FEES
January 1, 2008
We usually charge hourly fees. Each staff member has a billing rate assigned to them. The normal hourly rates for my work are:
Robert H. Chesley, Attorney $225
Karen Will, Legal Assistant $110
Work is billed in .1 hour segments. Time billed is “real time.” We do not use minimum segments for various activities. Certain types of work are billed at a flat rate to reflect the fact that an inordinate amount of time is spent with continuing research and legal education. Hourly fees are billed monthly. We do not bill for postage, mileage in Mankato, copying, or telephone expenses (including long distance charges.) Mileage outside of Mankato is billed at IRS reimbursement rates.
Our initial consultation fee is $200. This will be credited toward further services if those services are charged at a flat fee. Our usual flat fee charges for uncomplicated matters are:
Will Preparation (including Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives)
| Single Person | $500 |
| Married Couple | $750 |
| With trust provisions | $1,000-$1,500 |
Will Preparation (not including Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives)
| Single Person | $350 |
| Married Couple | $525 |
| Codicil - Single Person | $250 |
| Codicil - Married Couple | $375 |
Trusts (usually including Pourover Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives)
| Revocable | $1,600-$2,100 |
| A/B Trust | $2,000-$2,500 |
| Supplemental Needs Trust | $800-$1,100 |
| Special Needs Trust | $2,250-$2,800 |
Other Estate Planning
| Quit Claim Deeds (with legal description provided) | $250 plus recording fees |
| Powers of Attorney | $300 |
| Home visits | $200 extra each visit |
Medicaid/Medical Assistance
| Medical Assistance work-up, including initial consultation | $800 |
| Assistance with making transfers | Hourly |
| Follow-up conferences | Hourly |
| Family caregiver agreement (with evaluation and written report generated by licensed geriatric case manager) | $1,000 |
| Preparation and filing of Asset Assessment/Medical Assistance Application | Negotiated or hourly |
Decedent’s Estates
| Affidavits of Collection | $300 |
| Affidavit of Survivorship | $300 plus costs |
| Probate | Hourly, with $1,000 minimum, plus costs |
Guardianship and Conservatorship
| Uncontested Petitions | $2,500 plus costs |
| Emergency Petitions | Add $500 |
| Withdrawal of funds from Court controlled account | $400-$550 |
| Annual Accounts | $500 |
We are willing to quote flat fees in most cases. We welcome your discussion of various fee arrangements.
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