Formerly, the legal profession followed approved minimum fee schedules in fixing fees for various legal services. Such fee schedules reflected the lower range of fees conventionally charged by most lawyers across the state. Minimum fee schedules have been abolished, and therefore, the nature, complexity, and magnitude of the service rendered and the benefit conferred upon the client are all considered in fixing the fees that may be charged. Fees charged by lawyers in probate matters are subject to the approval of the court at the time of the hearing on the final account of the personal representative. Fees for legal services will run at least as much as those fees authorized by statute to be paid to the personal representative and in most cases they run higher.
Since probate costs depend upon varying factors, any references herein as to fees charged by lawyers are only general approximations. In each case, problems may differ, thus creating more than the usual and normal professional work and thus increasing the cost of legal services. Lawyers are willing to discuss their fees with the personal representative at the time of being employed.
Attorney Fees
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