The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Nevada with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.
The short answer
Nevada is one of the states where the core probate fees are set by statute — fixed by law rather than negotiated. Here’s how those fees work, what else gets added on top, and the ways many families avoid full probate entirely.
Attorney fees
The attorney may elect a statutory percentage under NRS §150.060: 4% of the first $100,000, 3% of the next $100,000, 2% of the next $800,000, 1% of the next $9M, and 0.5% of the next $15M — or ask the court for reasonable compensation instead.
Executor / personal representative fees
Statutory under NRS §150.020: 4% of the first $15,000, 3% of the next $85,000, and 2% of everything above $100,000. The attorney's and executor's fees apply separately. Family executors often waive their commission.
What the fee is based on
Calculated on the value of the estate accounted for, less liens and encumbrances. Because the attorney and executor each draw a percentage, combined fees on a mid-size Nevada estate can reach five figures — similar in feel to California, though the executor's schedule is lighter.
Court filing fees
Roughly $200 to $600 to open probate, tiered by estate value and county (Clark and Washoe counties handle most cases).
Appraisal / probate referee
Not used. Nevada does not appoint a state appraiser. The personal representative files an inventory and may retain a disinterested appraiser for real estate or unusual assets.
How long probate takes in Nevada
About 6 to 12 months for a routine case; the 90-day creditor period sets the floor, and set-aside or summary administration can be faster. Contested estates, missing heirs, or real estate sales can extend that.
Creditor claim period
Creditors must file claims within 90 days after first publication of the notice to creditors under NRS §147.040 (60 days in a summary administration). In practice, this window is often the real floor on how quickly an estate can close, because the personal representative usually waits it out before making final distributions.
How to skip full probate (or shrink the bill)
- Small-estate procedure. An estate of $100,000 or less with a surviving spouse or minor children can be set aside without administration under NRS §146.070. A separate affidavit collects personal property up to $25,000 (or up to $100,000 if the affiant is the surviving spouse) under NRS §146.080.
- Transfer-on-death deed. Nevada allows a deed upon death (transfer-on-death deed) for real estate under its Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act (NRS §111.655 et seq.). Owners can record the deed naming a beneficiary; the property passes at death without probate.
- A funded living trust. Assets in a properly funded revocable living trust skip probate entirely. The successor trustee distributes them privately, usually in a month or two.
- Beneficiary designations and joint ownership. Life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death (POD) accounts, and jointly held property pass directly to the named person and never enter probate.
- Family member as executor. When a relative serves as executor, they can often waive the commission — meaningfully cutting the total bill.
Whether representation is required in Nevada
Nevada does not require an estate to be represented by counsel in every proceeding; the court’s self-help materials set out where a personal representative may file without an attorney. Full probate carries formal filing requirements and statutory deadlines, and estates qualifying for a small-estate or summary procedure follow a shorter track with lower filing costs. Legal document preparers operate in some states at a flat fee, subject to state rules on unauthorised practice.
What the record shows
Probate cost in Nevada is the sum of separately-set components: statutory or court-approved attorney fees, executor commissions, court filing fees, and appraisal costs. Each is documented above with its citation.
Assets that pass outside probate — by beneficiary designation, joint ownership with survivorship, transfer-on-death instrument, or a funded living trust — are not part of the estate these fees are calculated on. Nevada’s small-estate threshold, above, determines which estates can use the simplified procedure.
Frequently asked questions about probate cost in Nevada
How much does probate cost in Nevada?
Nevada lets the attorney and the executor each take a statutory percentage of the estate — 4% of the first $100,000 scaling down for the attorney (NRS 150.060) and 4% of the first $15,000 scaling down for the executor (NRS 150.020) — so a $500,000 estate runs roughly $24,000 in combined statutory fees, plus a few hundred dollars in court costs.
What is the small-estate limit in Nevada?
An estate of $100,000 or less with a surviving spouse or minor children can be set aside without administration under NRS §146.070. A separate affidavit collects personal property up to $25,000 (or up to $100,000 if the affiant is the surviving spouse) under NRS §146.080.
Who pays the probate costs in Nevada?
The estate does. Attorney fees, the executor’s commission, court filing fees, and any appraisal costs are all paid out of the estate’s assets before anything is distributed to the beneficiaries — so in practice the heirs bear the cost through a smaller inheritance rather than paying out of pocket.
Can you avoid probate costs in Nevada?
Often, yes. Because Nevada attorney and executor fees are percentage-based and stack, avoiding probate saves real money on larger estates. Nevada is a community-property state with no state estate or inheritance tax, so a funded living trust plus a deed upon death on the home and community-property-with-right-of-survivorship titling keep most assets out of probate.
How long does probate take in Nevada?
About 6 to 12 months for a routine case; the 90-day creditor period sets the floor, and set-aside or summary administration can be faster. For the full breakdown of what speeds it up or slows it down, see How Long Does Probate Take in Nevada?.
Related reading
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What Is Probate and How Does It Work? — the full plain-English explanation of how probate works in the US.
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How to Avoid Probate in Nevada — the state-specific avoidance playbook.
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Executor Deadlines in Nevada — the statutory dates the executor works to, quoted from Nev. Rev. Stat. §147.040.
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How Long Does Probate Take in Nevada? — the companion timeline guide for Nevada.
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Will vs. Trust: How They Differ — the documented differences between the two instruments.
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Estate Planning Checklist: Everything in One Place — the documents and decisions that make probate easier (or unnecessary).
This page explains Nevada probate costs in general terms as of 2026. It is not legal advice, and fee schedules, thresholds, and court costs change and depend on your specific situation. Confirm current figures with the Nevada courts or a licensed Nevada attorney. Sources: NRS §150.020, NRS §150.060, NRS §146.070, NRS §146.080, NRS §147.040, NRS §111.655 et seq. (deed upon death).