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How Much Do Pennsylvania Attorneys Charge as Estate Fees

Executors - Read This Before You Hire An Attorney.

There are several ways that attorneys charge executors and estates. But, before you hire one read this article so that you understand what is best for you and for your particular estate.

Never hire counsel without a written fee agreement documnting the method of the fee regardless of which method you use to compute the fee.

Many general practice attorneys charge estates based on a flat fee of 5% to 6%. However, in many cases, especially for large to medium sized estates, this fee structure is excessive, and even exceeds the fee guidelines set forth below. Others charge a flat fee based on the Johnson Estate Guidelines. The guidelines are reproduced below so that you can make an informed judgement about flat fees.

Many larger firms and experienced state planning and estate lawyers charge based on an hourly fee. Many cleints prefer this approach. However, this has an element of unpredictability that executors may not like. At the very least, if you are an executor, you should ask for a good faith estimate of such fees and to be billed regularly and informed as soon as possible if the fees will exceed that estimate.

In many cases, the best fee structure from the stand point of the executor and the estate is the negotiated flat fee. That is the method that I use in my firm primarily because it is client oriented. Clients like to know that the fee is set, and reflects the work that they will be doing. Clients can also judge whether or not the fee is reasonable given the division of work between the law firm, the executor and family, accountants, or others.

As a consumer it is best to have an attorney reiew the facts of your particular estate and then to quote a flat fee based primarily on the work to be done by the firm.

Finally, under Pennsylvania law, attorneys fees for estates are not set by statute but are subject to review. They must be reasonable under all of the paticular facts and circumstances. Nevertheless, the fee guidlines below are informative.

Attorneys Fees In Pennsylvania

	$	00.01	to $	25,000.00	7%	1,750.00	1,750.00
	$	25,000.01	to $	50,000.00	6%	1,500.00	3,250.00
	$	50,000.01	to $	100,000.00	5%	2,500.00	5,750.00
Attorney	$	100,000.01	to $	200,000.00	4%	4,000.00	9,750.00
	$	200,000.01	to $	1,000,000.00	3%	24,000.00	33,750.00
	$	1,000,000.01	to $	2,000,000.00	2%	20,000.00	53,750.00
	$	2,000,000.01	to $	3,000,000.00	1½%	15,000.00	68,750.00
	$	3,000,000.01	to $	4,000,000.00	1%	10,000.00	78,750.00
	$	4,000,000.01	to $	5,000,000.00	½%	5,000.00	83,750.00

½%	Regular Commission P.O.D. Bonds and Trust Funds	3½%	Transfer Joint Accounts	3½%	Assets Which Are Taxable at One Half Value
1%	Non-Probate Assets up to $1,000,000	1%	Non-Probate Assets		Joint Accounts Fully Taxable: Full Commission

David M. Frees III
610-933-8069
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David M Frees III, Esquire
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610-933-8069
If you:
1)have been appointed as an executor or trustee, or

2)you want to creat a will, trust, power of attorney or a comprehensive estate plan, or

3)you're worried that you will is out of date or no longer says what you want, or

4)you think that you might need a trust or esate plan that really works and holds up....

Then call and ask one of David's assistants at 610-933-8069 to set up an appointment
and to see if you can work directly with David or one of his partners, or associates.
It may be one of the most important calls that you ever make.

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