Quick answer: Utah does not set probate attorney fees by a statutory percentage. They're a reasonable amount under Utah Code 75-3-718, and if the fee is requested and nobody objects, the requested amount is deemed reasonable. In practice, a routine informal probate is often a flat $3,500–$6,000, or a percentage of roughly 2–3.5%. Estimate the whole picture in the Utah probate cost calculator.
The reasonable-fee standard
Utah Code § 75-3-718: the personal representative and attorney are entitled to reasonable compensation. If the fee is sought in a petition and no interested person objects, reasonable compensation is the amount requested — no independent court review. If someone objects, the court weighs the quality, quantity and value of the services and the practice of comparable fiduciaries.
How Utah probate lawyers bill
- Flat fee — commonly $3,500–$6,000 for a routine informal probate; more for formal or contested matters ($6,000–$15,000+).
- Hourly — typically $250–$400/hour for complex work.
- Percentage — some firms quote ~2–3.5% of the estate as a starting point, still subject to the reasonable-fee standard.
Separate from the executor fee: the attorney fee is distinct from any personal-representative compensation (also reasonable under 75-3-718). An estate can pay both, though family executors often waive theirs.
Illustrative attorney fees
| Estate value | Flat (typical informal) | At ~3% |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $3,500 – $6,000 | ≈ $6,000 |
| $500,000 | $4,000 – $6,000 | ≈ $15,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $5,000 – $8,000+ | ≈ $30,000 |
Illustrative only — Utah has no statutory rate. For a simple estate a flat fee is usually far cheaper than a percentage; always get a written fee agreement.
Facing probate in Utah?
Talk to an Utah attorneyA local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Do you charge a flat fee, hourly, or a percentage — and what's your estimate for an estate like mine?
- Is your fee separate from the executor fee? (Usually yes.)
- Can this estate use the $100,000 small estate affidavit and skip probate entirely?
- Will informal probate work, or does anything require a formal hearing?
Ways to reduce legal fees
- Small estate affidavit — personal property up to $100,000, no court and usually no attorney.
- Flat fee for a simple, uncontested informal probate.
- Stay organized — a clean inventory cuts billable hours.