Probate in California, handled for you
California is the most expensive state in the country to probate with an attorney, because lawyers here don't bill hourly for ordinary probate — they earn a fee set by statute as a percentage of the entire estate. The good news: California lets an executor handle an uncontested probate without hiring an attorney, and most of the year-long workload is administrative. That administrative work is exactly what Kindred does, for one flat fee.
California lets you handle an uncontested probate without a lawyer. California allows an executor to handle an uncontested probate without a lawyer — much of the work is administrative paperwork and deadlines. Whether to involve an attorney is your decision; if anything looks contested or complex, we flag it so you can bring in an attorney of your choosing.
The four things families ask first
Statutory % of the estate
Read moreA typical California probate runs about 9 to 18 months from filing to final distribution — driven by the mandatory creditor-claim window and the court's calendar, not by how fast you work.
Read more$184,500 — rising to $239,700 for deaths on or after April 1, 2026 (inflation-adjusted)
Read moreSuperior Court (Probate Division), in the county where the person lived
Weighing your options? Lawyer vs. DIY vs. done-for-you in California.
What it could cost in California
Set by Probate Code §10810. You pay this with or without Kindred — we don't reduce it, and an attorney handles the legal work.
Where California families save
Not on the statutory fee — but where formal probate can be avoided entirely(small estate, a living trust, or a Heggstad petition). That's the conversation to have.
Either way, we take ~150 hours of administration off your plate.
Based on the California statutory schedule (Probate Code §10810). Illustrative example only — not a quote or legal advice. Figures vary by estate; we're not a law firm.
Worth knowing in California
Avoiding probate
California's biggest savings rarely come from a cheaper probate — they come from avoiding formal probate entirely (a living trust, a small-estate affidavit, or a Heggstad petition for assets that belonged in a trust). That's the first conversation to have.
Frequently asked
Do I need a lawyer for probate in California?
No — California law lets an executor handle an uncontested probate without hiring an attorney, and much of the work is administrative. Kindred handles that administration for a flat fee. If anything looks contested or complex, we flag it so you can bring in an attorney of your choosing. Kindred is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does probate cost in California?
The ordinary attorney's fee is set by statute (Prob. Code §10810) as a percentage of the gross estate — about $13,000 on a $500,000 estate and $23,000 on a $1,000,000 estate — plus roughly $435 court filing fees and a probate referee's fee. The executor is owed the same statutory amount, though family executors often waive it. These are illustrative figures; actual costs vary by estate.
How long does probate take in California?
Typically 9 to 18 months. The will must be lodged within 30 days of death, creditors get about four months to file claims after Letters issue, and court hearings are often scheduled 6 to 10 weeks out. Busy counties take longer.
Can I avoid probate in California?
Sometimes — through a small-estate affidavit (if the estate is under $184,500, rising to $239,700 for deaths on or after April 1, 2026), a living trust, or assets that pass by beneficiary designation or joint title. We'll tell you which path fits and handle the paperwork either way.
Last verified June 2026. Figures are illustrative and vary by estate — not a quote or legal advice. Kindred is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice; we handle the administrative work and coordinate an independent attorney where one is legally required.
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.
Start with fixed-fee Estate Setup, then choose the right package.
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