[WSBAPT] query re reasonable estate fees

[Josh Grant]

Attorney Fee seems too high.  you don’t report the rate/hr. so that may be the problem??  That simple an estate would probably result in a reduction in attorney fee requested.

Joshua F. Grant

P. O. Box 619
Wilbur, WA 99185
509 647 5578

From: Eric Nelsen 
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 11:46 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv 
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] query re reasonable estate fees

My touchstone on the reasonable rate is to estimate how much it would have cost to hire out the work, within a fairly broad range. I think $75/hr for time spent cleaning and hauling stuff to Goodwill or the dump is probably too high, though it might be justifiable if there was a lot of careful sorting to be done to extract and retain items of value from a larger mass of possessions. For administrative work I might be persuaded that $75 is realistic compared to cost to hire somebody to do the bookkeeping; but I tend to guesstimate at around $50/hr myself. (Of course, I’ve been estimating at $50/hr for probably 10 years; maybe it’s too low now?)

 

I am a little puzzled at $13,000 in attorney fees for that size estate. I’d want to see the itemized billing. It seems a bit high but it’s the detail that would matter; I have had “simple” probates take inordinate amounts of time because, for example, the PR couldn’t make decisions without exhaustively discussing all possible risks, pros, cons, longshot issues, alternatives, etc.; or the personal property distribution process needed a lot of guidance; or there were background issues about possible pre-death claims that ultimately came to nothing but took time to sort out, and similar things.

 

Sincerely,

 

Eric

 

Eric C. Nelsen

Sayre Law Offices, PLLC

1417 31st Ave South

Seattle WA 98144-3909

206-625-0092

eric at sayrelawoffices.com

 

Covid-19 Update - All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.

 

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Shannon Jones
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 10:51 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] query re reasonable estate fees

 

Pierce County testate estate with no creditor claims includes a house (no mortgage), a car (fully paid for), a checking and a savings account. There is one heir, who is not the PR. Estate attorney fees are over $13k (costs NOT included) and PR wants $75 an hour for 42.5 hours work. This seems unreasonable to me but I’ve not challenged estate attorney fee or PR fee for a while. Any thoughts appreciated.

 


     Shannon R. Jones | Attorney 

      Campbell Barnett PLLC

      P: 253.848.3513| F: 253.845.4941

      317 South Meridian

      Puyallup, WA 98371

      shannonj at campbellbarnettlaw.com  

      campbellbarnettlaw.com
     
       

      This transmission contains confidential attorney-client communications and may not be disclosed to any person but the intended recipient(s).  If this matter is transmitted to you in error, please delete and notify the sender immediately.
      
     
       

 

 



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