California Probate Procedures

California Probate Cost Estimator

Updated for 2026 — accounts for California's three probate tiers including the new AB 2016 streamlined procedure for primary residences (effective April 1, 2025). Statutory fees are calculated on gross estate value, not net equity.

1Enter Your Estimate

Use market value — not what you owe. Enter $0 if there is no real estate in the estate.

Shown for context only. California statutory fees are calculated on the gross value — not net equity after the mortgage.

Only include if no beneficiary is named. Accounts with named beneficiaries bypass probate entirely.

Only include accounts without a POD (payable-on-death) designation. POD accounts pass directly to beneficiaries outside probate.

California's three-tier system (2026):

  • Personal property only, under $208,850Small Estate Affidavit, no court
  • Primary residence, $750,000 or lessStreamlined petition (AB 2016)
  • Anything elseFull probate with mandatory statutory fees

2Your Estimate

Enter the estate details on the left to get started.

Avoid Every Dollar of These Costs

A properly funded living trust passes your assets directly to your loved ones — no court, no statutory fees, no public record, and no timeline dictated by a judge. Most California families can protect everything they own for a fraction of what one probate proceeding costs.

Estate planning for California families who worked too hard to leave anything to chance. Serving clients statewide.

Practice Areas

© 2026 Smart Estates Law, APC. All rights reserved.

|

Estate planning for California families who worked too hard to leave anything to chance. Serving clients statewide.

This website is attorney advertising. The information contained on this site does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Responsible attorney: Michelle Bosio, California State Bar No. 358244. Smart Estates Law, APC is licensed to practice law in the State of California. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.