Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Florida

The cost of processing a trust

I am the executor of my father's estate. Except for his personal belongings and a car, everything is in trust. I assumed that this would make the process easy, but when I sat down with a lawyer his estimate of the fee to process the trust was based on a percentage, 3%, of the value of the estate. How much time should it take to process a trust and what should it cost me if I hire a lawyer by the hour? In other words, would I be better off doing that or going by the percentage basis?


Asked on 3/24/03, 5:56 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

Re: The cost of processing a trust

Depends upon the value of the trust, its provisions and the projected time to process. A fair fee runs $250 an hour plus expenses & up. Good luck.

Read more
Answered on 3/24/03, 7:14 am
Marie-Anne Oatley

Re: The cost of processing a trust

It depends on the size of the estate, the attorney's hourly rate, and what needs to be done. Hourly rates in estate law usually range between $200 and $400 per hour (higher side for board certified attorneys).

Shop around and ask details about what needs to be done and how many hours the attorney estimates it is going to take. Ask whether a paralegal can do some of the work at a lower hourly rate. Then, do your calculations. An ethical attorney should not have any problems answering your questions. good luck.

Read more
Answered on 3/24/03, 8:58 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Probate, Trusts, Wills & Estates questions and answers in Florida