt Take the preparedness quiz

A few things before you blame the calculator.

Why is my estimate partial?

Because guessing would make the number look more useful than it is. Blank means we do not know the cost yet. Enter 0 only when you mean zero. The subtotal leaves out unpriced items, taxes, debts, disputes and extraordinary services. Add any extra administration budget yourself.

Do I use gross value, equity or net worth?

Depends on the state and the fee. California counts the house before subtracting the mortgage. Nevada deducts liens for executor commissions. Other states look at money coming in and going out. Use the explanation beside each field; net worth is not a universal fee base.

Can the executor waive compensation?

They may choose to work for free. Generous of them. The checkbox puts their fee at zero in this budget; it does not complete a legal waiver. Will terms and state requirements still matter, and the attorney and court do not disappear from the bill.

What about multiple executors or extraordinary services?

This assumes one person handles the estate and a separate attorney handles the legal work. Add co-executors, someone taking over partway through, a lawyer doing both jobs, unusual will terms or extra work, and the bill can change. Get a quote for that situation.

Which assets pass outside probate?

Some assets have their own exit plan. A named beneficiary, payable-on-death or transfer-on-death arrangement, qualifying joint ownership, or a properly funded trust may let an asset pass outside probate. Some states still count certain non-probate assets when calculating fees. Check the explanation for each amount before leaving anything out.

Does a will avoid probate or determine whether I need it?

A will does not avoid probate. It records your wishes and nominates an executor. This calculator does not decide whether probate is required either. Small-estate procedures depend on the state, types of assets, date of death and other rules. A dollar amount alone cannot settle that one.

Killswitch is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This is a planning estimate, not a quote or a final court determination. Taxes, debts, disputes and extraordinary services are excluded. Confirm the bases, applicable law and fees with the court or a qualified attorney.