Last updated by Mr. Probate. Not legal advice; your attorney confirms exact fees for your county.
Georgia probate costs at a glance.
| Cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Probate attorney, uncontested | $1,500 to $5,000 (most cases $2,000 to $4,000) |
| Probate attorney, contested | $7,500 to $25,000 or more |
| Petition filing fee | $150 to $300, by county |
| Letters issuance | $80 to $120 |
| Filing, letters and creditor notice together | About $250 to $500 |
| Certified death certificates (state office) | $25 for the first, $5 for each extra copy ordered at the same time |
| Cleanout or estate sale | $1,500 to $8,000, depending on the house |
| Holding the house while you decide | Often $2,500 to $4,000 a month (mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, upkeep) |
| Free consultation with us | $0 |
How much is a probate attorney in Georgia?
A Georgia probate attorney usually charges $1,500 to $5,000 for an uncontested case, often as a flat fee. Most straightforward cases with one house and cooperative heirs land between $2,000 and $4,000. The catch for most families isn't the size of the fee. It's that the first attorney they call wants a $3,000 or $4,000 retainer the month after a funeral.
What makes Georgia probate cost more?
A contest is what moves probate from a few thousand dollars to $7,500 to $25,000 or more. The common triggers we see:
- An heir won't sign. Missing consents mean extra notice, extra hearings, and extra attorney time. What happens when an heir refuses to sign.
- No will. Georgia's intestate rules decide who inherits, and the court appoints an administrator. Probate when there's no will.
- A sibling living in the house. Disagreements over who stays and who pays stretch the timeline. When a sibling lives in the inherited house.
- Time. Every month the house sits, the family carries its costs. A contested case commonly takes 12 to 24 months or longer. How long probate takes in Georgia.
Who pays for probate in Georgia?
Probate costs are an expense of the estate, so they're normally repaid from what the estate owns, and for most families that means the house. The hard part is that the bills arrive before the house can be sold.
That's the gap Mr. Probatecloses. If the house has equity, we can cover the attorney fees, court costs, and the work to get the house ready to sell, and we're repaid in one amount at closing. No monthly payments, and every term is in writing before you sign. See how probate fee assistance works.
When fee assistance isn't a fit.
If the house is worth less than what's owed on it (mortgage, back taxes, liens), there's nothing to repay an advance from, so fee assistance won't work. We'll still tell you on the free call what a fair attorney fee looks like for your county, and whether a shorter court path might apply.
Some estates with no debt and heirs who all agree can use Georgia's No Administration Necessary petition, which usually costs less than full administration.
The most expensive way to pay for probate.
Signing a “we buy houses” cash offer that promises to handle probate for you. That help is real, but it's usually priced into an offer 10 to 20 percent below market. On a $350,000 house, that's $35,000 to $70,000 to skip an attorney fee that is often $2,000 to $5,000. Read this before you sign a cash offer.
Questions families ask about probate costs.
How much does probate cost in Georgia?
For an uncontested Georgia probate, expect $1,500 to $5,000 in attorney fees (most straightforward cases land between $2,000 and $4,000) plus roughly $250 to $500 in court filing, letters, and newspaper-notice costs. A contested case, where someone challenges the will or an heir won't cooperate, usually runs $7,500 to $25,000 or more.
Who pays probate costs in Georgia?
Probate costs are an expense of the estate, so they are normally repaid from the estate's assets, often from the sale of the house. The problem is timing: attorneys usually want a retainer before the house can be sold. Mr. Probate's fee assistance covers those costs up front when the house has equity, and is repaid at closing.
What are Georgia probate court filing fees?
Initial probate petition fees in Georgia generally fall between $150 and $300, with letters issuance fees of about $80 to $120 on top. The required notice to creditors runs in the county's legal newspaper for four weeks. Exact amounts vary by county, and the attorney confirms current numbers before filing.
Can I avoid probate costs in Georgia?
Sometimes. When there's no debt and every heir agrees, Georgia's No Administration Necessary petition (O.C.G.A. 53-2-40) can replace full administration with a shorter court process. It still involves a court filing, but usually costs less. Whether it fits depends on the estate.
Is a cash buyer cheaper than paying for probate?
Usually not. A cash buyer who offers to handle probate for you typically builds that cost into a price 10 to 20 percent below market. On a $350,000 house, that can mean giving up $35,000 to $70,000 to avoid an attorney fee that is often $2,000 to $5,000.
How much does the free consultation cost?
Nothing. The 15-minute call with Mr. Probate is free, with no retainer and no obligation. We'll tell you what probate should cost for your situation and whether fee assistance fits.
Get your number in 15 minutes.
Tell us about the house and the family. We'll tell you what probate should cost in your county and whether we can cover it up front. Free, and no pressure either way.