Probate Cost Calculator
Disclaimer: This is a simplified percentage-of-estate estimate. Actual probate costs vary by state and estate complexity. Not legal advice.
A Single Rate Standing In for a Patchwork of State Rules
Probate costs — attorney fees, executor fees, court costs — are handled very differently from state to state. Some states set statutory tiered percentage fee schedules where a higher percentage applies to the first tier of estate value and progressively lower percentages apply to higher tiers; others leave fees to a "reasonable" standard determined case by case. This calculator simplifies that patchwork into a single adjustable percentage rate applied to the full estate value, which is a rough approximation useful for early planning rather than a substitute for a specific state's actual fee schedule.
The Formula
The rate defaults to 4%, an illustrative middle-of-the-road figure, but is fully adjustable — enter a different rate if you have a more specific figure from your state's statutory schedule or an attorney's quote.
| Estate value | 2% rate | 4% rate | 6% rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 |
| $600,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 |
Where This Matters
- Estate planning conversations — a rough probate cost estimate factors into decisions about whether to use tools (trusts, joint ownership, beneficiary designations) that can help an estate avoid probate.
- Comparing states before relocating — since probate cost structures differ significantly by state, a rough percentage comparison highlights the scale of the difference before a move.
- Setting expectations for heirs — a preliminary estimate helps executors and beneficiaries understand roughly how much of an estate's value might go toward administration costs before a formal accounting.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the estate value.
- Enter the probate fee rate as a percentage (defaults to 4%, adjustable).
- Select Calculate for the estimated probate cost.
Related Calculations
Handling a related legal matter? See the Legal Fee Calculator for attorney billing, or the Legal Interest Calculator for post-judgment interest.