California has some of the highest probate costs in the country. Use this calculator to see the exact fees your estate would trigger — and how a living trust eliminates them entirely.
| Estate Value | Fee Rate | Attorney Fee | Executor Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| First $100,000 | 4% | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Next $100,000 | 3% | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Next $800,000 | 2% | Up to $16,000 | Up to $16,000 |
| Next $9,000,000 | 1% | Up to $90,000 | Up to $90,000 |
Important: Under California Probate Code §10810, both the attorney and the executor are entitled to the same statutory fee schedule — meaning these fees are essentially doubled. Fees are calculated on the gross value of the estate (not net of mortgages), so a home worth $700K with a $400K mortgage still incurs fees based on $700K. Court costs, appraiser fees, and bond costs are additional.
Download our California Living Trust Funding Checklist — asset-by-asset instructions with California-specific requirements for real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and more.