Quick answer: New Hampshire is unusual in how its fee standard is written down: not a statute, but Circuit Court Probate Division Rule 88, requiring both the administrator's fee and the attorney's fee to be reasonable for the work, responsibility, and risk involved — and court-approved. Neither has a fixed percentage. Reported fees often land in a rough 2%–4% market range each, plus a filing fee starting around $150. There's no death tax. Get your own estimate with the New Hampshire probate cost calculator.
1. A court rule, not a statute — the source itself is distinctive
Because neither fee is fixed anywhere, any percentage shown in this guide (including our calculator's ~3% default for each) is an illustrative market-rate estimate. Ask your Probate Division or attorney what's typically approved for a similar estate.
2. Court cost & the tax picture
Illustrative worked totals
At an illustrative ~3% each for the administrator and attorney (market pattern, not a rule-set rate):
| Estate value | Admin. fee (est.) | Attorney (est.) | Filing + pub. | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $205 | ≈ $6,205 |
| $300,000 | $9,000 | $9,000 | $205 | ≈ $18,205 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 | $205 | ≈ $30,205 |
Filing + pub. = $150 filing + $55 publication. Administrator and attorney figures are illustrative only — neither is fixed by rule or statute, and family administrators often waive their fee entirely. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
How to reduce New Hampshire probate costs
- Use Waiver of Administration if a sole beneficiary/heir serves, or all beneficiaries/heirs serve or consent (RSA § 553:32) — drops the inventory, bond, and accounting at any estate size.
- Use Summary Administration once 6 months have passed and everyone consents (RSA § 553:33).
- Administrator waives the fee if a family member and beneficiary.
- Keep the estate at $25,000 or less for a personal bond only, no surety cost (§ 553:13).