New York Probate Lawyer Fees and Services
| Service | Fee | Description | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Probate Lawyer Fees | $5,000 and up | Fees depend on case complexity. Simple cases are lower; more complex cases or litigated cases can cost more. | ||||||||
| Letter of Testamentary | $5,000 to $12,000 (Typically around $7,000) | Minimum fee for obtaining letters testamentary, which can increase with complications such as poor will quality, errors on death certificates, or multiple parties. | ||||||||
| Letter of Administration | $5,000 to $12,000 (Typically around $7,000) | Cost for obtaining letters of administration when someone dies without a will, including potential bond issues. | ||||||||
| Estate Settlement | 3% to 6% of estate value | Involves setting up bank accounts, collecting assets, paying debts, and filing taxes. The fee depends on the estate size, complexity, and whether attorney involvement is partial or full. | ||||||||
| Estate Settlement (for simpler cases) | Customized quote | In simpler cases, like when the executor is the sole heir, a customized quote is possible, and the executor may not need a lawyer. | ||||||||
| Closing the Estate | $3,000 to $10,000 | The cost of closing an estate, which can vary based on relationships between beneficiaries and any issues such as estate insolvency. | ||||||||
| Contested Probate Cases (Will contests, objections, etc.) | Hourly or Percentage Fee | Litigated cases, such as will contests or disputes among beneficiaries, will be charged hourly or at a percentage rate. |
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Representing a Distributee (Simple) | $2,500 |
| Representing a Distributee (Complex) | $4,500 |
| Guardianships | On a case-by-case basis |
