First, let’s ensure we have the lingo correct.
Attorneys bill for “attorneys’ fees” and “costs.” Attorney’s fees are the professional service rendered. Generally, the options for fee structure include: hourly fees, flat fees or contingent fees. Costs (or expenses) are the costs associated with the administration of the probate case, i.e. postage, court filing costs/fees, etc.
Most probate attorneys either offer hourly rates or “statutory” rates. Statutory rates are set forth by the Florida Statutes and only apply where there is no written agreement to the contrary.
The ultimate “cost” of probate in Florida ultimately depends on the complexity and conditions of the probate case. Summary Administration of an estate is typically less expensive to administer than formal administration.
The sample fees that we display are for certain case scenarios and are not representative of every probate matter that we encounter.
The actual costs, or expenses or probate include:
- Court filing fees
- Recording costs
- Publishing Notice to Creditors
- Express courier or mail service (Fedex, DHL, USPS)
- Certified copies of records
- Genealogical Fees
Again, not every cost is required for every type of probate administration. We continually strive to keep costs as low as possible for our clients without sacrificing the efficiency of the process.
Click here to view our sample Florida Probate fee schedule.
