Affordable Probate Attorney Serving San Francisco Residents
Attorney-prepared court papers for San Francisco probate cases, for a flat fee by estate value: $3,995 up to $1,000,000, $5,995 to $2,000,000, $7,995 above. All court papers prepared for you to sign and file. Optional attorney appearance at a hearing ($500 per hearing, limited scope representation). On a $1,550,000 estate like the example below, the statutory attorney fee is $28,500. Our flat fee is $5,995.
Where San Francisco Probate Cases Are Filed
Civic Center Courthouse
400 McAllister Street, San Francisco 94102
San Francisco County Superior Court
~$435-500
8-12 weeks
5-10 days before hearing
We check the Civic Center Courthouse examiner notes and prepare Verified Supplements that answer them, for you to sign and file before your hearing.
San Francisco Probate Timeline & Statistics
12-16 months
Moderate volume, high scrutiny
SF examiners are among California's most rigorous: meticulous documentation required
Tech equity valuations often require 409A appraisals acceptable to the court
Publication Requirements for San Francisco County
Newspapers: San Francisco Daily Journal, The Recorder, or SF Examiner legal notices
Duration: Three publications, the first at least 15 days before the hearing (Probate Code 8121(a))
You place the notice with the newspaper yourself. Your client home tells you which newspaper to use and gives you the exact notice text and what to ask for, including whether the newspaper files the proof of publication with the court. Costs typically $200-350, paid to the newspaper.
Probate Thresholds & San Francisco Real Estate
With San Francisco's median home price of $1,400,000, most estates will exceed California's simplified probate threshold.
California Probate Thresholds (2025)
- Simplified Probate: Primary residence under $750,000 + personal property under $208,850
- Full Probate: All other estates
San Francisco Estate Example
| San Francisco Home | $1,400,000 |
| Bank Accounts | $50,000 |
| Investments | $100,000 |
| Total Estate | $1,550,000 |
Fee Comparison: Traditional vs MyProbateCA
| Fee Type | Traditional Attorney | MyProbateCA |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney Fee | $28,500 | $5,995 |
| Total Attorney Cost | $28,500 | $5,995 |
Statutory Attorney Fee
$28,500
(Probate Code 10810, on $1,550,000)
Our Flat Fee
$5,995
Full probate, estate $1,000,000 to $2,000,000
Difference
$22,505
78% less than the statutory attorney fee
San Francisco Probate Expertise
San Francisco probate requires navigating one of the nation's strictest court systems with detailed examiner reviews. Estates often include valuable Victorian and Edwardian homes, tech industry stock options, and startup equity requiring complex valuation. The city's rent-controlled properties demand special handling to preserve tenant rights and property value. Court examiners scrutinize filings carefully, making experienced legal guidance essential. Many estates involve properties in neighborhoods from Pacific Heights to the Mission, each with distinct considerations. Our firm provides San Francisco families with the meticulous attention to detail required by local courts while efficiently managing the diverse assets typical of this world-class city.
Our San Francisco service includes:
- Attorney-prepared court papers for you to sign and file as the petitioner
- Inventory papers for the San Francisco County probate referee, who values the property
- Which San Francisco County newspaper to use and the exact notice text; you place it
- We check the Civic Center Courthouse probate notes and prepare the answers before your hearing
- Optional remote court appearance ($500 per hearing, limited scope)
- Dashboard tracking until case closes
Common Estate Types in San Francisco
San Francisco estates commonly involve tech equity compensation, ISOs, NSOs, RSUs, requiring 409A valuations and careful exercise timing analysis. Rent-controlled properties in the city create complex tenant rights considerations during probate sales. Estates here often include cryptocurrency holdings, NFTs, and digital assets requiring specialized custody and transfer procedures. TIC (tenancy in common) ownership structures common in SF multi-unit buildings add complexity. Victorian and Edwardian homes often have title irregularities from 100+ years of transfers requiring careful documentation.
Also Serving Oakland, Daly City, Berkeley
We prepare probate court papers for families throughout San Francisco County, including:
All San Francisco County cases are filed at the same courthouse, so the same filing steps apply across the region.
San Francisco Probate FAQ
Helpful Probate Resources for San Francisco Executors
Probate Fees Explained
How the statutory attorney fee is figured under Probate Code 10810, compared with our flat fee by estate value.
Letters Testamentary: Your Legal Authority
How to use Letters from Civic Center Courthouse to access bank accounts and transfer property.
Probate Referee: Asset Appraisal Process
What to expect when the San Francisco County probate referee values estate assets.
Probate Bond Requirements
When San Francisco County requires a bond and when it can be waived.
California Probate FAQ
50+ common questions about probate answered by Attorney Rozsa Gyene.
Start Your San Francisco Probate Case
Complete the free intake questionnaire in about 30 minutes. We'll recommend simplified probate ($2,495) or full administration ($3,995, $5,995 or $7,995 by estate value) based on your estate.
Rozsa Gyene, Esq.
3500 W. Olive Ave., Suite 300, Burbank, CA 91505
- California State Bar #208356
- 26+ Years Experience
- 500+ Cases