Georgia Probate Costs
Georgia probate filing fees are set by petition type, not by estate value. The uniform statutory fee is $175, but county add-ons, publication, and certified copies push the real total higher. Use these as planning estimates and confirm with your county probate court.
Georgia probate filing fees do not scale with the size of the estate. The uniform statutory petition fee is $175 under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 (SB 232, effective January 1, 2025), and the same base fee applies whether you file for letters of administration, to probate a will, for No Administration Necessary, or for year's support.
Each county then adds mandatory surcharges (indigent defense, ADR, Children's Trust Fund, and law library), so observed county totals commonly run about $206 and up, with year's support reaching roughly $354 once publication is included. Georgia has no state estate or inheritance tax. These are planning estimates — confirm the current total with your county probate court.
Quick Summary
The $175 base petition fee is uniform statewide, but each county adds mandatory surcharges plus publication and certified-copy costs, so county totals vary (commonly ~$206 and up). Confirm the current total, payment methods, and local filing instructions with the county probate court.
Probate Cost by Procedure
| Procedure | Estate Size | Court Fee | Timeline | Attorney? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Administration Necessary | No will; no debts (or creditor consent) and heirs agree — fee not based on estate value | About $206 (uniform $175 + county add-ons) | County court timing varies | No (often useful) | Intestate estates with no debts where all heirs agree on the division |
| Year's Support | Sets aside property for a surviving spouse and/or minor children — fee not based on estate value | About $209 plus publication, up to ~$354 | County court timing varies (notice and any objection period) | No (often useful) | A surviving spouse and/or minor children needing support property set aside |
| Probate of Will (Common or Solemn Form) | There is a will — fee not based on estate value | About $206 (uniform $175 + county add-ons) | Common form is faster; solemn form requires notice to heirs | No (often useful) | Estates with a will (common form for speed, solemn form for binding finality) |
| Permanent Letters of Administration | No will (intestate); no dollar cap — fee not based on estate value | About $206 (uniform $175 + county add-ons) | County court timing varies (notice, possible bond, inventory) | No (often useful) | Intestate estates that do not fit a simplified no-will device |
Additional Costs to Expect
County Add-On Surcharges
Counties collect mandatory add-ons such as indigent defense (O.C.G.A. § 15-21A-6), ADR (O.C.G.A. § 15-23-7), Children's Trust Fund (O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60.1), and law library (O.C.G.A. § 36-15-9) fees on top of the uniform petition fee.
Publication and Notice
Publication of citation or notice (for example in year's support and many administration filings) is a cost of service charged in addition to the court fee and can add roughly $100 or more.
Executor / Administrator Commission
The personal representative is entitled to a statutory commission of 2.5% on sums received and 2.5% on sums paid out, plus possible extra compensation for non-money property distributed in kind and interest earned, unless the will sets different terms.
Certified Copies and Death Records
Certified death certificates and certified copies of court documents (letters, orders) carry per-copy charges that vary by issuing office and ordering method.
Recording and Title Costs
Recording a certified No Administration Necessary order or other documents in the county deed records, plus vehicle title and transfer work, can add separate costs.
Attorney and Tax Professional Fees
Georgia does not use a California-style statutory attorney fee schedule. Attorney and tax-preparation fees are set by written agreement and should be separated from court costs.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
Source Notes
- Statute / Authority
- O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 (probate court fees) and O.C.G.A. Title 53
- Fee Source
- Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges Schedule of Costs and Fees; county probate court schedules
- Last Verified
- June 2026
- Threshold Effective Date
- January 1, 2025 (SB 232). The uniform statutory petition fee rose to $175. Filing fees do NOT scale with estate value; county add-ons (indigent defense, ADR, Children's Trust Fund, law library) plus publication and certified copies are charged on top.
- Notes
- Georgia has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax (state estate tax repealed effective 2014). Filing fees are by petition type, not estate value. Confirm the current county total before filing.
Sources
- O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 (Probate court fees, effective January 1, 2025)Justia / Code of Georgia. Effective January 1, 2025; accessed June 16, 2026.
- O.C.G.A. § 53-6-60 (Personal representative compensation — amount)Justia / Code of Georgia. Current official statute, accessed June 16, 2026.
- Costs and Fees — Probate CourtGlynn County, Georgia (Georgia Probate Council fee schedule). Effective January 1, 2025; accessed June 16, 2026.
- Common Probate Court FeesCobb County, Georgia Probate Court. Accessed June 16, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file probate in Georgia?
The uniform statutory petition fee is $175 under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60 (effective January 1, 2025), but counties add mandatory surcharges, so the real total commonly runs about $206 and up. Year's support can reach roughly $354 once publication is included. Confirm the current total with your county probate court.
Do Georgia probate fees depend on the size of the estate?
No. Georgia probate filing fees are set by petition type, not by estate value. The same $175 base applies whether you file for letters of administration, to probate a will, for No Administration Necessary, or for year's support, with county add-ons charged on top.
Does Georgia have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
No. Georgia has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax (the state estate tax was repealed effective 2014). Only the federal estate tax can apply, and that affects only very large estates above the federal exemption.
How much is an executor paid in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. § 53-6-60, the personal representative is entitled to a commission of 2.5% on all money received by the estate and 2.5% on all money paid out, with possible additional compensation for non-money property distributed in kind and interest earned, unless the will provides different terms.
Are Georgia probate costs the same in every county?
The $175 base petition fee is uniform statewide, but each county adds mandatory surcharges plus publication and certified-copy costs, so totals vary. Confirm the current total, payment methods, and local instructions with the county probate court before filing.
Estimate Your Georgia Probate Path
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