AlamoShooter Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 We have a Lawyer friend that heads a firm and has an office in the building that my wife manages. He drafted and finalized simple wills for her mom and dependant aunt. The problem is he called and said whatever we want to pay is fine. Our predicament - what is the going rate? He runs an office of several lawyers who bring in most of the revenue. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robomanusa Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Alot depends on how much you have and how much work needs to be done, I'd say an average may be around 500.00 for a simple one maybe less??? I would look into a trust since wills can be contested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 My last experience with this dates to 2003, when a friend of a friend charged us $400 to draft a simple will, durable medical and legal power of attorney, and a living will for my mother-in-law, shortly after she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. That same lawyer charged me about $ 800 for the drafting of the contract/closing of my house sale in NJ last year, if that helps to put it in context. Location was middle class suburbs --- not super ritzy, not poor either..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 An attorney and member of my mother in laws church was doing "discount" simple wills for $400. I looked it over and it was just that, simple. Anyone consider "will and trust" software. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Anyone consider "will and trust" software. Yeah, I think you can get those at Office Depot, look on the shelf right next to the "Do It Yourself Appendectomy" kits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ipscbob Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Anyone consider "will and trust" software. Yeah, I think you can get those at Office Depot, look on the shelf right next to the "Do It Yourself Appendectomy" kits. Yup.....CompUSA has them was well. Keep in mind, though, you truly get what you pay for. A good estate attorney gets $200 to $300 an hour typically and they will be worth every penny when it really counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimel Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 $600 seems to be the going rate around here for the whole package from living will, to durable powers of attorney, will, and all the trimmings if you are starting from scratch. Revisions are a less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPatterson Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Ah, a benefit of being retired military. Contacted base legal for an appointment, got every thing; will, living will, power of attorney & DNR at no cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Man Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Mine was only $150. But there was minmal work as it was identical to my mothers except replacing her name with mine. FM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cking Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 IF he is a friend a $150.00 will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Depends on how good an attorney they are... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Depends on how good an attorney they are... Exactly correct. And, keep in mind that attorney's fees vary quite a bit from region to region. The same work will cost much more in a big city like New York or Chicago than it would if prepared by an equally-adept lawyer in a small midwestern town, for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfinney Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 IF he is a friend a $150.00 will be fine. Thats a good point if he is truly a friend of the family, and is letting you make some token payment just so you don't feel awkward about receiving the service, then let you heart guide you on the amount but the $100 to $150 range would probably be at most what he's expecting. If its an "acquaintance" , and is expecting to be paid fairly for his work, quit beating around the bush and just ask him to bill you so there's no ambiguity on either side, and no hard feelings if you guess to low. Never known a lawyer hesitant to bill anybody, for anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airedale Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Ah, a benefit of being retired military. Contacted base legal for an appointment, got every thing; will, living will, power of attorney & DNR at no cost. Exactly, one of the benefits. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlamoShooter Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 (edited) Thanks -every one- = This was very helpfull, Thanks Edited August 3, 2007 by AlamoShooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Man Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Depends on how good an attorney they are... Exactly correct. And, keep in mind that attorney's fees vary quite a bit from region to region. The same work will cost much more in a big city like New York or Chicago than it would if prepared by an equally-adept lawyer in a small midwestern town, for example. If I had know you before my father passed you would have been #1 on my list Mike. The attorney we elected is from Holstein Iowa and has a huge back ground of dealing with agriculture related issues including properly conveying interest in real estate. My heirs are the same as my mother at this point in time. So the Wills read the same except for the name change. Minimal work is why it was so inexpensive. And yes Mike is right; a small town layer can have a tough time making a living with out owning another business. I am not a lawyer and can't practice law with out a license.FM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 If I had know you before my father passed you would have been #1 on my list Mike. I appreciate that Dale. However, I don't know much about wills and trusts, I'm a civil trial lawyer. And I'm often hesitatant to bill my clients for my work, particularly when there's a possibility it would create a financial hardship for them. Everybody in my office does pro bono work, and I have written off my time on several files already this year, to help people out. I think this is much more typical of my profession than the public realizes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now