Calabasas  Estate Planning Attorney

Calabasas, an affluent enclave in the Santa Monica Mountains northwest of the San Fernando Valley, boasts gated communities, celebrity residents, and luxury estates amid hiking trails and natural beauty. With a population of around 23,000, median age of 44, and high median household incomes over $136,000, it's a haven for professionals in tech, entertainment, and finance—many owning multimillion-dollar homes that make probate a financial nightmare.

Calabasas Housing Snapshot

Median home prices hover around $1.65 million as of early 2026, down slightly from peaks due to market softening, but still reflecting the area's exclusivity with sprawling properties in neighborhoods like The Estates or Calabasas Hills. These estates often include the bulk of probate assets: think 4-5 bedroom homes with pools, views, and values pushing probate fees into tens of thousands—eating into inheritances before heirs see a dime.

California's Tiered Probate Fees Explained

Under California Probate Code §10810, both the probate attorney and executor receive identical statutory fees based on the gross estate value (no subtracting mortgages or debts). Fees scale in tiers—double them for total statutory costs alone. Other expenses like court filings (~$435+), appraisals (0.1%), bonds, and referee fees add 1-2% more.

These are minimums; "extraordinary" fees for selling property or disputes can double them.

Total Probate Fees for Calabasas Median Home ($1.65M Estate)

Assuming the home is the primary probate asset (common in Calabasas, where real estate dominates estates):

• First $100k: 4% = $4,000 (attorney) + $4,000 (executor) = $8,000

• Next $100k: 3% = $3,000 + $3,000 = $6,000

• Next $800k (to $1M): 2% = $16,000 + $16,000 = $32,000

• Next $650k (to $1.65M): 1% = $6,500 + $6,500 = $13,000

Statutory Total: $59,000 (just attorney + executor).

Add-ons push it higher:

• Probate referee appraisal: 0.1% of $1.65M = $1,650

• Court filings/publication: $1,000–$2,000

• Bond premium: $500–$1,500

• Grand Total: ~$62,000–$65,000 (4% of estate value).

For a $1.4M median sale price (per Redfin Jan 2026), fees drop to ~$50,000 statutory + add-ons = $52k–$55k.

Why Calabasas Families Get Hit Hardest

In celebrity-adjacent Calabasas—home to trails like those in Malibu Creek State Park, upscale Commons shopping, and a 76% White, 9% Asian demographic with 22% under 18—estates often exceed $2M with multiple properties or investments. Probate drags 12–18 months, ties up homes during peak selling seasons (March+), and publicizes private family matters. Heirs lose big: $60k+ vanished, plus opportunity costs on illiquid assets amid softening markets (down 7–14% YoY).

Avoid This with Estate Planning

A revocable living trust bypasses probate entirely—no statutory fees, privacy, and control over your Calabasas legacy. Contact a local attorney like Robert K. Lee for a plan tailored to high-value Valley estates.