Fees are one of the most important things to look out for when hiring a lawyer for probate. You might have heard that some probate lawyers ask for a percentage of the real estate in question, but that’s not the only method these legal professionals use. Some probate lawyers use flat fees. That being said, the average cost of hiring a probate attorney in Florida ranges from $900 to $3,000. Their price usually depends on the lawyer’s level of reputation and the size of the estate in question.
Other Factors To Consider Before Choosing A Probate Lawyer
Qualification
A probate lawyer is expected to have undergone certain training that makes them qualified to handle probate cases. And, of course, they should have a certification to show for it. If they can’t, hiring their service is not a good decision.
Seek Recommendation
Before hiring any probate lawyer, you can discuss with family members or friends who have used the services of a probate lawyer, so they’ll refer you to the one they enjoyed working with the most. Apart from getting referrals from family members and friends, you can use online forums and local communities online for recommendations. Many have been able to get the probate lawyer of their choice by using online resources. So it can be very helpful to seek recommendations from online resources as well.
Experience
When a probate lawyer is on your hire list, it’s important to take a look at their history. While doing this, check out how long they’ve been practicing law and the number of probate cases they’ve handled. The higher the number of years they’ve spent in the probate industry, the better. In most cases, experienced probate lawyers offer quality services.
Level Of Availability
You deserve a lawyer who is always available to attend to any issues regarding your case on time.
Additionally, it’s important to choose a lawyer who has their own team. Working alone can limit a lawyer’s availability and even increase the amount of time spent on a case. But when a lawyer has their own team, things will move along faster.
Good Reputation
In every industry, reputation matters. It’s even more important in the legal industry. If you choose a lawyer who has a history of not handling cases properly, it could affect the overall outcome of your case. Additionally, you also need to know whether the lawyer, in particular, has been fair in dealing with clients or not. You can know about a lawyer’s reputation by checking their website or search engine ratings.
Communication Skills
There’s nothing worse than being left in the dark about your case. So before going for a lawyer, you should consider communication skills. When a lawyer has good communication skills, it’ll be easy for them to communicate with you on the progress of your case. One of the ways you can know a lawyer has good communication skills is by studying how they communicate with you during the initial consultation.
Estate Scale
It’s also important to consider your estate scale when it comes to choosing a probate lawyer. The reality is that some probate lawyers are only experienced in dealing with small or medium-sized estates. So if your estate is large, you need to look for a lawyer who has dealt with that kind of case before.
Fees
Asking about their fees before hiring a probate lawyer is super important. Once you know the amount a lawyer is charging, you can easily decide if you can afford their service or not. However, before making your decision, it is advisable to ask multiple probate lawyers for quotes. Once you have these quotes, you can easily compare prices and know which is outrageous and which one is fair.
Also, always make sure these fees are clearly stated and, if possible, have it signed by them before agreeing to work with them.
When Is The Right Time To Hire A Probate Lawyer?
It’s better to hire a probate lawyer as soon as you decide to start a probate process. Probate cases are more complex than most people think. So it’s advisable not to take any steps until you hire a lawyer to put you through.
Once you find one you feel you can work with, you should set up a meeting with them immediately. This meeting can be done online or at their physical location.
In summary, make sure to take as much time as you need to examine a probate lawyer before you make your final decision.