A TEN PERCENT PROBATE FEE

SOURCE: THE PRINCE WILLIAM (VIRGINIA) COUNTY JOURNAL

This local newspaper carried this story.

An attorney had charged a one hundred thousand dollar ($100,000.00) probate fee to change the deed on a tract of land from the decedent to her daughters. The land value was about one million dollars.

So, his fee amounted to ten percent of the estate.

Because changing a deed is done in a matter of minutes, usually by an attorney's clerical staff, the family contended that the $100,000.00 fee was excessive.

In his reply to the family's complaint, he admitted that Virginia law specifies that five percent is a reasonable fee when the estate is not difficult to probate. "But," he added, "when told that the five percent fee is normal, Mrs. ______________specifically requested that I charge a ten percent fee."

Anybody want to buy a bridge?

See also, Probate