Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Re: probate

It takes at least six months, and typically takes 9-12 months for estates under the federal estate tax limit (currently $3.5 million). It can take longer if there are difficult assets to sell or if beneficiaries/heirs file a contest.

The attorney fees are generally about 2-3% of the estate, with the executor fees another 2-3%. Again, the attorney fees can be higher with difficult assets or litigation, but most probates are about 2-3%.