legal fee

[linda2407]

What is the name of your state? ny
The lawyer who is handling an estate matter charged 1200.00 for letters Testamentary. I thought that this was outrageous. Does this charge depend on the size of the estate or is it normally a standard fee? Thanks for any answers!

 

[You Are Guilty]

What is the name of your state? ny
The lawyer who is handling an estate matter charged 1200.00 for letters Testamentary. I thought that this was outrageous. Does this charge depend on the size of the estate or is it normally a standard fee? Thanks for any answers!

What does the retainer agreement say?

(I'm going out on a very short limb and guessing you've never hired a lawyer before?)

 

[linda2407]

thanks

Thank you for the oh so useful answers. I thought that there were actual adults on this site. Apparently I was mistaken. Thank you all again.

 

[seniorjudge]

Thank you for the oh so useful answers. I thought that there were actual adults on this site. Apparently I was mistaken. Thank you all again.

Please answer this question:

What does the retainer agreement say?

 

[You Are Guilty]

Thank you for the oh so useful answers. I thought that there were actual adults on this site. Apparently I was mistaken. Thank you all again.

It is quite clear that you were undercharged for your attorney's work. Hope you paid your bill on time!

 

[BelizeBreeze]

It is quite clear that you were undercharged for your attorney's work. Hope you paid your bill on time!

Most assuredly true, but......

what does the retainer agreement state????

 

[You Are Guilty]

Most assuredly true, but......

what does the retainer agreement state????

Hopefully, it has a provision for a big "Attitude Adjustment Factor"!

And to think I went to law school because I didn't want any more jobs dealing with "the puiblic"

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Hopefully, it has a provision for a big "Attitude Adjustment Factor"!

And to think I went to law school because I didn't want any more jobs dealing with "the puiblic"

I have a word for people like that**************..Remember George Carlin?

FOOLE

 

[Dandy Don]

Please answer the question--did you or anyone else sign a fee agreement with him or not, and was this fee specifically mentioned in it?

Is this attorney the official executor or did someone else serve as executor? What is the total value of the estate? Is probate over or is it being handled presently?

Is this matter an itemized statement charging only for the letters testamentary or is this his executor fee for handling the entire estate?

You are right to be outraged--this is outright greed, charging for a document that the courts give virtually free of charge. Do not pay the bill and you need to asking him to make an adjustment on this amount or else he will be fired. You can find out what the legally allowable rate for an executor is by consulting another attorney.

Consider filing a complaint about this with the New York Bar Association but I'm not sure if they handle fee disputes or not (try to find a website for them)--if they won't handle it, go to arbitration/mediation about it.

DANDY DON IN OKLAHOMA (tiekh@yahoo.com)