How Much Does It Cost To Reopen An Estate?
Reopening an estate sounds like a big, intimidating legal move, but most of the time it’s pretty straightforward.
It usually happens because something small was missed the first time around.
A forgotten bank account shows up years later. A check gets mailed in the deceased person’s name. A property sale falls through and needs court approval again.
Suddenly, the estate that everyone thought was done needs to be reopened, and the first thing people ask is how much this is going to cost.
In this post, we’ll break down how much it costs to reopen an estate.
Average Cost To Reopen An Estate
In most cases, reopening an estate costs somewhere between $300 – $5000.
A very simple reopening, like distributing a small forgotten asset, can land closer to the low end. More involved cases (ones with disagreements or legal complications) usually land higher.
Generally, many people end up paying $300 to $1,000 total when everything goes smoothly and no one is fighting. When lawyers need to spend more time, costs often rise into the $2,000 to $5,000 range.
Extreme cases can go beyond that, but those are far less common and usually involve disputes or large estates.
The biggest reason costs vary so much is that no two estates are exactly alike.
Also Read: How Much Does Estate Planning Cost?
Let us breakdown the costs:
#1 Attorney Fees And Legal Costs
Attorney fees are where most of the money goes. How much you pay depends on how complicated the reopening is and how your lawyer charges.
Some attorneys offer flat fees for simple reopenings.
These often range from $500 to $1,500 and work well when the task is limited and clearly defined. If all you need is court permission to distribute a newly discovered asset, a flat fee keeps things predictable.
Other lawyers charge hourly, which is more common when the situation has moving parts.
Hourly rates often fall between $200 and $400 per hour. If the lawyer only needs a few hours, the bill stays reasonable. If the case drags on, costs grow quickly.
Legal costs tend to increase when:
- Heirs disagree or challenge how assets are handled
- Creditors suddenly appear with claims
- Paperwork from the original estate is missing or incomplete
- The estate involves property, businesses, or tax issues
Simple cases move fast. Complicated ones take time, and time is what drives legal bills.
Also Read: How Much Does A Probate Attorney Cost
#2 Court Filing Fees
Every estate reopening starts with paperwork filed in probate court, and courts charge fees for that. These fees are usually the smallest part of the total cost, but they’re unavoidable.
Most courts charge $50 to $400 to reopen an estate.
Some states are on the lower end, while others stack on additional administrative charges.
If the court requires updated documents, certified copies, or additional filings, those can add a bit more, though they’re rarely deal-breakers.
Court fees tend to be predictable. You’ll usually know them upfront, and they don’t change based on how much work the lawyer does.
Compared to legal fees, they’re fairly minor, but they still need to be paid before anything moves forward.
#3 Other Possible Expenses
Beyond court and attorney fees, there are sometimes extra costs tied to reopening an estate. Not every estate has these, but it helps to know they exist so nothing catches you off guard.
You might see expenses like:
- Certified copies of court documents
- Publication or notice fees required by the court
- Appraisals for property, jewelry, or collectibles
- Accounting or tax preparation if new assets trigger filings
These costs vary widely. Some estates won’t have any of them. Others might need several, especially if the reopened estate includes real estate or valuable personal property that needs updated valuations.
Also Read: How Much Does It Cost For A Living Trust?
Who Pays The Cost To Reopen An Estate?
This is a question people worry about, and the answer is often a relief.
In many cases, the estate itself pays the cost of reopening. That includes court fees, attorney fees, and other approved expenses, as long as there are funds or assets available.
If the estate still has money, the costs are usually paid before assets are distributed to heirs.
That means beneficiaries typically share the cost indirectly, rather than one person footing the bill alone.
If the estate has no remaining assets, the person asking the court to reopen it may need to pay upfront. Sometimes those costs can be reimbursed later if new assets are recovered, but that depends on the situation and court approval.
This is one reason it’s smart to weigh the cost against what you expect to recover.
Spending thousands of dollars to reopen an estate for a very small asset usually doesn’t make financial sense.
What Factors Affect The Total Cost To Reopen An Estate?
Several factors push the final number up or down, and most of them are outside your control.
The reason for reopening is the biggest one.
Handling a forgotten bank account is quick and relatively inexpensive. Resolving disputes or correcting mistakes from the original probate takes more work and more money..
The size and complexity of the estate plays a role too.
Larger estates often involve more paperwork, more review, and sometimes more scrutiny from the court.
State law and local court rules also matter. Some states make reopening an estate very easy. Others require more steps, more notices, and more filings, all of which increase costs
Finally, how organized the original estate was can make a big difference. When documents are easy to find and everything is clearly documented, lawyers spend less time digging. Less time usually means lower fees.
Bottom Line
It costs around $300 – $5000 to reopen an estate with court fees staying modest and legal costs driving most of the total.
The smartest move is understanding why the estate needs to be reopened and what assets are involved. That clarity helps set realistic expectations and prevents spending more than the estate is worth.
If the situation is straightforward, reopening an estate can be quick, manageable, and worth it. When things get complicated, costs rise.
FAQs
Do You Need A Lawyer To Reopen An Estate?
Not always. A lawyer is not strictly required when the reopening is simple, like handling a small forgotten asset and there are no disputes.
That said, many people still choose to use a lawyer because probate courts have specific rules, and even small mistakes can slow things down.
How Long Does It Take To Reopen An Estate?
Most reopened estates take a few weeks to a few months to resolve. Simple cases can move quickly, sometimes within 2 to 4 weeks, especially if the court’s schedule is light and the paperwork is complete.