On August 17, 2003, California instituted a graduated fee for filing a probate case:
The filing fee in California for a $100 million estate is now $3,500 + $193,000 = Almost $200,000. In Washington, it’s $230. That California law must be known as the California Estate Planners’ Living Trust Act. |
The current (July 1, 2009) fee for filing a Will is $20, which is nonrefundable upon any subsequent filing of a Petition for Letters. Consequently, if a Petition for Letters will likely be filed, the fee for filing a Will may be avoided by filing the Will together with the Petition for Letters.
The current (July 1, 2009) fee for filing a Petition for Letters Testamentary or of Administration is $230.
Of the six larger Puget Sound counties (King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom) as well as Benton/Franklin, Clark, Spokane, and Yakima, all will accept for payment of filing fees:
Of those counties, only King County will accept a personal check but it must be made: