Fees and Pricing
It can be unsettling to know you need legal help but not know what it will cost. This page answers the most common questions we receive about fees so you can understand what to expect before deciding how to move forward.
What Does It Cost for a Will or Trust?
In our office, wills and trusts are referred to as estate planning.
Estate planning with our firm is handled on a flat-fee basis, not hourly billing. The exact fee depends on your specific situation and needs.
Our pricing is based on more than 20 years of experience analyzing the actual time required to properly handle estate planning matters from start to finish. Particular attention is paid to how much attorney involvement is required throughout the process.
In some firms, clients may meet an attorney once and then work primarily with staff. That is not how we operate. At our firm, your attorney is involved in your estate planning process from beginning to end.
Estate planning fees are determined using a pricing scale developed by our firm. That scale is based on the simplicity or complexity of your situation.
Factors that can affect complexity include the types of assets involved, your family structure, and your wishes and long-term goals. In some cases, people are unaware that their situation is more complex than it appears.
For that reason, we offer a no-cost, no-obligation estate planning strategy session with one of our attorneys.
During this process, your attorney will review your information either through an email consultation or a one-on-one discussion, based on your preference. After that review, you will receive recommendations along with specific pricing.
Most estate planning clients fall within the $2,000 to $5,000 range.
After receiving your recommendations and prices, you are free to move forward with us or decline, with no obligation and no pressure.
What Does It Cost for Probate?
Online searches often make probate appear simple, as though it only involves filling out a form. In reality, probate can be far more nuanced, and mistakes can be costly.
We regularly see cases where the wrong form was filed, a form was filled out incorrectly, or probate was started when it was not necessary at all. A significant number of clients who contact our office ultimately learn that probate is not required after a loved one passes.
For this reason, we begin probate matters with a substantive strategy session with one of our probate attorneys. This session is billed on a pay-by-the-hour basis.
This is not a sales meeting. Your attorney will review your situation to determine whether probate is actually needed. If assets can be claimed without probate, your attorney will explain that option and may provide a self-help plan.
In some cases, a client may only need a short strategy session. A half-hour session, for example, may cost only a few hundred dollars.
If probate is required, your attorney will discuss the appropriate fee structure based on the circumstances.
Some probate matters can be handled on a flat-fee basis, typically in the $2,000 to $5,000 range. Other matters require hourly billing with a retainer, particularly when there is uncertainty.
Examples of uncertainty include situations where the original will is missing. In those cases, it may be easy or difficult to persuade the court to accept a copy, depending on the facts. There are many other scenarios where it is not possible to predict in advance how complex the process will be.
This is why the initial strategy session is so valuable. It allows you to understand both the process and the likely cost before committing to full probate representation.
What Forms of Payment Do You Accept?
Most clients pay by credit card, either online or over the phone. We also accept checks and cash if that is more convenient.
How Do Your Fees Compare to Other Firms?
Many attorneys handle a wide range of unrelated legal matters, such as traffic tickets, divorces, and wills. These firms often charge lower fees, but that can come at the expense of quality or focus.
Our firm works exclusively in estate planning, probate, and estate administration. We help clients create wills and trusts, and we help families use those documents when they are needed.
Based on online research and feedback from clients who have compared firms, our pricing generally falls in the middle range of firms that focus exclusively on these practice areas.
Our goal is not to be the cheapest option. Our goal is to provide thoughtful, ethical legal work that protects families and helps prevent unnecessary problems in the future.