Fees for Estate Administration
Since each estate is different, the fee to administer each estate is different. In general, the larger and more complex the estate, the more time and expertise, and yes, fees, are required to complete the administration of the estate. As a result, fees for estate administration are only quoted after we know the details of the estate. Our goal is to protect the executor or administrator of the estate from personal liability to any creditor or beneficiary of the estate. In order to protect an executor from such claims of liability, all of the procedures mandated by law must be followed. We advise the executor about probate procedure and prepare most, if not all, of the paperwork for the executor including the petitions, affidavits, accountings, inheritance tax returns, releases and a host of other forms while the executor maintains ultimate control over the estate.
As a law firm we advise you as the personal representative of the estate and administer the estate for a fee that is disclosed to you in writing up front. If there are challenges to the will, estate accounting or other contested matters we charge our hourly rate for representation in those matters. Most, but not all, estates are settled without any court contests. The amount of our fee depends upon the complexity of the estate and the work involved to administer the estate. We will provide you with a written agreement that describes the services we provide, what we expect from you as the executor, what you can expect from us and tells you how much our services will cost you. In order to provide you with a written agreement in writing we need some basic information about the estate.