How Much Does Probate Cost in Nevada?

The estate is worth $350,000. The attorney wants $10,000. The executor expects their statutory commission. The court wants filing fees. The newspaper wants publication fees. By the time everyone takes their cut, the inheritance has shrunk by 5 to 8 percent — and that's if nothing goes wrong.

Here's a realistic breakdown of what Nevada probate actually costs, from the simplest affidavit to full general administration.

Court Filing Fees

Nevada's district courts charge filing fees scaled to the stated value of the estate. Clark County (Eighth Judicial District) and Washoe County (Second Judicial District) both follow the same state fee schedule but add different local surcharges:

Additional court costs include $18 to lodge an original will in Clark County and $42 to $43 for recording deeds with the county recorder after the estate closes. If anyone files a contest or objection, expect an additional $124 to $476 in Clark County or $208 in Washoe County.

For a Set Aside petition (estates under $150,000), you're typically looking at the $284.50 filing fee and nothing more on the court side.

Executor Commissions

Unless the will specifies a fixed compensation amount, the personal representative is entitled to a statutory commission under NRS 150.020. This is calculated on the total value of the estate accounted for, minus liens and encumbrances:

For a $300,000 estate, that's $600 + $2,550 + $4,000 = $7,150 in executor compensation. For a $500,000 estate, it's $11,150.

The court can also approve additional "extraordinary service" fees if the executor handled unusually complex tasks — managing a business, dealing with contested claims, or overseeing real estate sales.

Family members serving as executor sometimes waive their commission to preserve the estate value for other heirs. That's a personal decision, not a legal requirement.

Attorney Fees

Nevada probate attorneys typically bill in one of three ways: hourly ($250 to $500+ per hour), flat fee (common for simple summary administrations), or statutory percentage.

If the attorney uses the percentage method under NRS 150.060, the rates are higher than executor commissions:

For a $300,000 estate: $4,000 + $3,000 + $2,000 = $9,000 in statutory attorney fees. For a $500,000 estate: $4,000 + $3,000 + $6,000 = $13,000.

Before paying percentage-based fees, the personal representative must sign a detailed written agreement setting out the fee schedule and how extraordinary services will be billed. The district court reviews and approves all attorney fee requests during the final accounting — they're not automatic.

Attorneys can also claim extraordinary service fees for tasks beyond standard probate mechanics: litigating will contests, handling real estate sales, operating the decedent's business, or resolving complex creditor disputes.

Hidden and Overlooked Costs

The filing fees, commissions, and attorney fees get the most attention, but several other costs add up:

Newspaper publication fees. Nevada requires creditor notices to be published three times in a local newspaper, with at least 10 days between the first and last publication. Depending on the newspaper, this runs $100 to $500.

Surety bond premiums. If the court requires a probate bond (common when the will doesn't waive it or heirs don't consent), surety companies charge 0.5% to 1% of the estate's value annually. For a $400,000 estate, that's $2,000 to $4,000 per year.

Appraisal fees. Real estate, business interests, jewelry, and art may require professional appraisals. Residential appraisals typically cost $300 to $500; business valuations can run several thousand.

Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT). When property changes hands, the county recorder collects RPTT at $2.55 per $500 of value in Clark County and $2.05 per $500 in Washoe County. However, transfers that take effect upon death (like probate distributions) qualify for an exemption under NRS 375.090 — file the Declaration of Value correctly and you pay nothing.

Tax preparation. The estate needs its own EIN and may require a federal fiduciary income tax return (Form 1041) if it earns income during administration. CPA fees for estate tax returns typically run $500 to $2,000.

Total Cost Estimates by Estate Size

Putting it all together for common scenarios:

$100,000 estate (Set Aside): Filing fee $284.50, no executor commission, no attorney if you handle it yourself. Total: under $500 if you go pro se.

$300,000 estate (Summary Administration): Filing fee $284.50, executor commission $7,150, attorney fees $3,000 to $9,000 (depending on billing method), publication $200, appraisal $400. Total: $11,000 to $17,000.

$500,000 estate (Summary or General Administration): Filing fee $537.50, executor commission $11,150, attorney fees $5,000 to $13,000, publication $300, bond $2,000 to $4,000, appraisal $500. Total: $19,000 to $29,000.

These ranges assume an uncontested estate with no litigation. A will contest or complex creditor dispute can easily double the attorney fees.

How to Minimize Costs

The cheapest probate is the one you avoid entirely — living trusts, TOD deeds, POD accounts, and beneficiary designations keep assets out of court. For estates already in probate, the biggest cost lever is attorney fees: handling a straightforward Summary Administration yourself with a detailed procedural guide can save $5,000 to $13,000 compared to hiring counsel.

The Nevada Probate Process Guide includes a fee schedule worksheet with Clark and Washoe County filing fees, executor compensation calculators, and a step-by-step roadmap for self-represented executors who want to minimize professional fees without missing statutory deadlines.

See more Nevada guides →