Probate in Nebraska runs about $25,018Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source on a $500,000 estate: attorney fees of typically 1.7%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate, plus the court filing fee, executor compensation, publication and any surety bond. The Nebraska probate calculator estimates the cost by estate value.
Nebraska allows independent administrationNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2440Verified Sep 8, 2026View source (unsupervised or informal probate), under which the executor handles most decisions without ongoing court approval. The executor still files the will, inventories the assets and reports to the court, but needs no hearing for a routine step such as paying a bill or selling an asset. It typically saves both time and attorney fees against supervised probate.
Estate planning attorneys in Nebraska average $308Clio Compare Lawyer Rates, Nebraska: Wills and Estates rate (2025 data)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source an hour for wills and estates work. A flat-fee package runs $924Estimate: 3 hours at $308, Clio's Nebraska Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,848Estimate: 6 hours at $308, Clio's Nebraska Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for a simple individual will and $3,190Estimate: 10 hours at $319, Clio's Nebraska Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $4,785Estimate: 15 hours at $319, Clio's Nebraska Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for a basic revocable trust. An online service prices the same documents in the tens to low hundreds of dollars; the Nebraska will cost calculator sets the two side by side.
In Nebraska, estates with personal property of $100,000Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death. That route is a form rather than a court case, and most families handle it without an attorney. Above the line, formal probate generally benefits from counsel for the procedural work, even when nothing is contested. The Nebraska probate calculator estimates the cost by estate value.
In Nebraska, the situations where counsel is typically worth the cost are: a blended family with children from a prior relationship; a business, rental property or significant investment assets; a dependent with special needs, who needs a special-needs trust to keep benefits; meaningful sums left to a beneficiary who is not a spouse or child (Nebraska taxes those inheritancesNeb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2001 et seq.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source); substantial property in more than one state. Where none of these apply, an online or self-help document is often enough.
Free Nebraska forms for planning an estate or settling one: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed, and the probate forms an executor files.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
In Nebraska, a will is signed before 2Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2327Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2327Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Nebraska: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Nebraska costs an estimated $25,018Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.7%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Settling an estate in Nebraska: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-2467, 30-2468, 30-2469Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-520.01, 30-2483, 30-2485, 30-2486, 30-2487Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Nebraska pays executors reasonable compensationNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
In Nebraska, estates with personal property of $100,000Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
In Nebraska, creditors have 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
Nebraska has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2414Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
53 probate firms in Nebraska, by county and firm type.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
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53 firms
FirmLincoln, NE
Lincoln trusts-and-estates and business firm in Lancaster County, with satellite offices in Omaha and Grand Island. Its attorneys guide fiduciaries through probate and estate administration, and handle guardianships, conservatorships, and Nebraska inheritance tax and federal estate tax planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningConservatorshipand 4 more
FirmElkhorn, NE
Elkhorn estate planning firm in Douglas County whose practice is limited to wills, trusts, and estate administration, serving clients throughout Nebraska and Iowa. Handles both probate in the county court and trust administration through a systematized process, alongside elder law, nursing home planning, and supplemental needs trusts. Offers a free, no-obligation initial appointment.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
Solo PracticeOmaha, NE
Omaha firm in Douglas County led by Jason Bottlinger, whose practice spans personal injury, litigation, and estate planning. For families settling an estate it handles probate with or without a will, including creditor notices, disputed claims, and administering and distributing assets, and takes probate litigation such as disputes between beneficiaries. Licensed in Nebraska, Iowa, and Texas.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationPersonal Injury
FirmLincoln, NE
Lincoln firm in Lancaster County, founded in 1974, practicing personal injury, business law, and estate planning. Assists families with the administration and probate of an estate, and drafts wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawPersonal Injury
FirmChadron, NE
Chadron firm in Dawes County, operating publicly as Chadron Law, founded in 1887 and described on its site as the oldest business in Chadron. Attorneys Amy Patras, Matthew Watson, and Andrew Pope handle estate and trust administration and litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, and wills and trusts.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more
Solo PracticeKearney, NE
