What a small estate affidavit costs, item by item
The affidavit itself costs nothing: every state publishes the form. The money goes to filing fees in court states, notary fees, and certified death certificates. Anything beyond that is a service, not a government charge.
| The form | $0 — published by the court or legislature. |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | $0 in holder states (CA, IL, AZ, WA, MI, CO, IN). $1 New York. ≈ $75 Missouri. ≈ $231 Florida. ≈ $290–$400 Texas. |
| Notary | $10–$15 per signature; $0 at many banks and credit unions for customers. |
| Certified death certificates | $10–$25 each; budget for 5. |
| Bond and publication | Missouri over $15,000 without a will: bond premium ≈ $100–$300, newspaper notice ≈ $50–$150. |
| Document preparer | $300–$500 (Arizona legal document preparers, California LDAs). |
| Attorney | $500–$1,500 to prepare an affidavit; $3,000+ for probate. |
Typical totals
Holder state, no complications: $60–$130 (death certificates plus notary). Court state: $100–$500. Add a document preparer and you're at $400–$900; add a lawyer and you've spent what the affidavit exists to avoid.
Where the $49 packet sits
Below a document preparer, above doing it from the statute alone: your county's form completed from your answers, the filing or presentation instructions for that county, the affidavit versions the four largest banks use, and a dated plan. It doesn't replace a lawyer where one is needed — the checker tells you when that is.
Common questions
Is a small estate affidavit free?
The form is. Filing fees apply in court states (Texas, Florida, Missouri, New York); holder states charge nothing. Notary and death certificates are the only universal costs.
How much does a lawyer charge for a small estate affidavit?
Usually $500–$1,500 flat. It's rarely necessary; the state form is designed to be completed by the heir.
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