All About Estate Attorney Fees

As you embark on the process of dealing with a deceased person’s estate or planning your own estate, you may understandably feel unsure about how much the process will cost you. How much will you be left with in the end?

The good news is that a reputable attorney will spell out estate attorney fees clearly so that you know what to expect from the start. Here’s a rundown on what attorney fees and services you can expect when working with an attorney like me, Michael C. MacNeil, as well as how to budget for these fees.

Estate Attorney Fees: What to Expect

As a general rule of thumb, estate attorneys handle fees differently. Some attorneys use hourly billing. The rate you’ll pay in this situation depends on your location as well as how busy and experienced the attorney is. For instance, $150 per hour is not uncommon in a rural area, whereas fees can be $200 per hour or higher in an urban location.

Other attorneys use flat fees as a billing method. This is possible because an attorney who handles probate often has a good idea of how long this type of work will take. The benefit of the flat fee process is that neither you nor the attorney has to be bothered with keeping track of the number of hours spent on your case.

Finally, some estate attorneys in California choose to charge percentages of the gross values of the estates they’re working with as their fees.

Tips for Budgeting for Estate Attorney Fees

When it comes to budgeting for your estate attorney fees, it is generally a good idea to get a written fee agreement from your attorney. This agreement should spell out the hourly fees as well as the estimated quantity of hours or total cost if your attorney bills hourly.

The agreement should also highlight how frequently you’ll be billed, other costs that you might be responsible (like court fees), and how many details will be included in your bill. For instance, you don’t want a bill with the line item of “unspecified services.” All of this information will help you budget effectively for your attorney fees.

Also, if you already have a particular budget in mind before you start the estate planning process or address your estate legal matter, let your lawyer know. If you’re working with me, I can use this information to assist you in planning what you can achieve with your budget. I will help you to get the maximum benefit for your budget.

Why Choose Michael C. MacNeil for Your Estate Needs?

I, Michael C. MacNeil, take pride in the fact that I charge fair estate attorney fees whether you’re tackling estate planning or estate legal matters. I am eager to guide you through the estate process so that your main goals and wishes are met.

What sets me apart from other attorneys is that when you work with me, you will be able to receive one-on-one attention from me, rather than having to work with a huge team of lawyers who may not all know the ins and outs of your case. That means I will have a good command of your case and get a good idea of how you would like the case to be handled. In addition, you won’t have to worry about facing the inflated rates that often come with having multiple employees work on your case.

Get in touch with me to find out more about how I can help you to navigate your estate legal matter or the estate planning process with confidence today.

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