reasonable cost for probate?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I think Humble Opinions are the best forum for this. I’m aware of a recent case (a coworker)where the decedent has about $60K in a savings account intended to go to the heirs. It wasn’t POD or whatever…it looks like it has to go to probate, and is the only property to speak of. A lawyer is asking for $4500 to do the probate. There are 3 heirs and I don’t think there are any odd or complicating factors.

Is $4500 a reasonable rate. This is in KC Kansas.

2

I was Executor for my mother’s estate valued at about $400K in Virginia. Total Probate fees here were about $500 and I handled everything myself. Had I wanted to, I could have paid myself an Executor fee of 5% of the total estate value or about $20,000. In your scenario, using the 5% formula would give the lawyer $3,000 plus whatever the KC probate costs may be.

Food for thought.