Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Arkansas

Arkansas Inheritance Tax & Attorney Fees

My husband's aunt died in January 2004, an Arkansas resident, leaving her estate to her 4 nephews. One nephew lives in Arkansas; the other 3 live in 3 other states. The gross estate is approximately $120K. The heirs have received very little contact from the estate attorney. Yesterday all heirs received a letter from the attorney with a form waiving notice of hearings and also waiving the preparation and filing of the final accounting. The cover letter stated that after payment of attorney's fees and executor fees, the proceeds would be distributed pursuant to the Will. However, no amounts of such fees are listed in the letter and there is no reference to payment of Arkansas inheritance tax. Our question is, what is the maximum attorney's fee and executor fee allowed by law and how will the heirs know whether the inheritance tax has been paid? By signing the waiver, how do we know that all estate expenses have been paid? The attorney is side-stepping calls from the heirs. How do we know that he is being honest if he refuses to give the heirs an accounting?

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