In most states, lawyers charge by the hour during probate cases – same as in any other legal area – but that’s not the case in California. David Lee Rice, APLC charges what’s called a “statutory fee,” which is essentially a percentage of the assets that go through the probate process. The State of California strictly regulates those fees. As of right now, the rates are as follows:
4 percent of the first $100,000 of the gross value of the probate estate
3 percent of the next $100,000
2 percent of the next $800,000
One percent of the next $9,000,000
.5 percent of the next $15,000,000
A court-determined amount for estates over $25 million