Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
If you are navigating the probate process, you have likely investigated the options for legal representation and probate legal services. When choosing an attorney, we recommend looking for someone with experience, positive reviews, and a client-centered approach to their practice. It is equally important, however, to make sure you find someone who is transparent about their fee structure.
Option 1: Flat Fee
A probate attorney could either charge a flat fee or a percentage of the estate’s value. Which one is better? Without a doubt, we believe the flat fee wins every time. When a probate attorney tells you that they charge a flat fee, you can know from the beginning of your work with that attorney the total cost you will end up paying. This fee does not change no matter the size of your estate or the amount of time it takes your attorney to settle the matter in probate court.
One word of caution on the flat fee is to always inquire as to what this fee does not include. For example, does the fee cover court costs? If not, what court costs will you incur? Might there be appraiser’s fees? Or are there any other possible bills you could be responsible for paying? Asking these questions up front can make sure you have full transparency about what you will owe at the end of the probate process.
Option 2: Percentage of Estate’s Value
When an attorney instead charges a percentage of the client’s estate value, this can end up complicating matters. The attorney’s fees in this case are often based on the estate’s gross value instead of the net value – this raises the fees significantly. Additionally, if there is an unpredictable hiccup in the probate process that requires your attorney to spend more time than originally intended, your fees will jump without warning.
Do You Need a Reliable Houston Probate Attorney in Your Corner?
It is important to do your research and choose a Houston probate attorney that is right for you and for your family. The way an attorney presents his or her fees is one indication of how transparent that attorney will be when working with you. By ensuring you retain a lawyer that is upfront and that offers a flat fee structure for probate, you can save yourself money and time down the road.
At McCulloch & Miller, we pride ourselves in offering high quality legal services to those in the Houston community. Our decades of experience navigating probate make us well-poised to represent your interests well, and we are honored to help our clients achieve their estate planning goals every day.
If you would like to set up a call with one of our Houston probate attorneys at McCulloch & Miller, give us a call at 713-936-9073. You can also fill out our online form to tell us about yourself and have a member of our team contact you as soon as possible. Our firm covers estate planning, probate, trust administration, special needs planning, elder law, public benefits planning, and more.