My fees are broken down into the following categories:
- Wills, Estate Planning and Trusts
- Guardianships
- Probate
- Business Formation
- Real Estate
These categories represent the bulk of my practice. However, there will inevitably be other areas with which I can help you; and I will be happy to give you a fee estimate before beginning any work. My regular hourly rate for those matters will be $235 per hour. For the most part, I do not undertake any litigation. I do not handle any criminal or domestic work. If you are not certain what kind of help you need, or whether I can help you at all, please give me a call and I will be happy to discuss the matter with you, without charge.
My fees may be paid by cash, personal check or money order. Payment for work undertaken on an hourly basis is due each month, as billed. Payment of set fees is due as follows: one-half (1/2) at inception, and the remaining one-half (1/2) when the work is completed. In the event that I am unable to complete all work within 30 days solely because I have not heard from you, or you have not provided all information I have asked for, you will be billed at the end of that 30-day period, and prompt payment is expected.
I reserve the right to vary these terms and my fees in special circumstances; and if that is the case, you will be notified in advance.
These fees do not include any required filing or recording fees, court costs, or any other out-of-pocket advancements made on your behalf.
WILLS, ESTATE PLANNING AND TRUSTS
Wills:
Simple Will: $250.00 per Will. “Simple Wills” are those that leave the entire estate to one or more persons. They do not include specific bequests (except for general bequests of tangible personal property), trust provisions or U.S. Estate Tax planning language.
Complex Will: Minimum Fee of $600. Billed at my hourly rate of $235 per hour. “Complex Wills” are those that contain trust provisions, tax planning measures and/or a significant number of bequests.
General Powers of Attorney: $75 per Power
Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care (or Living Will Declarations): $75 per Power/Declaration.
For Husband and Wife: Simple Wills, General Powers of Attorney and Durable Powers of Attorney For Health Care: $550
For Husband and Wife: Wills containing contingent non-tax trusts for spouse and/or children, General Powers of Attorney and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care: $1,100
For Husband and Wife: Wills containing Bypass Trusts, General Powers of Attorney and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care: $1,950
For Husband and Wife: Wills containing Contingent Estate Tax Trust planning, General Powers of Attorney and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care: $2,000
Trusts:
Revocable Living Trust (without Estate Tax planning) Pour-over Will, General Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: $1,750. Identical documents for husband and wife, a total of $2,250
Revocable Living Trust, with Bypass Trust and/or Contingent Trust provisions, Pour-over Will, General Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: $2,250. Identical documents for husband and wife, a total of $2,750
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust: $2,000
Charitable Remainder Trust: $2,250
Special Needs or Supplemental Needs Trust: $2,500
Personal Residence Trusts: $2,750. Includes Deed preparation
GUARDIANSHIPS
My fee for an uncontested Guardianship of the Person or Property, or one proceeding for both, is $950. One-half of this amount will be due at inception, with the balance payable when the Guardianship order is signed.
For a contested guardianship, my fee is billed at my hourly rate of $235 per hour, payable monthly, as billed. I will request a retainer of $1,000 at the commencement of proceedings. I will petition to have all fees allowed as an expense of the Guardianship Estate when the Guardianship order is signed, so that the Petitioner may be reimbursed from the Guardianship assets. However, in any event, the fee will be the personal liability of the Petitioner.
PROBATE
Depending upon the complexity and makeup of the Decedent’s estate, I will make arrangements with the Personal Representative to bill in one of several ways:
Personal Representative: Should I serve as Personal Representative of the Estate, I will charge the commissions allowable by the Orphans’ Court, to be paid when Administration Accounts are filed.
Attorney for the Personal Representative: As agreed with the Personal Representative, my fee will be either:
One-half (1/2) of the commissions normally allowable to Personal Representatives under the laws of the State of Maryland. This fee will be due when allowed by the Orphans’ Court, usually at the time when an Administration Account is filed. Any amounts not allowed by the Orphans’ Court will be the personal responsibility of the Personal Representative.
OR
Billing calculated at my hourly rate of $235 per hour. Payment will be due on a monthly basis, as billed. I will petition the Orphans’ Court to have my total fee allowed as an expense of the Estate; but in any event, my total fee will be the personal responsibility of the Personal Representative.
BUSINESS FORMATION
Formation of an LLC, without an Operating Agreement, and filing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation: $500
Formation of an LLC, filing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, and preparation of an Operating Agreement: $1,500.
Incorporation, including preparation of Articles of Incorporation, standard Bylaws, Informal Organizational Action, stock certificates: $850
REAL ESTATE
Preparation of Deeds: $200.00
Review of contracts, closing statements, preparation of agreements: Billed at my hourly rate of $225, payable monthly as billed. I do not handle closings.
