How much does an eviction cost in California? (2026)
Attorney fee $1,500 flat, plus court costs itemized by county below. Updated 2026-08-05 · Court: Superior Court
The two parts of the bill
1. Attorney fee: $1,500, flat and in writing before any charge. Covers notice review, preparing and filing the case, and a licensed attorney handling an uncontested California eviction from filing through judgment.
2. Court and service costs, passed through at cost. Filing fees are set by each county court; writ and lockout fees apply only if the tenant does not move after judgment. We itemize the exact numbers for your county before you pay, and we do not mark them up.
Court costs by county
| County | Filing fee | Writ of possession | Sheriff lockout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside County | $270 | $40 | $180 |
| San Bernardino County | $240 | $40 | $180 |
| Sacramento County | $240 | $40 | $180 |
| Orange County | $240 | $40 | $180 |
Court fees are set by the courts and change without notice; amounts shown were last reviewed 2026-08-05 and are confirmed against the court's current schedule when your case is filed. County not listed? We quote the exact fee before you pay.
How long it takes
Typical uncontested case in California: 45–75 days. Contested cases take longer. Courts control the calendar, so treat these timelines as typical ranges, not commitments. Governing law: Code Civ. Proc. § 1161 et seq.; § 1167 (AB 2347); Civ. Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482).
Estimate your total
Pick your county and number of defendants to see the whole number: attorney fee plus your county's court costs.
Your exact price, before you give us a name
| Attorney fee — flat | $1,000 |
| Harris County court costs | $324 |
| Estimated total — costs itemized and passed through at cost | $1,324 |
Court charges are set by the court and verified at attorney review; if your county's actual costs differ, you pay the actual, never more than quoted without your OK.
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