NC Probate Filing Fees by County: Complete 2026 Guide

What You’ll Actually Pay to Open Probate in North Carolina

When a loved one passes away and you’re named executor, one of the first tasks is opening an estate with the Clerk of Superior Court. That process comes with filing fees, and knowing what to expect before you walk through that courthouse door can save you from an unpleasant surprise.

The good news: NC probate filing fees are set by state statute, so they don’t vary wildly from county to county the way some costs do. The fees you’ll pay in Wake County are largely the same as what you’d pay in Mecklenburg or Guilford. What does vary is the estate’s value, because most fees are calculated as a percentage of the estate’s personal property.

This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay, county by county, and covers the additional costs that come alongside the base filing fee.

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How NC Probate Fees Are Calculated

North Carolina General Statute 7A-307 governs probate filing fees. The Clerk of Superior Court charges fees based on the value of personal property in the estate. Real property (land and buildings) passes outside probate when titled correctly, so it typically doesn’t factor into the fee calculation.

The current fee schedule under NCGS 7A-307:

Estate Personal Property Value	Filing Fee
$0 to $10,000	$120
$10,001 to $40,000	$120 + $4 per $1,000 over $10,000
$40,001 to $100,000	$240 + $5 per $1,000 over $40,000
$100,001 to $200,000	$540 + $6 per $1,000 over $100,000
Over $200,000	$1,140 + $6 per $1,000 over $200,000 (capped at $6,000 total)

So for an estate with $150,000 in personal property, you’d pay $540 + ($50,000 x $0.006) = $540 + $300 = $840.

The maximum filing fee is $6,000, which applies to estates over approximately $1.08 million in personal property.

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Filing Fees in Major NC Counties

Because fees are set by state statute, the base calculation is the same everywhere. What differs slightly is the local process, additional administrative fees, and how quickly the Clerk’s office processes filings.

Wake County (Raleigh)

Wake County Clerk of Superior Court handles one of the highest probate volumes in the state. Fees follow the state schedule exactly.

• Base filing fee: Per the NCGS 7A-307 schedule above
• Certified copy fee: $3 per page (plus $3 certification fee)
• Annual account filing: $30 per account
• Address: Wake County Justice Center, 316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh

Wake County offers some online services and has a dedicated estate section that handles high volumes efficiently.

Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)

• Base filing fee: Per state schedule
• Certified copy fee: $3 per page plus $3 certification
• Annual account filing: $30
• Address: 832 E. 4th Street, Charlotte

Mecklenburg processes a large volume of probate cases and has staff experienced with complex estates. Appointments are recommended.

Guilford County (Greensboro/High Point)

• Base filing fee: Per state schedule
• Certified copies: $3 per page plus $3 certification
• Annual account: $30
• Addresses: Greensboro courthouse (324 W. Market Street) or High Point courthouse (505 E. Green Drive)

Guilford has two courthouses serving its split county seat, so verify which location handles your matter.

Durham County

• Base filing fee: Per state schedule
• Certified copies: $3 per page plus $3 certification
• Address: Durham County Judicial Building, 201 E. Main Street

Durham’s Clerk office is known for being accessible and helpful for first-time executors navigating the process.

Forsyth County (Winston-Salem)

• Base filing fee: Per state schedule
• Certified copies: $3 per page plus $3 certification
• Address: Hall of Justice, 200 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem

Buncombe County (Asheville)

• Base filing fee: Per state schedule
• Certified copies: $3 per page plus $3 certification
• Address: Buncombe County Courthouse, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville

Buncombe sees a higher-than-average number of out-of-state heirs, particularly with retirees who relocate to the mountains.

Cumberland County (Fayetteville)

• Base filing fee: Per state schedule
• Certified copies: $3 per page plus $3 certification
• Address: Cumberland County Courthouse, 117 Dick Street, Fayetteville

Union County (Monroe)

• Base filing fee: Per state schedule
• Address: Union County Courthouse, 400 N. Main Street, Monroe

New Hanover County (Wilmington)

• Base filing fee: Per state schedule
• Address: New Hanover County Courthouse, 316 Princess Street, Wilmington

Coastal counties sometimes see estates with vacation properties and boats, which can complicate the inventory even though real estate itself isn’t included in fee calculations.

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Additional Costs Beyond the Base Filing Fee

The filing fee is just the start. Here’s what most executors also pay during probate in NC:

Certified Copies of Letters Testamentary

Banks, financial institutions, and real estate offices require certified copies of your Letters Testamentary (or Letters of Administration) before they’ll release assets or allow you to conduct business on behalf of the estate. Each certified copy costs approximately $6 (the $3 per-page fee plus $3 certification).

