Nevada Probate Cost: District Court Fees and Statutory Compensation
Nevada probate runs through the district court, with filings made at the county clerk. Start with the value-bracketed filing fee, then add the two figures that swing the total: the statutory personal representative commission and the statutory attorney compensation.
Nevada probate cost is not a single number. Probate is heard in the district court, and you file with the county clerk acting as Clerk of the District Court (Nevada has no separate probate court). The county clerk collects a base filing fee of $72 under NRS 19.013 for estates over $2,500, plus a value-based supplemental fee under NRS 19.0302 that is $0 for estates of $20,000 or less, $99 for estates over $20,000 but less than $300,000, and $352 for estates of $300,000 or more. Counties add small court-facility and law-library fees, so published all-in totals are higher (Clark County publishes about $185.50, $284.50, and $537.50 by bracket).
The figures that actually move the total are statutory. The personal representative commission under NRS 150.020 is 4% of the first $15,000, 3% of the next $85,000, and 2% of everything above $100,000, though family representatives often waive it. Attorney compensation under NRS 150.060 is reasonable compensation that may follow a statutory percentage schedule, subject to court approval. Nevada is a community property state, so generally only the decedent's half of community property runs through probate. Nevada has no state estate tax, inheritance tax, or income tax. Confirm the current filing-fee schedule with the county clerk of the district court before relying on a number.
Quick Summary
The NRS 19.013 base fee and the NRS 19.0302 supplemental fee are set statewide, but each county clerk adds court-facility, law-library, and administrative-assessment fees, so the published all-in total at the counter varies by county (Clark County publishes about $185.50, $284.50, and $537.50 by estate-value bracket). Newspaper publication, certified copies, and recording fees also differ locally. Confirm the current schedule with the county clerk of the district court where the decedent resided before filing.
Probate Cost by Procedure
| Procedure | Estate Size | Court Fee | Timeline | Attorney? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affidavit to Collect Personal Property (NRS 146.080) | Gross estate in Nevada $25,000 or less (non-spouse claimant) or $150,000 or less (surviving spouse); no real property | $0 (affidavit presented to the asset holder; no court filing) | 40+ days after death | No | Small personal-property estates where no letters have been issued |
| Set Aside Without Administration (NRS 146.070) | Gross estate $150,000 or less; court sets the estate aside to the surviving spouse or minor children | District court filing fee for the estate-value bracket (NRS 19.013 base plus NRS 19.0302 supplement and county add-ons) | Typically faster than full administration | No statewide requirement; often useful | Smaller estates that can be set aside to a surviving spouse or minor children |
| Summary Administration (NRS 145.040) | Gross value, after deducting encumbrances, $500,000 or less | District court filing fee for the estate-value bracket (e.g. Clark County total about $284.50 or $537.50) | Streamlined; several months | No statewide requirement; commonly used | Mid-size estates that qualify for reduced procedural requirements |
| General (Full) Administration | No dollar cap; estates above the summary-administration threshold or needing full oversight | District court filing fee for the estate-value bracket (e.g. Clark County total about $537.50 for $300,000 or more) | Often a year or more, including the creditor-claim period | No statewide requirement; commonly recommended | Larger or contested estates needing full court-supervised administration |
Additional Costs to Expect
District Court Filing Fee (County Clerk)
The county clerk collects a base fee of $72 under NRS 19.013 for estates over $2,500 (no base fee at or below $2,500), plus a supplemental fee under NRS 19.0302 of $0 for estates of $20,000 or less, $99 for estates over $20,000 but less than $300,000, and $352 for estates of $300,000 or more. Counties add court-facility and law-library fees, so published totals run higher. Confirm the county schedule.
Personal Representative Commission (Statutory)
NRS 150.020 sets the personal representative commission on the value of the estate accounted for: 4% of the first $15,000, 3% of the next $85,000, and 2% of all amounts above $100,000 (about $9,150 on a $400,000 estate). The court may allow additional compensation for extraordinary services, and family representatives often waive the commission.
Attorney Compensation (Statutory or Agreed)
NRS 150.060 entitles the attorney for the personal representative to reasonable compensation from the estate, which may be set by an hourly rate, a flat fee, an agreement, or the statutory percentage schedule, all subject to court approval. Extraordinary services are compensated separately under NRS 150.061. An estate handled without an attorney avoids this line.
Publication of Notice to Creditors
Notice to creditors and notice of hearing are generally published in a newspaper under NRS 155.020. The first publication starts the creditor-claim period. The newspaper sets the price, which varies by county and circulation.
