UNDERSTANDING SAN DIEGO PROBATE COSTS

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      So why all the talk about “Avoiding Probate”?

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      Probate is expensive.

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      1.    For starters, the San Diego Probate filing fee is currently $435.00;

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      3.    Your probate filing must be published in an approved San Diego newspaper. The cost is typically $150.00;

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      4.    Executor fees are a statutorily set percentage of the value of the estate. California Probate Code 10800 provides:
     

      § 10800. Compensation for ordinary services

     (a)  Subject to the provisions of this part, for ordinary services the personal representative shall receive compensation

      based on the value of the estate accounted for by the personal representative, as follows:

     (1)  Four percent on the first one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
     (2)  Three percent on the next one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
     (3)  Two percent on the next eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000).
     (4)  One percent on the next nine million dollars ($9,000,000).
     (5)  One-half of one percent on the next fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000).
     (6)  For all amounts above twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), a reasonable amount to be determined by the court.

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      5.    Attorney’s fees are the same percentage.

     

       So, for a typical $1,000,000.00 San Diego Probate Estate with $700,000 real property 
       and $300,000 cash your probate fees might be:

 

      Filing fee                                            $435.00
      Publish fee                                        $150.00
      Executor fees
      4% first $100,000                              $4,000.00
      3% second $100,000                        $3,000.00
      2% next $800,000                             $16,000.00
      Attorney fees
      4% first $100,000                              $4,000.00
      3% second $100,000                        $3,000.00
      2% next $800,000                             $16,000.00
 

                                         TOTAL              $46,585.00

 

      Probate takes 1 to 2 years to conclude.

 

      Your personal finances and other private information are made public.

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