Probate
Why Do I Need to Probate?
When someone dies, the executor or personal representative needs to be appointed by the probate court with the power to administer the estate, such as accessing bank accounts and deposit boxes, transferring ownership of real estate, and distributing property. This power is known as Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. If the decedent left a Will, it must be filed with the probate court. Additionally, notice must be provided to creditors & debtors. If there are any minors, a guardian may need to be appointed.
Probate Pricing & Services
Probate Consultation
FREE
Includes:
- Consultation of up to 20 minutes to discuss your general probate needs
- Learn about what probate services might be right for you
Probate Review
$600
Includes:
- Up to two hours of review and consultation with a lawyer regarding the decedent’s Will and probate documents (generally, one hour of review and one hour of consultation)
Year’s Support (uncontested)
$2,750 plus expenses
Includes:
- Court petition by a lawyer for Year’s Support through final order (uncontested)
Simple Probate (uncontested)
$2,000 plus expenses
Includes:
- Uncontested probate through the appointment phase (including notice to debtors and creditors) by a lawyer
- “Simple” means the decedent left a valid Will, all of the decedent’s assets are known, and all heirs and beneficiaries are cooperative
Intermediate Probate (uncontested)
$2,500 plus expenses
Includes:
- Uncontested probate through the appointment phase (including notice to debtors and creditors) by a lawyer
- “Intermediate” means the decedent did not leave a Will but all of the decedent’s assets are known and all heirs are cooperative
Advanced Probate (uncontested)
$3,250 plus expenses
Includes:
- Uncontested probate through the appointment phase (including notice to debtors and creditors) by a lawyer
- “Advanced” means there are issues with the Will, the decedent’s assets are unclear, or at least one heir or beneficiary is uncooperative or cannot be found
Court Appointment of Successor Trustee (uncontested)
$3,000 plus expenses
Includes:
- Court petition by a lawyer for appointment of successor trustee through final order (uncontested)
Miscellaneous
$600 each
- Court petition for authority to open a safety deposit box
- Affidavit for the appointment of a successor trustee
- Affidavit for disbursement of a decedent’s deposit (the decedent’s bank account has a balance of no more than $15,000 and the decedent did not leave a Will)
- Affidavit of inheritance of a motor vehicle (the decedent died without a Will and without debt)
- Executor’s deed
Other Probate Services
Call for Pricing
- Appointment or transfer of Guardianship
- Appointment or transfer of Conservatorship
- Petition for Order Declaring No Administration Necessary (only practical if the decedent had no debt)
- And more…
The flat fee pricing on this page does not include tax advice or preparation, probate for foreign assets, or business succession. Pricing for clients with complicated probate needs will be determined on a case-by-case basis.