Sacramento Law Group

Affordable Sacramento Probate Attorney

Sacramento Law Group LLP attorneys can handle your probate case for less California statutory fees. After a free phone consultation our attorney can help you navigate the probate process and close out the estate for $500 less than California statutory fees. If you have been appointed executor, administrator, or if your loved one died without a will, call our probate attorney at (916) 596-1018 for a free phone consultation.

How Much Does A Probate Attorney Cost?

There is very little price competition among probate attorneys. Unlike other states, California allows probate attorneys to charge a “statutory fee.” The fee is established in Probate Code Section 10810 and is represented as a percentage of the gross value of the estate:

  • 4% of the first one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), plus
  • 3% of the next one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), plus
  • 2% of the next eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000), plus
  • 1% of the next nine million dollars ($9,000,000), plus
  • .5% of the next fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000)

When computing the gross value of the estate debts such as mortgages and other forms of secured and unsecured debts are not included. For example, if a decedent’s estate only consists of a $300,000 house with a $100,000 mortgage the statutory fee would be based on the $300,000 figure. In that event, the probate attorney’s statutory fee would be $9,000.

Can Probate Attorneys Charge Less?

Yes. Most probate lawyers give the impression that the statutory fee is the only rate that can be charged, but that’s not true. The statutory fee establishes the maximum rate a probate attorney can charge. The personal representative and attorney can negotiate for a lower rate before representation begins.

Sacramento Law Group LLP is one of the few law firms that charge less than the statutory fee. Our probate attorney charges 3.5% on the first $100,000. Accordingly, by hiring our probate attorney the estate can save as much as $500 on attorney fees.

Why Does The Statutory Fee Exist?

Executors are often distressed following their loved ones death and vulnerable to probate attorneys who overcharge for their services. To prevent such a situation from occurring the California State Legislature established a statutory fee that sets a maximum rate probate attorneys can charge for “ordinary” services.

Why Should You Hire A Probate Attorney?

  1. You don’t pay the attorney.  Attorney fees are paid from the estate at the end of probate. The personal representative (executor, administrator) does not personally pay the attorney fees.
  2. Avoid liability.  Probate attorneys help the personal representative avoid mismanagement of the estate and thereby avoid personal liability and damages.
  3. Close the estate faster.  Probate attorneys efficiently administer the estate. Non-attorneys may find court appearances, filings and procedure time-consuming and difficult to understand.

Is The Personal Representative Compensated?

Yes. The personal representative (Executor if there is a will or the Administrator if no will exists) may be compensated in an amount equivalent to the statutory fee in Probate Code Section 10810.

Why Do Some Personal Representative’s Waive Their Fee?

It’s up to the personal representative to decide whether to waive or collect their statutory fee. Some personal representative’s are the sole beneficiary and would prefer to waive their statutory fee to receive more non-taxable income. Other personal representatives initially elect to waive their fee to enlarge the estate for beneficiaries, but later reconsider in light of the considerable work expended in probate.

$500 OFF Attorney Fees, Same Professional Service

Our Sacramento probate attorney delivers the same professional representation anyone would expect of legal counsel. However, unlike the majority of probate attorneys we charge less than the statutory attorney fees identified in California Probate Code § 10810. With attorney fees payable through the estate, our reduced fees are designed to help Executors avoid personal liability for mismanagement at a cost less than statutory attorney fees.

If you have been named as the Executor in a will, or if your loved one passed away without a will, call our probate attorney at (916) 596-1018 for a free consultation.

Why Do I Need A Probate Attorney?

For the same reason anyone hires an attorney: the law and procedure is complex and only a skilled professional competent in that area can navigate the process to deliver the optimal outcome. A layman attempting to navigate the process on their own can make costly mistakes exposing themselves to liability. Accordingly, executors hire probate attorneys to successfully navigate probate administration, resolve complications and avoid mistakes which lead to probate litigation.

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*$900 Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Fee Disclaimer: While most cases qualify for the above fee, some cases are complex. Consequently, the above fee is only a sample fee (not a specific or guaranteed fee) and is subject to change at any time due to the necessity of charging more for complex cases. The sample chapter 7 fee represents the typical fee for a simple no-asset chapter 7 case. The $900 fee is only available to residents of the following counties: Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Solano and San Joaquin. Residents of other counties may be charged more.