The three ways to settle an estate — and what each really costs
Most people think the choice is hire a lawyer or do it all yourself. There's a third way: keep the control and the savings of doing it yourself, without the 500 hours and the risk.
Hire a probate attorney
Hands-off — but you pay full lawyer rates.
- A licensed attorney handles the legal filings
- Expensive — in California, statutory fees run $13k–$23k+; elsewhere $250–$400/hour
- Most of the bill is administration a lawyer doesn't need to do
- You're still the one chasing documents and signatures
Do it all yourself
Free — but it's 500+ hours, alone.
- No professional fees
- 500+ hours over a year — while you're grieving
- No map and no support; easy to miss a deadline or a step
- A mistake can cost far more than the money you saved
Kindred Estate
Done for you, for one flat fee.
- A real specialist does the administration — start to finish
- One flat fee, paid from the estate — not lawyer hourly rates
- You stay the executor and fully in control
- We coordinate an attorney only if a matter truly needs one
See your numbers
Pick your state, estate value, and scope — we'll show the lawyer cost next to our flat fee, and what you'd keep.
Pick a state to see your estimate.
The math is different where you are
Probate cost and procedure vary by state — California is the most expensive, others are far simpler. Start with yours.
Kindred Estate is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Figures are illustrative and vary by estate; we handle administration and coordinate an attorney when a matter requires one.
You don't have to carry this alone.
Tell us about the estate on a free, no-obligation call. We'll map out exactly what needs to happen — and how we'd take it off your plate.
The estate pays our fee — not you out of pocket.
Tell us about your situation
Has the person passed away?
Your relationship to them
When did the loss occur?
Your best guess is fine if you don't know the exact date.