Why does probate take so long?

Under California law, a probate must stay open for at least four months so that creditors can be paid. The four months is mandatory even if there are no creditors. There are at least two court hearings, and each adds a month to the delay. Even the quickest probate takes more than six months.

What are the probate fees and expenses?

The fees for the administrator and for the attorney are set by the statute in California (see section 10810 of the Probate Code). The fees are based on the gross value of the estate as follows:

4% on the first $100,000.00

3% on the next $100,000.00

2% on the next $800,000.00

There are also court costs and appraisal fees.