Overview
A court bond guarantees performance of an obligation imposed by a court. The category covers judicial bonds (such as appeal or supersedeas bonds that secure a judgment during an appeal, and injunction bonds that protect a party from a wrongly granted order) and probate or fiduciary bonds (posted by an executor, administrator, guardian, or conservator to guarantee faithful handling of an estate or a protected person's assets).
The court order sets the bond amount and names the obligee. Underwriting depends on the bond type: fiduciary bonds review the appointee's credit and the size of the estate, while appeal and injunction bonds may require collateral because they secure a fixed dollar judgment.
It is a surety bond that protects the party the court is safeguarding. A paid claim is reimbursed to the surety under the indemnity agreement.
Who needs this bond
Litigants posting an appeal or supersedeas bond, parties seeking injunctive relief, and fiduciaries appointed as executor, administrator, guardian, or conservator.
Typical amount and term
Bond amount set by the court order. Premium varies: 0.5 to 1 percent for fiduciary bonds, 1 to 3 percent for appeal and injunction bonds.
What this bond costs
Your premium is a small percentage of the bond amount, set by underwriting. The biggest drivers:
- The bond amount set by the court order
- The type of court bond (fiduciary versus appeal or injunction)
- The principal's personal credit and financial statement
- Whether collateral is required for an appeal bond
| Scenario | Bond amount | Estimated premium |
|---|---|---|
| Fiduciary or probate bond | $100,000 bond | around 0.5 to 1 percent per year |
| Injunction bond | $50,000 bond | around 1 to 3 percent per year |
| Appeal or supersedeas bond | set by the judgment | around 1 percent, often with collateral |
Figures are illustrative premium ranges, not quotes or statutory amounts. Your rate depends on the bond amount your obligee requires and your underwriting profile.
What you will need
- Court order setting bond amount and obligee
- Case caption and case number
- Principal personal financial statement (fiduciary bonds)
How to apply
- Send the court order and case details
- Receive a quote in one to two business days
- Bond signed and filed with the court clerk
How a surety bond differs from insurance
A court bond is a surety guarantee that protects the party the court is safeguarding, such as an estate, a protected person, or an opposing litigant. It is not insurance for the principal. The principal repays the surety for any valid claim under the indemnity agreement.
Frequently asked questions
What types of court bonds are there?
Judicial bonds (appeal, supersedeas, injunction) that arise during litigation, and probate or fiduciary bonds posted by executors, administrators, guardians, and conservators.
Who sets the bond amount?
The court order sets the amount and names the obligee, so the requirement comes from the court rather than the surety.
Why might an appeal bond require collateral?
An appeal or supersedeas bond secures a fixed money judgment, so the surety often requires collateral to cover that exposure.
How long does it take to get a court bond?
Fiduciary bonds can often be issued within a day or two once the order and a financial statement are provided. Appeal bonds depend on arranging collateral.
What is a probate bond?
A probate bond is the fiduciary bond a probate court requires from an executor, administrator, guardian, or conservator before they take control of an estate or a protected person's assets. It guarantees the fiduciary handles the money faithfully; if they mismanage or misappropriate it, the estate can recover from the surety.
Who needs a probate bond?
Anyone the probate court appoints to manage someone else's assets: an executor named in a will, an administrator when there is no will, a guardian of a minor, or a conservator of an incapacitated adult. The court order names the appointee and sets the bond amount, usually tied to the value of the estate.
How much does a probate bond cost?
Premium is a small percentage of the court-set bond amount, typically around 0.5 to 1 percent per year for fiduciary bonds. The amount itself tracks the value of the estate under management, so a $100,000 bond usually costs a few hundred dollars annually. Credit and the size of the estate drive the rate.
Can a probate bond be waived?
Sometimes. A will can waive the bond for the named executor, and heirs can consent to a waiver in some states, but the judge always has discretion to require one anyway, especially when minors, contested estates, or out-of-state fiduciaries are involved.
How do I get a probate bond?
Send the court order or letters of appointment, the case caption, and a personal financial statement. Fiduciary bonds are usually quoted within one to two business days, then signed and filed with the court clerk.
More additional bonds
Reviewed by the Cornerstone Surety bond team. Last reviewed 2026-06-17. Last verified July 29, 2026.