How Much Does Probate Cost in Lancaster County, Nebraska?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Lancaster County can expect.
What probate costs in Lancaster County, Nebraska comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the County Court at 575 S. 10th Street, Lincoln. The court is part of the 3.
Probate matters are handled through the Civil/Probate Division. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Nebraska charges $22 - $1,500 (based on estate value)Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125Verified Jun 1, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The County Court accepts e-filing (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/e-services/efiling). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Nebraska are negotiated, typically 2%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Jun 1, 2026 to 4%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Jun 1, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 1, 2026 to 4%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 1, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Nebraska requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2446Verified Jun 1, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Nebraska typically runs 6 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480Verified Jun 1, 2026 to 12 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480Verified Jun 1, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485Verified Jun 1, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2446
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125
Data sourced from Nebraska statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Lancaster County, that means filing fees (about $500 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs about $500 in Lancaster County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Nebraska uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Nebraska allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Nebraska estates under $100,000 can use a Small Estate Affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Nebraska self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Lancaster County probate.
County Court
Lancaster County
575 S. 10th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone:
402-441-7291Fax:
402-441-6056
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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