New York Probate Costs: Voluntary Administration and Full Probate (2026)

New York probate costs depend on whether you use voluntary administration (small estates) or full probate (larger estates).

Voluntary Administration Costs (Under $50,000)

Expense	Cost
Surrogate's Court filing fee	$200 - $300
Death certificates	$100 - $150
Notices and copies	$50 - $100
Notary	$10 - $25
DIY Total	$360 - $575
Attorney (optional, flat fee)	$1,200 - $2,000

Voluntary administration typically closes in 2 to 4 months at minimal cost.

Full Probate Costs (Larger Estates)

Expense	Cost
Surrogate's Court filing fee	$300 - $400
Death certificates and notices	$200 - $300
Publication and copies	$300 - $500
Probate attorney fees (typical flat)	$4,000 - $7,000
CPA/tax services	$1,000 - $1,500
Total	$5,800 - $9,700

Real Example: $60,000 New York Estate

If assets exceed $50,000 or include real property, full probate applies:

Item	Cost
Court filing	$300 - $400
Death certificates and notices	$200 - $300
Attorney (flat fee)	$4,500 - $6,000
Tax services	$800 - $1,200
Total	$5,800 - $7,900

This represents about 10% of estate value.

Ways to Reduce Costs

1. Use voluntary administration if eligible (fastest and cheapest)
2. Negotiate flat fee with attorney
3. Keep organized records (reduces attorney time)
4. Handle routine tasks yourself
5. Use ExecutorBench ($399 guided or $1,495 complete) to manage deadlines and tasks independently

Use ExecutorBench's probate cost estimator to get an estimate for your New York estate.

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Disclaimer: ExecutorBench provides self-help workflow software and document preparation support. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Costs vary by county and complexity. Consult an attorney licensed in New York for a specific estimate.