California has some of the highest probate costs in the country. Use this calculator to understand the potential exposure for your estate — and how a living trust can help avoid probate.
| Estate Value | Fee Rate | Attorney Fee | Executor Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial statutory tier | 4% | Statutory fee | Statutory fee |
| Next statutory tier | 3% | Statutory fee | Statutory fee |
| Next statutory tier | 2% | Statutory fee | Statutory fee |
| Higher-value tier | 1% | Statutory fee | Statutory fee |
Important: Under California Probate Code §10810, both the attorney and the executor are entitled to the same statutory fee schedule. Fees are calculated on the gross value of the estate (not net of mortgages), so a higher-value home with a mortgage remains subject to the statutory calculation. 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.