How Much Does Probate Cost in Georgia?

If you’re dealing with probate in Georgia, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is: How much is this going to cost?

That’s a tough question because the answer can vary drastically depending on the estate, how complicated the situation is, and how much help you need.

I’m Brad, the Probate House Guy. I’m an active real estate investor and a licensed real estate agent in the state of Georgia. Over the last 10 years, I’ve helped more than 300 sellers get their properties sold, whether through a cash deal or by listing the property traditionally.

Over the years, we’ve learned a thing or two about probate and estates, so I’m sharing what I know to hopefully make the process a little easier to understand.

One important disclaimer before we get started: I’m not an attorney, and I don’t claim to be one. Nothing in this article should be considered legal advice. I highly recommend consulting with a probate attorney or real estate attorney about your specific situation.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about how much probate costs in Georgia.

How Much Does Probate Cost in Georgia?

The best way I can explain this is by bringing in my buddy, Josh Nelson, who is a probate attorney here in Georgia.

Josh and I recorded a video together a few years ago, but the information he shared is still applicable in 2026. He broke down probate costs based on how much help you actually need.

And this is important because there isn’t necessarily one set price for probate.

DIY Probate Cost: Around $500 or Less

According to Josh, if you have a relatively simple estate and you’re willing to handle the probate process yourself without hiring an attorney, you can often get it done for under $500.

That’s obviously going to require you to be a DIYer.

If you’re the kind of person who is resourceful, likes figuring things out, and feels comfortable handling paperwork and dealing with the court, this may be an option worth considering.

But there’s another side to that decision.

Probate is a legal proceeding. If you file something incorrectly, the judge can call you in for what’s called an administrative hearing to address the issue.

And if you’re already dealing with the loss of a loved one, that can be stressful and overwhelming.

So you really have to look at your own personality and your comfort level before deciding whether doing probate yourself makes sense.

Limited Legal Help: Around $1,500 to $2,000+

The next option is getting some legal help without hiring an attorney to handle the entire estate.

Josh described this as a limited or “letters-only” type of engagement. Essentially, the attorney helps you complete the petition and get established as the executor or administrator so you have permission from the court to handle the estate.

According to Josh, this type of assistance typically runs around $1,500 to a little over $2,000, depending on the law firm you work with.

This can be a middle-ground option if you want some professional guidance but don’t necessarily want an attorney handling every aspect of the probate process.

Full Probate Administration: What Does It Cost?

Then you have what Josh described as full administration.

This is where the attorney helps walk you through the entire probate case, from the initial petition all the way through the final discharge.

That can include things like handling creditor notices, dealing with heirs and potential issues between heirs, making sure checks are written to the right places, and making sure the judge signs off at the end.

This level of assistance can get considerably more expensive.

Some attorneys charge an hourly rate. Josh said that rate is often around $350 to $500 per hour.

And as you can imagine, that can add up pretty quickly.

Other attorneys may charge a percentage of the estate. Josh said 3% up to the first $1 million is a common fee structure he sees.

One important thing to understand is that Georgia does not have the same type of statutory or court-regulated attorney fees that some other states have. Josh used Florida as an example. Because of that, attorneys in Georgia can set the fees they charge for probate services.

So, as a general ballpark based on the ranges Josh discussed:

• DIY probate: Around $500 or less
• Limited legal assistance: Approximately $1,500–$2,000+
• Full administration: Around 3% of the estate or a minimum of roughly $6,000–$7,000

Of course, these are general figures discussed in our conversation and not a quote for your particular probate case.

What If You Inherited a Property During Probate?

If you’ve inherited a house, probate costs may be just one piece of the puzzle.

You also have to figure out what you’re going to do with the property.

And that’s where we can help.

If you’d like to talk with us about the options for a property you’ve inherited, we’d be happy to have that conversation. You can simply fill out the form on the page, and a member of our team will get in touch with you.

There are options when it comes to selling an inherited property, and you don’t necessarily have to figure everything out by yourself.

Who Actually Pays the Probate Costs?

Here’s another important point Josh brought up: the legal fees are paid out of the estate.

That means the cost doesn’t necessarily have to come entirely out of one person’s pocket.

For example, let’s say there are five or six heirs involved.

Even though one person may be making the commitment to move forward with the probate process, the expenses are generally paid from the estate rather than simply being one person’s personal bill.

That can make a difference when you’re deciding how much help you want.

Josh gave a good example.

If you’re the only heir, you’re essentially carrying the entire cost yourself. But if there are five or six heirs, you may only be responsible for your share of the expense.

And maybe there are step-siblings or other heirs you don’t have the best relationship with. Maybe you’re worried there could be disagreements or that the situation could become stressful.

In that situation, paying for professional help may make a lot more sense.

As Josh put it, if there are five people involved and you’re effectively responsible for 20% of the fee, it might be worth having someone help navigate the process rather than having everyone constantly calling you directly.

You Don’t Have to Assume Probate Will Cost Tens of Thousands of Dollars

That’s probably one of the biggest takeaways from this conversation.

I’ve talked to people who don’t want to file probate at all because they’ve been told—or they’ve assumed—that it’s going to cost tens of thousands of dollars.

And in many cases, it doesn’t.

Yes, some probate cases can become expensive, especially when they’re complicated. But there are different levels of assistance available, and the cost can vary depending on what your particular situation requires.

There may also be options for handling the cost of probate when an inherited property is being sold.

For example, there are situations where some of the cost can be paid upfront and the remainder can be paid at closing once the property sells.

So there are options.

That’s why I always recommend talking with a probate attorney about your specific situation before making a decision. They can help you understand what your particular estate looks like and what kind of legal assistance makes sense.

What Should You Do If You’re Selling an Inherited House in Georgia?

If you’ve inherited a property and you’re trying to decide what to do with it, that’s something we can help you explore.

I’ve been buying properties from people involved in probate and estates for the last 10 years, and we’ve helped hundreds of sellers get their properties sold.

I also happen to be a licensed real estate agent, so there are a couple of different directions we can discuss.

Maybe you want to sell the property traditionally and put it on the market.

Or maybe you don’t want to deal with repairs, cleaning everything out, waiting for a buyer, or going through the traditional process. Maybe you just want to sell the property as-is and get it done quickly.

We can talk about the cash-offer route as well.

The important thing is that you have options.

If you’ve inherited a property in Georgia and you’re trying to figure out what those options look like, simply fill out the form on this page.

A member of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible, and we can talk through the property and your situation.

And again, when it comes to the legal side of probate, make sure you consult with a qualified probate attorney about your specific circumstances.