What is Probate? A Complete Beginner's Guide (2025)
Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate. Learn when probate is required, how long it takes, typical costs, and alternatives to avoid probate entirely in 2025.
Attorney-verified resources to help you understand probate laws, estimate costs, and navigate estate settlement with clarity and confidence.
Complete guides updated for 2025
Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate. Learn when probate is required, how long it takes, typical costs, and alternatives to avoid probate entirely in 2025.
How much does probate actually cost? Compare attorney fees, executor compensation, and court costs across all 50 states with our 2025 data analysis.
Probate can eat up 3-7% of an estate's value. Learn five proven strategies to minimize fees and protect your family's inheritance.
Named as an executor? This step-by-step checklist guides you through your legal responsibilities, from filing the will to final distribution.
Executor fees vary significantly by state law. See how compensation is calculated in your state in 2025, from statutory rates to "reasonable" fees.
Both roles involve settling an estate, but the path to appointment is different. Learn the key distinctions between an executor and an administrator.
Not everything you own has to go through probate. Learn the difference between probate assets and non-probate assets in 2025 to plan your estate settlement.
Understand how probate lawyers set their fees in 2025, from hourly rates to statutory percentages. Learn what to expect and how to negotiate legal costs.
Probate can be slow and expensive. Learn how to legally bypass the court process using trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership in 2025.
Learn how the Estate Administration Tax (EAT) works in Ontario, including the $50,000 threshold, executor commissions, and typical timelines for 2025.
A complete guide to getting a Grant of Probate in England and Wales. Learn about HMCTS fees, inheritance tax thresholds, and professional solicitor costs.
Understand how California's statutory probate fees are calculated under CPC 10810. See the exact percentages for attorneys and executors in 2025.
Understand Florida's statutory fee guidelines for probate attorneys and personal representatives under F.S. 733.6171 and 733.617.
Understand how Connecticut probate court fees are calculated under CGS 45a-107. Detailed breakdown of the graduated fee scale for 2025.
Texas has one of the most efficient probate systems in the country. Learn how Independent Administration reduces costs and speeds up the process in 2025.
A detailed guide to New York statutory executor commissions under SCPA 2307. Calculate exactly what an executor is entitled to in 2025.
Understand Missouri's unique statutory minimum fee schedule for probate. Calculate exactly what executors and attorneys are entitled to in 2025.
Oregon has a unique tiered fee structure for executors. Learn how Oregon probate fees are calculated and how to use the $275,000 small estate threshold.
South Dakota is one of the most efficient states for probate. Learn about SD statutory executor fees and informal administration procedures in 2025.
Our free state-specific calculator uses current statutory rates and attorney fee guidelines to give you a reliable estimate.
Probate laws vary significantly. Explore our detailed guides for high-statute states.