Certified Copies and Death Certificates
Certified Nevada death certificates from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (Office of Vital Records) or the local registrar cost $25 per copy in Carson City, Clark, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, and Washoe, and $22 elsewhere. The county clerk charges separate per-page copy and certification fees for certified court documents such as letters.
Bond, Appraisal, Recording, and Tax Preparation
A fiduciary bond may be required unless waived by the will or all heirs (NRS 142.020), and real estate, business interests, or unusual assets may need appraisal and recording. A final income tax return may apply, but Nevada has no state estate, inheritance, or income tax, so the state death-transfer tax line is zero.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
Source Notes
- Statute / Authority
- NRS 19.013, 19.0302, 150.020, 150.060, 146.070, 146.080, and 145.040
- Fee Source
- Nevada district court filing fees (county clerk) under NRS 19.013 and NRS 19.0302, plus statutory compensation schedules under NRS 150.020 and NRS 150.060
- Last Verified
- June 2026
- Notes
- Nevada probate is heard in the district court, and filings are made with the county clerk as Clerk of the District Court; there is no separate probate court. The NRS 19.013 base fee and NRS 19.0302 supplemental fee are statewide, but counties add court-facility and law-library fees, so published totals vary by county. The personal representative commission (NRS 150.020) and attorney compensation (NRS 150.060) are statutory and subject to court approval. Nevada is a community property state and has no state estate, inheritance, or income tax.
Sources
- NRS 19.013 and NRS 19.0302, Fees of county clerk; additional filing fee for certain civil and probate actionsNevada Legislature (Nevada Revised Statutes). Current official statute text, accessed June 2026.
- NRS 150.020, General compensation of personal representativeNevada Legislature (Nevada Revised Statutes). Current official statute text, accessed June 2026.
- NRS 150.060, Attorneys for personal representatives: General compensationNevada Legislature (Nevada Revised Statutes). Current official statute text, accessed June 2026.
- NRS Chapter 146, Set aside without administration, affidavit, and small estatesNevada Legislature (Nevada Revised Statutes). Current official statute text, accessed June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does probate cost in Nevada?
There is no single Nevada probate cost. Start with the district court filing fee collected by the county clerk: a $72 base fee under NRS 19.013 for estates over $2,500, plus a value-based supplemental fee under NRS 19.0302 ($0, $99, or $352 by bracket). Counties add court-facility and law-library fees, so published totals run higher (Clark County publishes about $185.50, $284.50, and $537.50). The total then depends on the statutory personal representative commission, statutory attorney compensation, publication, certified copies, and any bond or appraisal.
Does the Nevada probate filing fee depend on estate value?
Yes, in part. The NRS 19.013 base fee is $72 for any estate over $2,500, but the NRS 19.0302 supplemental fee scales with the stated estate value: $0 for estates of $20,000 or less, $99 for estates over $20,000 but less than $300,000, and $352 for estates of $300,000 or more. With county add-ons, Clark County publishes all-in totals of about $185.50, $284.50, and $537.50 by bracket.
What is the cheapest way to settle an estate in Nevada?
For a qualifying small estate, the affidavit to collect personal property under NRS 146.080 is the lowest-cost path because it has no court filing fee. It is available at least 40 days after death when the gross Nevada estate is $25,000 or less for a non-spouse claimant, or $150,000 or less for a surviving spouse, and it does not transfer real property. Larger estates may qualify for set aside without administration (NRS 146.070, up to $150,000) or summary administration (NRS 145.040, up to $500,000).
How much is a Nevada personal representative paid?
NRS 150.020 sets the commission on the value of the estate accounted for: 4% of the first $15,000, 3% of the next $85,000, and 2% of all amounts above $100,000. On a $400,000 estate that is about $9,150. The court may allow additional compensation for extraordinary services, and all compensation is subject to court approval. Family representatives often waive the commission.
How much does a probate attorney cost in Nevada?
NRS 150.060 entitles the attorney for the personal representative to reasonable compensation paid from the estate. It may be set by an hourly rate, a flat fee, a written agreement, or the statutory percentage schedule of the value of the estate accounted for, and the court must approve it. Extraordinary services are compensated separately under NRS 150.061, and there is no requirement to hire an attorney.
Does Nevada have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
No. Nevada has no state estate tax, no inheritance tax, and no state income tax. NRS Chapter 375A is a dormant pick-up estate tax tied to a repealed federal credit, so it imposes no current Nevada tax. Only the federal estate tax can apply, and that affects only very large estates above the federal exemption. Probate cost in Nevada comes from filing fees, statutory compensation, and professional fees, not a death-transfer tax.
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