Solo practice in Kearney, Buffalo County, where Michael D. Carper has handled estate planning matters for more than 35 years alongside bankruptcy, personal injury, and DUI work. Represents families through Nebraska probate and estate administration, including ancillary probate when a decedent lived out of state but owned property in Nebraska.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBankruptcyPersonal Injury
FirmRalston, NE
Ralston estate planning firm in Douglas County, operating as LifePlan Nebraska; Charles E. Dorwart has practiced in the Omaha metro for over 36 years. Represents executors and trustees through probate and trust administration, including plans other attorneys drafted, and handles guardianship applications. Offers a free 30-minute consultation at home or in the office.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 2 more
FirmScottsbluff, NE
Scottsbluff firm in Scotts Bluff County, established in 1977, with a second office in Chadron, serving Western Nebraska and the Panhandle. Its attorneys handle probate and estate administration, wills, guardianships, Medicaid planning, and tax planning alongside family law, bankruptcy, and personal injury work. All consultations are free.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningGuardianshipand 6 more
FirmYork, NE
York firm founded in 1958, located across the street from the York County Courthouse. Attorneys Steven and Elizabeth Fillman handle probate, wills, and trusts alongside real estate, business law, family law, and personal injury cases.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawFamily Lawand 2 more
FirmFremont, NE
Fremont firm in Dodge County led by attorneys Leta Fornoff and Melissa Schutt, serving Dodge, Washington, Burt, Cuming, Platte, Colfax, Butler, and Saunders counties. Its estates and trusts practice covers probate, wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, alongside family law, criminal defense, personal injury, and bankruptcy work.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBankruptcyFamily LawPersonal Injury
FirmO'Neill, NE
O'Neill firm in Holt County with further offices in Norfolk (Madison County) and Laurel (Cedar County). Assists families with probate and trust administration after a death, including complex estates and Nebraska inheritance tax and federal estate tax matters, and handles guardianships and conservatorships within its family law practice.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 4 more
FirmWest Point, NE
West Point firm that has served Cuming County since 1991. Handles probates and estates for families settling an estate, alongside wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Attorneys Daniel P. Bracht and Wendy J. Ridder also practice business, agricultural, family, and real estate law.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 3 more
FirmNebraska City, NE
Southeast Nebraska firm formed in 1997, with offices in Nebraska City, Auburn, and Humboldt covering Otoe, Nemaha, and Richardson Counties. Offers probate representation alongside wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Attorney Kelly J. Werts practices in wills, estate planning, and tax planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningConservatorshipand 4 more
Solo PracticeMcCook, NE
McCook law office in Red Willow County serving clients throughout Southwest Nebraska. Handles estate administration and estate litigation alongside will and trust drafting and powers of attorney. Attorney Cody E. Siegfried also practices business, real estate, banking, oil and gas, and agricultural law.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationAgricultural Lawand 2 more
FirmWahoo, NE
Wahoo firm in Saunders County, opened in 1893, with additional offices in David City and Eagle and clients across Eastern Nebraska and the state. Guides personal representatives through probate, from the required notices to distribution of assets, and handles guardianships and conservatorships. Also prepares wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and plans for Medicaid and nursing home care.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipand 4 more
FirmOmaha, NE
Omaha firm founded in 2008 by estate planning attorney Anne Burnett, working before the Douglas and Sarpy County courts from its Arbor Street office and a Gretna office. Handles probate and trust administration, inheritance tax determinations, and estate disputes, with partner DeAna K. Shaffer focused on estate and trust administration. Serves Nebraska and western Iowa.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
FirmScottsbluff, NE
Scottsbluff regional firm in Scotts Bluff County, operating publicly as Panhandle Justice and representing clients throughout Nebraska. Handles probate and the administration of an estate at death, along with will and trust creation. Thomas T. Holyoke, a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and Brendan J. Rice carry the estate work.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawFamily LawReal Estate
FirmNorfolk, NE
Norfolk litigation firm in Madison County with a second office in Omaha, serving clients throughout Nebraska. Handles estate administration and probate alongside wills, revocable, irrevocable, and charitable trusts, and guardianships and conservatorships. Carries cases from inception through appeal, including in the Nebraska Court of Appeals and Nebraska Supreme Court.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 3 more
FirmGering, NE
Gering firm founded in 1946, directly across the street from the Scotts Bluff County Courthouse, with a second office in Kimball near the Kimball County Courthouse. Handles probate, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, guardianships, and conservatorships, with Matthew Turman carrying the estate planning work. Offers a free consultation on estate matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipReal Estate
FirmOmaha, NE
Omaha firm founded in 1898, with a second office in Hastings, representing personal representatives in probate court. Handles probate and trust administration, from inventory and appraisal through death tax returns and distribution, and trust and estate litigation for executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries. Eleven attorneys are listed on its estate planning and probate practice.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more