PROBATE

Thus, the statutory probate fee on a $100,000 estate would be $3,150, the fee on a $500,000 estate would be $11,150, and the probate attorney's fee on a $1 million estate would be $21,150. In our opinion, these statutory probate fees are usually adequate for small estates, and generous for "moderate" estates. For larger estates, we believe these fees are unconscionably high. In theory, excessive fees from large estates are "balanced" with smaller fees in small estates - but estates under $100,000 normally need not be probated, and many attorneys refuse to accept small probate cases.