Foster Thornton Welling determines their fees on a case-by-case basis based on the size and complexity of the matter. Fees for fiduciary services include the role of Successor Trustee of a Trust, Executor of a Will, Administrator of a Probate Estate, Conservator of the Estate, Agent Under Durable Power of Attorney for Finance, and Agent Under Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

We are willing to work with the client on a fee that is mutually acceptable. Our primary goal with respect to fees is to be flexible and come up with a solution that is acceptable to the client and to us, based on the work to be performed.

Matters under $5,000,000 are typically billed at our hourly rates. The rates are based on the background and experience of the fiduciary appointed. Our highly qualified staff spend considerable time on the administration of our matters, and we bill their time at lower hourly rates. The following are the ranges for our current hourly rates:

Licensed Fiduciaries – $195 to $310 per hour
Office Staff – $125 – $175 per hour

For matters that exceed $5,000,000 in assets under administration, services are typically billed on an annual fee based on a percentage of assets:

.5% $5,000,000-$25,000,000
.4% $25,000,000-$50,000,000
.3% $50,000,000-$75,000,000
.25% $75,000,000+

Fees for probate estates are statutory and are set by the California Probate Code:

Extraordinary services including, but not limited to, business and property transactions, income and estate tax reporting and disputes, and litigation involving trust and estate provisions or assets may incur additional fees.