The Estate Planning Guide Est. 2026

North Carolina Probate Fee Sheet (Printable)

By The Estate Planning Guide Editorial Team Researched against primary sources

Published August 15, 2026 5 min read

Quick answer

Probate in North Carolina typically costs 3% to 7% of the gross estate. Unlike most states, NC charges a court cost of 0.4% of the estate's value (capped at $6,000) under N.C.G.S. §7A-307, on top of attorney fees (usually hourly at $200–$450, or 2–4% of the estate) and executor commissions of up to 5% of receipts and disbursements. A routine estate generally takes 6 to 12 months to administer.

⚠️ Educational information only — not legal, tax, or financial advice.

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 North Carolina with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.

This page is built to print. Use your browser's Print command and choose "Save as PDF" for a one-page North Carolina reference. Every figure below is compiled from the statutes and state authorities listed at the bottom — the same sources cited on our North Carolina probate pages.

North Carolina probate fees

Item North Carolina
Court filing fee Under N.C.G.S. §7A-307, the clerk collects $120 to open the estate plus $0.40 per $100 (0.4%) of the gross estate for support of the General Court of Justice, capped at $6,000 maximum. Additional flat fees apply for specific filings (e.g., $20 for probate without qualification, certified copies, etc.).
Attorney fees North Carolina follows a 'reasonable fee' standard — there is no statutory schedule. Most probate attorneys bill hourly ($200–$450/hr, higher in metro markets), though flat fees and percentage arrangements (commonly 2–4% of the estate) are also used. Fee petitions are reviewed by the Clerk of Superior Court for reasonableness.
Executor / personal representative fees Under N.C.G.S. §28A-23-3, personal representatives are entitled to commissions fixed in the discretion of the Clerk of Superior Court, not to exceed 5% of receipts (including the value of personal property received) and disbursements made. The clerk considers time, responsibility, trouble, and skill, and may take into account fees already paid to attorneys and accountants.
Fee basis discretionary (capped)
Appraisal / referee North Carolina does not use a state-appointed probate referee. The personal representative is responsible for valuing assets in the 90-day inventory (Form AOC-E-505), using fair market value as of the date of death; professional appraisals may be obtained at the executor's discretion for real estate or unique personal property.

Worked example

On a $500,000 North Carolina estate, the executor's commission is capped at about $25,000 (5% of receipts and disbursements), but the Clerk of Superior Court approves the actual figure based on the work involved — often well below the cap.

North Carolina thresholds and deadlines

Item North Carolina
Small-estate threshold Under N.C.G.S. §28A-25-1, collection of personal property by affidavit is available when the decedent's personal property (less liens) does not exceed $20,000. The threshold rises to $30,000 if the affiant is the surviving spouse and sole heir (after reduction for any spousal allowance). The affidavit may be filed 30 days after death.
Creditor claim period 90 days from first publication of notice to creditors, under N.C.G.S. §28A-14-1. The inventory is also due within 90 days of qualification.
Typical duration Routine, uncontested probate in North Carolina generally takes 6 to 12 months. The 90-day creditor claim window must run, the inventory is due within 90 days of qualification, and the final account is generally due within one year of qualification. Estates with real estate, contested claims, or tax issues often extend beyond a year.
Simplified real-property transfer Under N.C.G.S. §28A-28-1, summary administration is available when the surviving spouse is the sole devisee or sole heir (with no dollar cap). After the clerk's order, the spouse may convey, lease, sell, or mortgage real property inherited from the decedent, but remains personally liable for the decedent's debts up to the value of the inherited property.
Transfer-on-death deed North Carolina does NOT have a statutory transfer-on-death deed for real estate. NC residents who want to pass real estate outside probate typically use a revocable living trust, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, or summary administration (when the surviving spouse is the sole heir).
Note on the creditor-claim clock. The period above does not start on the same event in every state — depending on the statute it can run from the date of death, from the date letters are issued to the personal representative, or from first publication of notice. The North Carolina trigger is stated in the row above, as written in the statute.

What passes outside North Carolina probate

These transfers are not part of the estate the fees above are calculated on:

  • Beneficiary designations — retirement accounts, life insurance, payable-on-death accounts.
  • Joint ownership with right of survivorship.
  • Transfer-on-death deed — North Carolina does NOT have a statutory transfer-on-death deed for real estate. NC residents who want to pass real estate outside probate typically use a revocable living trust, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, or summary administration (when the surviving spouse is the sole heir).
  • Assets titled into a funded living trust.

Sources for this sheet

Compiled August 15, 2026 from the sources listed above. Fee schedules, thresholds, and court costs are amended by legislatures and courts — confirm each figure against the cited statute or the North Carolina court before relying on it.

The full North Carolina guides

Fee sheets for other states

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This sheet sets out North Carolina probate figures as published at the time of compilation. It is not legal advice. Figures and statutes change and their application depends on the specific estate. Confirm current figures with the North Carolina courts or a licensed North Carolina attorney.

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