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For
information about
our fees for
probate representation, click here.
The cost of
conducting a probate proceeding can range from a few hundred dollars to
thousands of dollars, depending upon the size of the estate, the location
and type of assets involved in the estate, the complexity of the estate,
and the nature of the probate proceeding (formal, informal, supervised or
unsupervised). Generally, the more assets and the more complicated they
are, or the more people involved in the process, the more it costs. It is
usually impossible at beginning of any probate proceeding to tell exactly
how much time or effort will be required to properly bring that proceeding
to a close.
Fees in
probate administration can be set in a number of ways. Some Arizona
lawyers charge a percentage of the size of the estate to handle a probate
matter, while other lawyers either bill by the hour or charge a flat fee.
A probate that is handled by the hour may be much more expensive than a
flat fee or percentage fee case.
Fees for
probate proceedings in Arizona are not regulated (except that they must be
"reasonable"), they are subject to negotiation, and they may vary
depending upon the location or size of the law firm involved.
To request our Fee Agreement, click
here.
In some
states, like California, probate fees are set by statute. For
example California Probate Code Section 10810 states:
(a)
Subject to the provisions of this part, for ordinary services the
attorney for the personal representative shall receive compensation
based on the value of the estate accounted for by the personal
representative, as follows: (1) Four percent on the first fifteen
thousand dollars ($15,000). (2) Three percent on the next eighty-five
thousand dollars ($85,000). (3) Two percent on the next nine hundred
thousand dollars ($900,000). (4) One percent on the next nine million
dollars ($9,000,000). (5) One-half of 1 percent on the next fifteen
million dollars ($15,000,000). (6) For all above twenty-five million
dollars ($25,000,000), a reasonable amount to be determined by the
court. (b) For the purposes of this section, the value of the estate
accounted for by the personal representative is the total amount of the
appraisal of property in the inventory, plus gains over the appraisal
value on sales, plus receipts, less losses from the appraisal value on
sales, without reference to encumbrances or other obligations on estate
property.
The Florida
statutes, at Section 733.6171(3), outline what is presumed to be
reasonable compensation:
$1,500.00
for estates of less than $40,000.00;
$2,250.00 for estates of less than $70,000.00;
$3,000.00 for estates of less than $100,000.00;
Three (3) percent of the value of the estate from $100,000.00 to $1
million;
Two and one-half (2 1/2) percent of the estate value from $1 million to
$3 million.
Pennsylvania does not set the fees by statute. For an example of the
guidelines used by some Pennsylvania courts to determine the
reasonableness of fees, click
here.
The above
"reasonable fees" are for ordinary legal services only and do not include
such things as will contests, contested claims, tax advice or ancillary
administration. Fees for a formal probate or a supervised proceeding
will usually be significantly greater than the fees involved in an
uncontested informal probate.
Fees for a
formal probate or a supervised proceeding will usually be significantly
greater than the fees involved in an uncontested informal probate.
Fees may be higher where there are will contests, contested claims, tax
advice or ancillary administration.
To request our Fee Agreement, click
here.
For
probate assistance in Arizona, call us at 928/445-3230 or
click
here
to
contact us.
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