How our fees work
At Klein Law Firm, you’ll know how you’ll be charged before any work begins. For estate planning in Colorado, Arizona, and California, we usually quote one flat fee. Probate, trust administration, and court work may be a flat fee or billed by the hour. After your first consultation, you get a written quote.
- Reviewed by
- Daniel R. Klein, attorney
- Last reviewed
This page is general information about Colorado and Arizona law as of . It is not legal advice.
How do our fees work?
You’ll know how you’ll be charged before any work begins. That’s true whether you want a will, a trust, or help settling a loved one’s estate.
What is a flat fee?
A flat fee is one set price for a clearly defined job, like preparing a will plan or a trust plan. You know the price up front. It doesn’t go up if the drafting takes longer than planned, as long as the job stays the same.
What is hourly billing?
With hourly billing, you pay for the time the lawyer and paralegal spend on your matter. It fits work that is hard to predict, like probate with many moving parts or a court case. Probate is the court process for settling an estate. You get regular bills that show the work done.
Some hourly work starts with a deposit that is held for you and used for bills as the work is done.
Which one will I pay?
We’ll tell you at your consultation. Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney are usually a flat fee. Disputes are usually billed by the hour. Probate and trust administration are explained below.
What affects the cost?
- How many documents you need, and whether you’re single or married.
- Whether you need a trust, and how many properties it will hold.
- Whether you own property in more than one state.
- Special situations, like a child with a disability, a family business, or a blended family.
- For probate, whether there’s a will, how much property and how many heirs there are, and whether anyone disagrees.
How do you get a quote?
- Reach out. Request a call with the form, or call us at 720-806-2069.
- Talk with us. Start with a complimentary consultation. We learn what you need and answer your questions.
- Get it in writing. You receive a written quote that lists the price, what’s included, and what isn’t.
- Decide. No work begins until you agree in writing. Take the time you need.
- Changes are discussed first. If your needs change along the way, we talk with you before any new cost.
Do fees differ from state to state?
We use the same approach to fees in every state where we work. Your quote depends on what you need, not on your address.
What should I bring to get a quote?
- A short list of what you’d like done, like a will, a trust, or help with probate.
- Any estate planning documents you’ve signed before.
- A general idea of what you own, and which states it’s in.
- For probate, the will, if there is one, and a copy of the death certificate.
You can also print our what to bring checklist.
Please don’t email private documents, like account statements or medical records. We’ll tell you how to share them safely.
What does a flat-fee plan include?
- A planning meeting to learn about your family and goals.
- Drafts of your documents, explained by Daniel R. Klein in terms you can understand.
- A review meeting to make changes before you sign.
- A signing meeting with the witnesses and notary your state requires.
- Copies of your signed documents.
- For trust plans, the funding help listed in your quote, such as preparing the deed for your home.
What costs extra?
- Court filing fees and county recording fees. Courts and counties set these, and they’re paid separately.
- Work outside your quote, like adding a new property or a second state later. We tell you the cost first.
- Settling an estate or trust after a death. That’s quoted on its own.
- Tax returns. Your CPA handles those, and we’re glad to work with them.
How are probate and trust administration fees set?
Settling an estate or a trust may be a flat fee or billed by the hour, depending on how predictable the work is. Trust administration is the work of settling a trust after a death. State law also sets a rule for what a personal representative may be paid.
In Colorado. A personal representative, the person who settles an estate, and their lawyer are entitled to reasonable pay. Colorado law sets no fixed percentage (C.R.S. 15-10-602).
In Arizona. A personal representative is entitled to reasonable pay and may choose to take none (A.R.S. 14-3719).
Questions people ask
What happens at the first meeting?
Your first meeting is a complimentary consultation. It’s a chance to tell us what you need, ask questions, and hear your options. At the end, we explain how your work would be charged. You’re under no obligation to hire us.
Will I know the cost before you start?
Yes. After your first meeting, you get a written quote that lists the price, what’s included, and what isn’t. No work begins until you agree in writing.
What isn’t included in a flat fee?
Court filing fees, county recording fees, and any other fees listed in our engagement agreement are separate. They are set by the courts and counties, not by us. Work outside your quote is also extra, like adding a new property later. If something new comes up, we tell you the cost before we do it.
Request a complimentary consultation
Tell us how to reach you. We’ll call you within one business day to set up your complimentary consultation.
Three short questions.
To request a consultation, call 720-806-2069 or visit kleinestatelaw.com/contact/
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