There are two basic models for a Miami probate attorney to charge his or her attorney’s fees: Flat Fee or Hourly.
There is not one best method, in some situations the flat fee will be more convenient for the client, in other situations the hourly model will be more cost effective.
The reason for this is that the probate attorney may charge an additional amount when quoting a flat fee because the probate attorney will not know how much time and complexity the formal administration will have until the formal administration is begun.
The first time I sit with a potential client I try to gather all the necessary information necessary to access the formal administration. However, it is almost always the case that the formal administration doesn’t go as originally planned or the beneficiaries have issues, or there is a lot of problems communicating with the beneficiary or the person appointed as the personal representative.
For these reasons, a lot of probate attorneys in Miami decide to charge an hourly fee instead of a flat fee for the administration.