What probate costs in Georgia

The short answer

Georgia law sets the main probate petition fee at $175. Small add-on fees bring most first petitions to $210. On top of that come newspaper notices and $10 for each certified copy of letters. Some estates also need a bond. Lawyer fees vary a lot. The house costs money every month the estate stays open.

By Georgia Probate Specialist teamPublished October 17, 2026Updated October 17, 2026

On this page

01Court fees
02Newspaper notices
03Bond
04What the executor can be paid
05Lawyer fees
06The cost of keeping the house

Court fees

Georgia law sets the base fees. Since January 1, 2025, a petition costs $175. Other laws add small fees on top. The statewide fee list for 2025 puts most first petitions at $210.

Petition for letters of administration: $210
Five certified copies of letters: $50
Inventory: $40
First yearly report: $40
Petition for discharge at the end: $195
Court fees in this example: $535

Example only, from the 2025 fee list. Newspaper notices, a bond, and any lawyer come on top.

What is filed	Fee in the law	Total on the 2025 list
Probate a will	$175	$210
Letters of administration (no will)	$175	$210
No Administration Necessary	$175	$210
Year's support	$175	$210
Temporary letters, leave to sell, or discharge	$175	$195
Motion, citation, or caveat (an objection to a will)	$75	$75
Inventory or yearly report, if the estate has assets	$40	$40
Certified copy of letters	$10 each	$10 each

Fees are due when you file. Your county may differ a little, so ask the clerk for the total. The Georgia Probate Records website also has a fee tool by county.

Newspaper notices

Some steps need a notice in the county's legal newspaper, called the legal organ. The notice to creditors runs once a week for 4 weeks. Notice to an heir no one can find works the same way.

The newspaper charge is extra. It is not part of the court fee. In most courts the clerk collects it and sends the notice. Ask the clerk what it costs in your county.

Bond

A bond is a kind of insurance. It protects the heirs if estate money goes missing.

With no will, the administrator needs a bond unless every heir agrees to waive it. The court sets the amount. The bond fee is paid from the estate.

Bond companies set their own prices. The fee depends mostly on how big the bond is, so get more than one quote. Selling the house can raise the bond, since the sale brings in cash.

What the executor can be paid

The person in charge can be paid from the estate. If the will doesn't set the pay, and the heirs haven't agreed to it in writing, Georgia law sets it.

Estate takes in $100,000 (2.5%): $2,500
Estate pays out $100,000 (2.5%): $2,500
Executor pay set by law: $5,000

Example only. A will, or a written deal among the heirs, can set different pay.

2.5% of the money the estate takes in.
2.5% of the money paid out for debts and to heirs.
10% of the interest on estate money they lend out.
Up to 3% of the value when they hand over property itself instead of cash. The court sets this one.

Lawyer fees

Lawyers set their own fees. Some charge by the hour. Some charge one flat fee for a simple estate. The bill tends to grow when the family disagrees or the estate has debts. Ask for the fee in writing before you hire.

Probate without a lawyer

The cost of keeping the house

The house costs money every month the estate is open. Tax bills still come. The insurance has to stay in place, and some policies change when a home sits empty. Call the insurer. Utilities and yard care add up too.

Keep every receipt. The person in charge will want them when the estate settles up.

How long probate takes

Quick answers

Questions people ask

Who pays the probate fees?

The court fees are due when the papers are filed. The bond fee is paid from the estate.

What if I can't afford the filing fee?

You can file a sworn statement that you can't pay, called an affidavit of indigence. Then you don't pay when you file. Gwinnett notes that fees may still be owed once the estate has money.

How much is a certified copy of letters?

$10 each under state law. That includes the cost of the copy.

Is the executor paid?

Yes, by default. Georgia law sets 2.5% of money in and 2.5% of money out, unless the will or a written agreement of the heirs says otherwise.

Where these facts come from10 sources

This page explains how things work. It is not legal advice. Each fact here comes from one of these sources.