Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Indiana

Attorney fees and division of estate

My mother was killed by a speeding driver as she stood at her mail box getting her mail. She had no will. Since my father passed the year before, my mother left behind her four adult children as her heirs. She has two homes, one where she lived for 57 years in Indiana, and the other in florida where she went several times a year, and rented it out the rest of the time. She also has a car and truck, several bank accounts with several thousands of dollars in each, my fathers retirement from Ford Motor co., stock in the company as well. Each of us have a life insurance poicy where we are listed as the beneficiery. My brothers and I have also filed a wrongful death suit. What can we expect to pay in attorney fees for the estate, and again what can we expect to pay for the wrongful death suit? How will the estate be divided since there is no will, and how long will all of this take? After an administrator of the estate is chosen, what is his actual function? Looking forward to answers. Thankyou


Asked on 7/15/04, 12:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Philip Owens Philip M. Owens, Attorney at Law

Re: Attorney fees and division of estate

Charges vary, depending upon the complexity of the matter handled. As an average in this area, attorney's charge from 4 to 8% of the gross estate. Some place minimum and maximum limits, others do not. Some charge by the hour. This is a matter for negotionation with the individual attorney.

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Answered on 7/15/04, 4:13 pm


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