Fees
We strive to keep our fees affordable and understandable. We post as much information about our fees as we can.
For most matters, including estate administration, we charge $325 per hour. For estate planning we usually charge a flat fee, and for probate representation we charge the California statutory fees. Both are set out below.
For all matters we offer a free initial consultation, so you can decide whether you need legal counsel.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning clients generally prefer a flat fee to an hourly rate. The flat fee covers everything — all meetings, telephone calls, changes to drafts, witnessing, and notarizing. We can usually quote the fee during the initial consultation.
For straightforward cases:
Full Plans
Single person — $1,675 A living trust, a will, a California deed transferring the residence to the trust, a financial power of attorney, and an Advance Health Care Directive.
Couple, married or unmarried — $1,975 A shared living trust, two wills, a California deed transferring the residence to the trust, two financial powers of attorney, and two Advance Health Care Directives.
Married couple with estate tax concerns — $2,200 A shared AB disclaimer trust (also called a by-pass trust), two wills, a California deed transferring the residence to the trust, two financial powers of attorney, and two Advance Health Care Directives.
Additional deeds transferring California real estate are $375 each. Deeds for out-of-state property may cost more.
Simple Trust and Will Plans
Single person — $1,400 A living trust, a will, and a California deed transferring the residence to the trust.
Couple, married or unmarried — $1,800 A shared living trust, two wills, and a California deed transferring the couple's residence to the trust.
Married couple with estate tax concerns — $1,950 A shared AB disclaimer trust, two wills, and a California deed transferring the couple's residence to the trust.
Complicated cases
For both full plans and simple plans, the fee is higher where the case presents complications. Common examples include the need for a special trust — an IRA trust, a life insurance trust, a 529 education plan trust, a special needs trust, or a spendthrift trust — the transfer of out-of-state property into the trust, or a blended family with children from previous marriages.
We will usually be able to quote a flat fee for your case at the free initial consultation. In some cases we work at our hourly rate of $325.
Probate
For probate we charge the statutory fees set by California Probate Code section 10810. These are calculated as a percentage of the estate's value, not by the hour.
Estate Value Statutory Fee
$100,000 $4,000
$200,000 $7,000
$300,000 $9,000
$400,000 $11,000
$500,000 $13,000
$600,000 $15,000
$700,000 $17,000
$800,000 $19,000
$900,000 $21,000
$1,000,000 $23,000
$1,500,000 $28,000
$2,000,000 $33,000
$3,000,000 $43,000
One point that surprises many people: the estate is valued by its inventory, and the inventory does not subtract debts. A house appraised at $500,000 counts as $500,000 regardless of the mortgage owed on it.
Our Probate page explains the process in more detail.
Getting started
We offer a free 30 minute initial consultation, with no obligation.
Call 707.636.4611 or email info@botzcodylaw.com.