January 1, 2024: Many people ask us about probate fees, probate court costs in Los Angeles, and how to distinguish various types of probate expenses. This article answers questions posed to our attorneys about probate fees and the cost of probate in Los Angeles. Below, we have categorized the types of probate fees that are allowed in California and how they are paid in Los Angeles.
See the LASC probate fee schedule here: Probate Court Filing Fees and Costs for Probate in Los Angeles: Approximately $435
If you use an electronic filing vendor, you can expect approximately $45 in addition to the above in electronic or greenfiling or electronic filing charges for the vendor. Also, if you are making a video appearance, you should be aware that the video appearance fees are temporarily free via LaCourtConnect.
There are additional costs paid to other vendors when you file probate in Los Angeles: There are newspaper publication fees and costs, as well as bond fees and costs.
How are such fees determined in probate?
There are two categories of estate fees in Los Angeles California and one or both may be applicable to your case:
Both the Estate Attorneys Fees in Probate and the Executor’s fees for basic work known as Statutory Fees are a percentage of the probate estate and the rate for that fee is set in the California Probate Code.
Below is an example of Statutory probate fee rate calculation:
What are Statutory Fees in California? Statutory fees in California are the maximum allowable fees for standard or ordinary probate tasks performed by each of the executor and his/her attorney. Statutory fees are separate from extra-ordinary fees. Extra-ordinary probate fees are charged by the hour. See a list of Extra-ordinary probate fees. When clients ask us, how much are probate fees, the response depends on A) statutory fees based on the size of the estate, plus, 2) any necessary extra-ordinary tasks at the discretion of the judge. | |
| APPROXIMATE GROSS ESTATE SIZE | ORDINARY PROBATE FEE IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA |
|---|---|
| $100,000.00 | $4,000.00 |
| $200,000.00 | $7,000.00 |
| $300,000.00 | $9,000.00 |
| $400,000.00 | $11,000.00 |
| $500,000.00 | $13,000.00 |
| $600,000.00 | $15,000.00 |
| $700,000.00 | $17,000.00 |
| $800,000.00 | $19,000.00 |
| $900,000.00 | $21,000.00 |
| $1,000,000.00 | $23,000.00 |
| $2,000,000.00 | $33,000.00 |
| $3,000,000.00 | $43,000.00 |
| See below chart for larger estates. PROBATE CODE SECTION 10800-1080510800. (a) Subject to the provisions of this part, for ordinary services the personal representative shall receive compensation based on the value of the estate accounted for by the personal representative, as follows: (1) Four percent on the first one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). (2) Three percent on the next one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). (3) Two percent on the next eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000). (4) One percent on the next nine million dollars ($9,000,000). (5) One-half of one percent on the next fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000). (6) For all amounts above twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), a reasonable amount to be determined by the court. (b) For the purposes of this section, the value of the estate accounted for by the personal representative is the total amount of the appraisal value of property in the inventory, plus gains over the appraisal value on sales, plus receipts, less losses from the appraisal value on sales, without reference to encumbrances or other obligations on the estate property. |
Extra-ordinary Fees:
Extra-ordinary probate fees apply to sales of real property, special administration, any type of litigation, and extra efforts to locate the probate assets. The rates we charge for extra-ordinary probate service in Los Angeles range from $375 to $650 per hour as of Jan. 2024.
To find out our probate fees for your particular case and the cost of probate, call Sirkin Probate Attorneys for Estate and Wills to request informationn about our fees at 818.340.4479.