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Estate, Settlements & Civil Law

Calculate estate tax, probate costs, injury settlements, and statute of limitations

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Tools in This Collection

Estate and Civil Law Estimation Tools

Important: These calculators provide general estimates for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your jurisdiction and circumstances. Results are estimates based on general formulas — actual legal outcomes depend on court decisions, jurisdictional rules, and specific facts.

Estate Tax and Probate Costs

The Estate Tax Calculator estimates federal estate tax exposure. The federal estate tax exemption is $13.61 million (2026) — estates below this threshold owe no federal estate tax. Above this amount, the tax rate is 40% on the excess. State estate taxes vary and can kick in at lower thresholds. The Probate Cost Calculator estimates court fees and attorney costs for probating an estate — typically 3-7% of estate value. A $500,000 estate may incur $15,000-$35,000 in probate costs, a strong argument for trusts and beneficiary designations.

Personal Injury Settlements

The Injury Settlement Calculator estimates settlement ranges using the general damages multiplier method: total special damages (medical bills + lost wages), then multiply by 1.5-5x based on injury severity and liability clarity. A slip-and-fall with $20,000 in medical bills and clear liability might settle for $30,000-$60,000. The Structured Settlement Calculator calculates the present value of a structured payment stream if you're considering selling future payments.

Small Claims and Statute of Limitations

The Small Claims Calculator shows your state's dollar limit — these range from $2,500 in some states to $25,000 in California. The Statute of Limitations Calculator estimates filing deadlines by state and claim type: personal injury is typically 2-3 years, breach of contract 3-6 years, property damage 2-4 years. Missing this deadline bars your claim entirely. The Noise Ordinance Reference provides decibel limits and quiet hours for common jurisdiction types.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026 federal estate tax exemption?

The federal estate tax exemption is $13.61 million per person in 2026, or $27.22 million for married couples using portability. Estates below this threshold owe no federal estate tax. The exemption is indexed for inflation. Note that some states have lower thresholds and separate state estate taxes — the Estate Tax Calculator accounts for both.

How much does probate typically cost?

Probate costs typically range from 3-7% of the gross estate value, depending on the state and estate complexity. A $400,000 estate might incur $12,000-$28,000 in court fees, executor fees, and attorney fees. These costs are a primary reason estate planning attorneys recommend revocable living trusts and beneficiary designations — they avoid probate entirely for the assets they cover.

How is a personal injury settlement calculated?

The general damages multiplier method totals your special damages (medical bills + lost wages + future medical costs), then multiplies by 1.5-5 based on injury severity, impact on daily life, and liability clarity. High multipliers apply to severe, permanent injuries with clear fault. Lower multipliers apply to soft-tissue injuries with shared fault. The Injury Settlement Calculator provides a range based on these factors.

What happens if I miss the statute of limitations deadline?

Missing the statute of limitations deadline typically results in your claim being barred entirely — the defendant can raise it as a defense and the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits. The deadline is strict with very limited exceptions (discovery rule for hidden injuries, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment by the defendant). Always consult an attorney well before your suspected deadline.