ARTICLE 2. Compensation of Attorney For the Personal Representative [10810. - 10814.]

Cal. Probate Code - PROB 2.

in effect

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 10810. Section 10810.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this part, for ordinary services the attorney for the personal representative shall receive compensation based on the value of the estate accounted for by the personal representative, as follows: (1) Four percent on the first one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). (2) Three percent on the next one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). (3) Two percent on the next eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000). (4) One percent on the next nine million dollars ($9,000,000). (5) One-half of 1 percent on the next fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000). (6) For all amounts above twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000), a reasonable amount to be determined by the court. (b) For the purposes of this section, the value of the estate accounted for by the personal representative is the total amount of the appraisal of property in the inventory, plus gains over the appraisal value on sales, plus receipts, less losses from the appraisal value on sales, without reference to encumbrances or other obligations on estate property.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 10811. Section 10811.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this part, in addition to the compensation provided by Section 10810, the court may allow additional compensation for extraordinary services by the attorney for the personal representative in an amount the court determines is just and reasonable. (b) Extraordinary services by the attorney for which the court may allow compensation include services by a paralegal performing the extraordinary services under the direction and supervision of an attorney. The petition for compensation shall set forth the hours spent and services performed by the paralegal. (c) An attorney for the personal representative may agree to perform extraordinary service on a contingent fee basis subject to the following conditions: (1) The agreement is written and complies with all the requirements of Section 6147 of the Business and Professions Code. (2) The agreement is approved by the court following a hearing noticed as provided in Section 10812. (3) The court determines that the compensation provided in the agreement is just and reasonable and the agreement is to the advantage of the estate and in the best interests of the persons who are interested in the estate.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 10812. Section 10812.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the decedent’s will makes provision for the compensation of the attorney for the personal representative, the compensation provided by the will shall be the full and only compensation for the services of the attorney for the personal representative. (b) The personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative may petition the court to be relieved from a provision of the will that provides for the compensation of the attorney for the personal representative. (c) Notice of the hearing on the petition shall be given as provided in Section 1220 to all of the following persons: (1) Each person listed in Section 1220. (2) Each known heir whose interest in the estate would be affected by the petition. (3) Each known devisee whose interest in the estate would be affected by the petition. (4) The Attorney General, at the office of the Attorney General in Sacramento, if any portion of the estate is to escheat to the state and its interest in the estate would be affected by the petition. (5) If the court determines that it is to the advantage of the estate and in the best interest of the persons interested in the estate, the court may make an order authorizing compensation of the attorney for the personal representative in an amount greater than provided in the will.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 10813. Section 10813.

An agreement between the personal representative and the attorney for higher compensation for the attorney than that provided by this part is void.

Cal. Probate Code - PROB § 10814. Section 10814.

If there are two or more attorneys for the personal representative, the attorney’s compensation shall be apportioned among the attorneys by the court according to the services actually rendered by each attorney or as agreed to by the attorneys.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026