I'm the executor of my mother’s will. The lawyer says his fee is set by state law, as a percentage of the value of her estate. Do I have to pay that much?
How much does a probate lawyer cost?
Talk to an Estate Planning Lawyer
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
Related Ads
Question:
This article is provided for informational purposes only. If you need legal advice or representation,
click here to have an attorney review your case .
click here to have an attorney review your case .
The content of this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. Always consult with an attorney regarding any legal issues. If you live in Alabama, Florida, Missouri, New York or Wyoming, please click here for additional information.
Recent Articles | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Site Map Copyright © 2012 ExpertHub.com. All rights reserved.
LA-WS5:0.9.17.120126.12696+
Answer: (1)
Lawyers' fees are always negotiable. If you think that the fee you were quoted seems out of line for the amount of work that needs to be done, by all means say so. The lawyer may offer to give you a discount--say, 15% off the original fee--or agree to bill you by the hour. (If you settle on an hourly rate, be sure to ask for an estimate of how many hours the lawyer thinks he will spend on the probate!)
Only a few states (Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, and Wyoming) have statutes that set out probate lawyers' fees as a percentage of the value of the estate. Even in these states, the statutory fee isn't required; it's just presumed (by the probate court) to be reasonable. You're free to suggest another arrangement--or find another lawyer.
Posted by Edith Hull on 03 Mar 2010