When do you need an Estate Planning Lawyer and How much do they charge?

Attorneys’ fees vary in amount and structure.  Some attorneys that deal with simple estate matters charge a lower fee than those that deal with complicated trust situations.  Most attorneys, however, charge an hourly rate based on how long it takes them to complete a specific assignment.  In contrast to some other fields, such as litigation, estate attorneys may know how long it will take to draft a basic will and how much work will be involved in the distribution of an estate.  Thus, the attorney may be able to provide you an estimate of the cost associated with addressing your estate planning needs.

An attorney often is involved in the drafting stage of estate planning and may provide advice on how to structure the will to avoid unnecessary taxes.  Additionally, an estate attorney can help during the will’s administration by heading off conflicts before they arise, helping to avoid litigation, and assisting case the will is challenged or someone files suit in connection with the will.