Most executors need 6 to 12 certified copies. Budget $40 to $75 for this.

Publication of Notice to Creditors

NC law requires executors to publish a Notice to Creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the estate is filed. This gives creditors the opportunity to submit claims. Costs vary by county and publication:

• Small-county papers: $50 to $100
• Large-metro papers (Raleigh News & Observer, Charlotte Observer): $150 to $300 or more

Bond Premiums (When Required)

If the will doesn’t waive the bond requirement, or if the estate is intestate (no will), the Clerk may require a surety bond. Bond premiums typically run 0.5% to 1% of the estate value annually. For a $200,000 estate, that’s $1,000 to $2,000 per year of administration. See our detailed guide on NC probate bond requirements for more.

Annual Account Filing Fees

If the estate remains open for more than one year, you’ll file annual accounts with the Clerk. Each account costs approximately $30.

Final Settlement/Closing Fee

When you close the estate, there may be a small administrative fee for the final settlement filing, typically in the $10 to $30 range.

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Estimating Your Total Filing Costs

Here’s a realistic budget example for a straightforward NC estate with $120,000 in personal property:

Cost Item	Estimated Amount
Base filing fee	$660
Certified copies (8 copies)	$48
Newspaper publication	$150
Bond premium (if required, 1 year)	$1,200
Annual account (if open 1+ years)	$30
Final settlement filing	$20
Total	$2,108

Without a bond requirement, that same estate would cost roughly $900 to open and administer through Clerk fees alone.

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How Afterpath Helps You Track and Anticipate Costs

Probate costs have a way of piling up in ways nobody warns you about. Afterpath’s NC compliance engine tracks every required step in the estate process, including filings with the Clerk of Superior Court, and surfaces the associated costs so you’re never caught off guard.

The platform’s task management system generates a personalized checklist based on your specific estate, flagging deadlines for publication, annual accounts, and other cost-generating milestones. Pathfinder, Afterpath’s AI guide, can answer questions like “Do I need a bond?” or “How many certified copies should I request?” in plain language, without requiring you to dig through statutes yourself.

All cost-related documents, receipts, and communications can be stored in Afterpath’s document vault, making it easy to prepare accurate accounting records when you file your annual account with the Clerk.

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When Fees Can Be Reduced or Waived

A few situations allow for reduced probate complexity and lower costs:

Small Estate Affidavit: Estates with personal property under $20,000 (or $60,000 if the surviving spouse is the sole heir) may qualify for the small estate affidavit process, which avoids formal probate altogether. See our guide on the NC small estate affidavit process.

Summary Administration: Some estates qualify for a simplified process through the Clerk that reduces administrative burden.

No-Bond Wills: If the decedent’s will explicitly waives the bond requirement and names a NC resident as executor, you can avoid that significant cost.

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FAQ: NC Probate Filing Fees

Q: Are probate filing fees negotiable? No. Fees set by NCGS 7A-307 are fixed and non-negotiable. Every county charges the same rate.

Q: Can I pay the filing fee with a credit card? Most Clerk offices accept cash, check, and credit cards, though policies vary. Call ahead to your specific county courthouse.

Q: Do I pay the filing fee upfront? Yes. The filing fee is due when you file the application to open the estate.

Q: What if I underestimate the estate value? You can amend your initial inventory and pay any additional fees at that time. The Clerk’s office will work with you on this.

Q: Does Afterpath help me figure out what to file and when? Yes. Afterpath’s NC compliance engine tracks statutory deadlines and required filings, so you know exactly what paperwork is due and when. Pathfinder AI can walk you through the process step by step.

Q: What happens if I can’t afford the filing fee? If you’re filing on behalf of a very low-value estate, speak with the Clerk about your options. In some cases, fees may be deferred or the small estate affidavit process may be more appropriate.

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Getting Started

The filing fee is the price of admission to the NC probate process, but it’s far from the only cost you’ll face. Knowing the full picture before you begin helps you plan, budget, and serve the estate well.

For a complete breakdown of what probate costs in North Carolina, see our guide on how much probate costs and our overview of how to save on NC probate costs.

If you’re an executor looking for a smarter way to manage the process, Afterpath was built for exactly this situation. Join the waitlist at /waitlist/ and let Pathfinder guide you through every step, including the ones that come with a price tag.